Ep 17. Charcuterie
- G
- January 1, 2000
- 24 min
In Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home, season 1 episode 17, titled "Charcuterie," viewers are in for a treat as the dynamic duo of Julia Child and Jacques Pépin explore the world of cured meats.
The episode begins with Julia and Jacques introducing the art of charcuterie, which involves preserving meats through various techniques such as smoking, salting, and curing. Together, they discuss the history of this culinary practice and its importance in French cuisine.
The pair then proceeds to demonstrate how to make homemade sausage, starting with selecting the appropriate cuts of meat and sausage casings. Jacques expertly shows how to grind the meat and mix it with flavorful spices and herbs. Meanwhile, Julia provides insight into the importance of temperature control and safety when working with raw meat.
Next, viewers are taken on a tour of Jacques' personal charcuterie cellar, where he showcases his impressive collection of cured meats, including various types of sausages, pâtés, and terrines. Julia and Jacques explain how the different types of cured meats are made and provide recommendations for pairing them with different wines.
The episode then shifts focus to a popular French dish, pâté en croûte. Jacques demonstrates how to create the perfect flaky pastry crust, while Julia offers tips on how to prepare the filling, which consists of ground pork, veal, and ham. The pair then show how to assemble and bake the pâté en croûte, resulting in a stunning and delicious end product.
The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of quality ingredients when it comes to charcuterie. Julia and Jacques emphasize the value of using locally sourced, high-quality meats to achieve the best possible results.
Overall, "Charcuterie" is a fascinating episode that provides both insight into the history and techniques of charcuterie, as well as practical tips for viewers to replicate the dishes at home. Julia and Jacques' chemistry and expertise make for an entertaining and informative watch for anyone interested in French cuisine or the art of charcuterie.
