JULIE, JULIA AND AMANDA

Last week K and I took a French cooking class that specialized in Julia Child French dish recipes. As you may know, there has been a renewed interest in JC's cookbooks since the popular movie that was based on a popular book that was based on a popular blog (see how it all comes home?)

Chef Amanda Cushman has a series of cooking classes in LA - a plug for her http://www.amandacooks.com/ -and we and 12 other food-loving acquaintances had a delightful time chopping sautéing - cracking eggs - salt and peppering - sipping wine and enjoying a fine meal together.

The menu:

Beouf Bourguignon (made with tri-tip in the essence of time)

brown sauce: butter, onion, carrot, beef broth, bay leaf, sprig thyme, tomato paste, S&P, 1/4 cup red wine

added and sauted: mushrooms, onions, salt pork

Braised Artichokes with White Wine, Garlic and Herbs

shallots, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic cloves, olive oil

Pommes de Terre Parisiennes

Idaho potatoes, peanut or vegetable oil, unsalted butter

Mini Chocolate Souffles with Vanilla Sauce

bittersweet chocolate, unsalted butter, eggs, egg yolks, sugar, flour

sauce: milk, cream, sugar, vanilla bean, egg yolks,

raspberries confectioner's sugar

the end result: YUM!