I have had a lot of fun cooking like Julia Child all this past week, but all good things must come to an end, Karen Karbo.
Based on the delightful chapter I read, anyone interested in cooking or Julia Child needs to get a copy of Karen's new book, Julia Child: Lessons on Savoring Life. It's not pedantic. It's entertaining. Julia Child was a remarkable woman.
I didn't cook any of her recipes today, but we had shrimp - which is definitely a treat - for dinner, and finished up the last of the chocolate mousse. The meal was an occasion, so I stuck to my vow. I will make the shrimp with garlic sometime soon.
Michael asked me just before bed tonight, "So are you finished with cooking like that woman now?" and I said, with some relief, YES. He looked disappointed.
"It's back to grilled cheeses Babydoll!" I wanted to holler, but I didn't.
I do think that families should follow the spirit of Julia Child and make meals more of a joyous occasion, not merely a shoveling in of food. I don't think I can keep up with the level of excellence she demonstrated in meals - nor can I digest all the rich foods all the time, frankly - but there is nothing wrong with reaching for excellence and trying new things sometimes.
So what if my chocolate mousse wasn't perfect? We all enjoyed it. it was a really lovely change of pace, as were the french onion soup, potato gratinee, cheese souffle, and tarte tatin. The French, they know how to eat!
We had a very late lunch, Michael and I, and I drank a beer, a Stella Artois. It was good, but I wish I had had a Sweetwater. I can't drink wine because it gives me a headache, and I only drink a mixed drink maybe once a year. I drink a beer once in a great while. Just one. He looked at me with some concern, but I explained I just wanted to taste the Stella Artois. When I was in Kazakhstan adopting Michael in 2007 one of the other adoptive parents was always drinking those, and I wanted to see what the fuss was about.
I have tried to tell Michael, and demonstrate, that a person can drink a beer or a glass of wine - or maybe even two - and NOT be drunk. His early life was that anyone who drank, did so in order to get drunk. The concept of "social drinking," is still hard to get across to him. I rarely drink more than 1 beer at a time, maybe once a month.
I spent a great deal of time this morning and early afternoon helping Michael complete an English project about Greek Mythology. He should get a B or better, hopefully. Having a meal out at Enzo's was his reward for working so hard at his schoolwork.They have a lovely outdoor seating area, too.
When we finally got to Enzo's, he inhaled a Philly sub. It wasn't French. I didn't make it, but no matter.
Bon Appetit!
