Julia Child Night!

So before I begin I must let you know that I am somewhat STILL in a food coma from all the delicious food that was devoured last night. On the menu was Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon served with a Strawberry Pie for dessert. And yes, no one could resist having seconds of everything!

To be honest, after seeing Julia & Julie I never would have attempted this recipe, but my friend Melodie was willing to go the distance! This is the same recipe that Julie burns in the oven because it has to bake for 4-5 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then it bakes an additional 40-50 minutes! The recipe itself is not as complicated as it looks, however it takes a lot of time and a lot of steps. After tasting this delicious meal I can vouch that the recipe IS worth the trouble! (p.s. getting the fancy french wine DOES make a difference as well!)

For dessert I attempted Julia Child's crust and crème pâtissière to make Strawberry Pie! I made my own glaze sauce however.

Crème Pâtissière

5 egg yolks
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups hot milk
1 tbsp butter
1 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract 

Place the egg yolks in a bowl, and with a wire whip gradually beat in the sugar. You can also use a KitchenAid Mixer. Continue beating for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is a thick, pale yellow.

Beat in the flour, then beat in the hot milk in a thin stream. Set over moderately high heat and stir slowly and continuously with a wire whip, reaching all over bottom and sides of pan, until mixture thickens. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat. Continue to cook about 2 more minutes while continuously stirring. As the the mixture thickens up, completely remove it from heat and add the butter and vanilla.

Pâte Sablèe

(For an 8-9 inch pie shell)

1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp baking powder
7 tbsp butter, cubed and chilled
1 egg beaten with 2 tsp water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

Place the flour, sugar and baking powder in a mixing bowl and mix, preferably with a KitchenAid. Next add the butter. If you do not have a KitchenAid, use a fork or pastry cutter for breaking up the butter. Once you have broken up the butter, add the egg and vanilla and mix until the dough is wet. Add more water if needed. The dough will look like a cookie dough. Chill the dough overnight.
Bake for 5-7 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.


Strawberry Glaze
1 cup granulated sugar
3 cups fresh mashed strawberries and fresh mint
3 tbsp corn starch
1/3 cup water
1 tbsp triple sec

Place the sugar and corn starch in a pot on medium heat. Stir for about 1 minute and then add the water and berry mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cooke about 2-3 minutes until thickened. Add the triple sec.
To put the whole pie together you will need to first put a layer of Pastry Cream on the pie shell once it has completely cooled. Next mix the strawberry glaze and another 3 cups of fresh chopped strawberries together, and place it on top of the Pastry Cream.

And of course, some classic "Julia"

Et voilà! Bon Appétit