Mastering the Art of French Cooking Class

One of the things I've done a lot of this fall is teaching cooking classes. One series of classes is based on Julia Child's classic cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

The classes are held in conjunction with the lovely folks at Jewett Farms Studio in downtown Newburyport, MA. Their cabinetry showroom has a gorgeous demonstration kitchen, complete with a massive Viking range. So on October 18, twelve of us gathered for the first class, titled "Family Dinner". The menu - with all recipes taken from the cookbook:

Potage Parmentier / Potato-Leek Soup

Poulet Roti / Roast Chicken

Gratin Savoyard / Potato Gratin

Asperges Hollandaise / Asparagus with Hollandaise

Gateau de Crepes a la Normande / Flambeed Crepe "Cake" with Apples

I had decided earlier that these classes would be "hands-on" optional. The idea is that we'd all gather to prepare the meal and eat together and people could help if they wished. This was a nice compromise: folks could sit and chat sip wine, ask about recipes, or dive in or get their hand a little dirty with prep work.

As a group, we trussed chickens (check out Christian showing off his mad trussing skills), flipped crepes (go Annjea!), and assembled the cake. Egged on by my enthusiastic cheering section, I demoed whisking up a batch of hollandaise and flambeed the gateau. A full photo set from the night is here. We dined as a group and everyone was sent home with recipes, wine notes and a full belly.

We had a great night and a great meal. I am really looking forward to our next class on November 20 (Carbonnade, an oniony beef stew, is on the menu). It's already sold out, but there are still spaces available for our

December class (Roast duck, pear tart, remoulade) on December 11. Click here for a PDF flyer with the full menu and registration details.

Bon appetit!