15 Aug Happy Birthday, Julia – Online Dietitian Group Celebrates Julia Child’s Legacy
“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” ― Julia Child
Julia Child’s legacy is often associated with the wildly popular Julie & Julia blog, book, and movie. However, her impact on American cuisine is far greater than what a younger generation may realize.
Julia Child was a trailblazer who made French cooking accessible to the masses. Prior to her groundbreaking cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, French cuisine was largely considered inaccessible and intimidating. She was able to take something as mundane as spending time in the kitchen and transform it into a space for creativity and artistry.
Child’s infectious enthusiasm for food and cooking, along with her practical approach and humor, helped turn cooking from a dull chore into a fun and exciting activity. She helped to create a culture of culinary exploration and experimentation that continues to inspire home cooks and professional chefs alike. Her legacy has had a profound and lasting impact on American cuisine, and for that reason, she will always be remembered as a culinary icon.
Moreover, Julia Child’s legacy extended beyond just making French cooking accessible. She also made classic dishes like Boeuf Bourguignon achievable for anyone, regardless of their cooking skills.
As dietitians and online nutrition coaches, we dedicate a significant amount of time exploring not just what Americans eat, but also how they approach food. We often find ourselves wishing that Julia Child was still around to remind us of the importance of slowing down and savoring the art of cooking. Although she’s no longer with us, We’ll do our best to incorporate her timeless wisdom into our practice as well as here, on the blog.
- “You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces – just good food from fresh ingredients.” One of the keys to healthy eating is using fresh ingredients and cooking them in a way that preserves their natural flavors and nutrients. Keep things simple by focusing on wholesome, unprocessed foods, and experiment with herbs and spices to add flavor without relying on excess salt, sugar, or fat.
- “The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.” Don’t be afraid to try new recipes or experiment with different ingredients. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring or restrictive, and you can still enjoy a wide variety of foods while nourishing your body. And remember that healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, and nuts can also add flavor and nutrients to your meals.
- “The measure of achievement is not winning awards. It’s doing something that you appreciate, something you believe is worthwhile.” Eating healthy is part of living healthy, and it’s important to approach it with a positive mindset. Focus on the benefits of nourishing your body with wholesome, delicious food, rather than viewing healthy eating as a punishment or chore.
- “Cooking is like love; it should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” When it comes to healthy eating, take time to savor the flavors and textures of your food, and be present in the moment. Mindful eating can help you appreciate your food more fully and be more aware of when you’re full, which can help prevent overeating.
- “People who love to eat are always the best people.” Eating is one of life’s great pleasures, and enjoying your food can actually help you make healthier choices. When you take time to savor your food and appreciate its flavors, share family meals, and get into a French-frame-of-mind about eating, you may find that you’re more satisfied with smaller portions and less likely to snack mindlessly.
- “Everything in moderation … including moderation.” This highlights the importance of balance in our diets. It’s okay to indulge in treats and rich foods from time to time, as long as it’s not an everyday occurrence. Enjoying food is an important part of a healthy relationship with it, and depriving yourself of foods you enjoy can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food. Food is tradition. Food is culture. Food is family. This should be celebrated.
Today is Julia Child’s birthday. (She would’ve been 111 years old). And she DEFINITELY would’ve eaten a slice of her favorite cake. This probably isn’t the most conventional blog post from registered dietitians, but we think it’s an important one.
Happy Birthday, Julia.
One of Julia Child’s most famous recipes is “Boeuf Bourguignon,” a classic French dish made with beef braised in red wine, bacon, onions, and mushrooms. Here’s a simplified version of the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 6 slices bacon, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups red wine (preferably Burgundy)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
- Salt and pepper
- Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the olive oil to the bacon fat and heat over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the onion and garlic to the Dutch oven and sauté until translucent. Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour in the red wine and beef broth, and add the tomato paste, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- Return the beef and bacon to the Dutch oven and bring to a simmer. Cover and transfer to the oven.
- Bake for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- In a separate skillet, sauté the mushrooms until browned. Add the mushrooms to the Dutch oven and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy!