Julia Child’s Coquilles Saint Jacques

Julia Child's Coquilles Saint Jacques

The Julia Child Annual Birthday Tribute
with
Coquilles Saint Jacques

Imagine Julia Child hosting her own birthday party today, August 15th. She’s invited you and four other girlfriends to an intimate luncheon at her home in Paris at 81 Rue de l’Université in the 7th arrondissement.

She begins the charming affair by serving her favorite cocktail, an upside-down martini. With naturally less alcohol than a traditional martini, Julia says, “The best thing about a reverse martini is that you can have two of them!” Oh gosh, this is going to be fun!

To start the meal, Julia chose her recipe for Coquilles St. Jacques à la Provençale, sea scallops gratinéed with wine, garlic, and herbs. Which she serves with crusty baguettes and chilled rosé. She says, “This good recipe may be prepared in advance and gratinéed just before serving.” Just a few minutes under the broiler, and her elegant little starter is ready to go!

 🌷🌷🌷Birthday Luncheon Menu 🌷🌷🌷

Starter Course
Coquilles Saint Jacques

Soup Course
Vichyssoise

Main Course
Sole Meunière

Dessert Course
Figs and Sabayon

Julia Child’s Coquilles Saint Jacques Recipe

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Ricotta Cake with Strawberries

Ricotta Cake with Strawberries 🍰🍓 Ricotta Cake with Strawberries 🍓🍰

Ricotta cake has its roots in Italian cuisine, particularly in the southern regions of Italy. It is traditionally made during special occasions and holidays but is enjoyed year-round for its delicious flavor and moist creamy texture.

Ricotta Cake with Strawberries

Relatively easy to prepare, the ingredients are straightforward and commonly found in most kitchens. It’s also versatile. You can add your favorite flavors such as lemon zest, chocolate chips, candied fruit, liqueur, or berries without altering the basic recipe significantly. This flexibility makes it fun to customize and experiment with different variations.

There are no special techniques involved to make this dense yet simultaneously fluffy cake. It’s as simple as mixing the ingredients in the right order and baking. As Ina would say, “How easy is that?”

Ricotta Cake Recipe

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Raw Scallop Amuse Bouche, Blood Orange Emulsion

Raw Scallop Amuse Bouche, Blood Orange Emulsion

Raw Scallop Amuse Bouche 💋
Blood Orange Emulsion 🍊

A pristine day-boat scallop with a vibrant blood orange emulsion makes an exquisite and sophisticated amuse-bouche, combining the delicate sweetness of the buttery scallop with the lively, citrusy zing of the blood orange. This elegant bite certainly exemplifies the essence of an amuse-bouche: a small yet impactful introduction to the meal.

Raw Scallop Amuse Bouche Recipe

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Wolfgang’s Carrot and Broccoli Rabe Terrine

Wolfgang's Carrot and Broccoli Rabe Terrine

Wolfgang’s Carrot and Broccoli Rabe
🥕🥦 Terrine 🥦🥕
Served with Savory Herb Sauce

Of his savory baked vegetable terrine, the Chef says,”It’s impressive and somewhat different.” With broad flavor appeal and a jaunty presentation, this Carrot and Broccoli Rabe Terrine is perfect for entertaining. And Wolfgang Puck sure knows a thing or two about entertaining. This year his catering company hosted Hollywood’s biggest after-party, the Academy Awards Governors Ball for the 30th year!

“To me, spending time in the kitchen should be effortless. It shouldn’t be complicated. It should be fun!” says Wolfgang on Facebook.

While the preparation of this terrine isn’t exactly effortless, it isn’t complicated, and the result is quite fun… Carrots, broccoli rabe, and cheddar are the primary flavors in this delightful layered loaf. Here, I add my umami-rich and creamy Savory Herb Sauce to complement the vegetables, adding another layer of flavors, texture, and herbaceousness.

Wolfgang's Carrot and Broccoli Rabe Terrine

Wolfgang’s Carrot and Broccoli Rabe Terrine Recipe

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Hearty-Style Shrimp Bisque Inspired by Emeril and Ina

Hearty-Style Shrimp Bisque Inspired by Emeril and Ina🦐 Hearty-Style Shrimp Bisque 🦐
Inspired by Emeril and Ina

With Emeril and Ina as inspiration, how could this Shrimp Bisque be anything short of fabulous?

Emeril Lagasse’s shrimp stock is robust and aromatic. In this recipe, another layer of depth is added by roasting the shrimp shells before making the stock. And not just any shrimp shells, but extra flavorful spot shrimp with some of their roe still attached. The result is a stock with a rich, deep color.

Ina Garten’s shrimp bisque is hearty and textured. She says in her video that she prefers a chunky-style to smooth, so she coarsely chops a shrimp and leek mixture flavored with both dry sherry and cognac in a food processor before adding it back to the creamy base.

Here, the bisque is garnished with extra-jumbo butterflied shrimp and complementary fresh thyme. Gulf shrimp aficionados are sure to be delighted…

Hearty-Style Shrimp Bisque Inspired by Emeril and Ina

Hearty-Style Shrimp Bisque Recipe

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