Here is a little hint.
Do you know what it is now?
Did you guess?
This is my well worn and faded copy of Julia Child's Mastering The Art of French Cooking Volume One.
On the weekend I posted about seeing the movie Julie and Julia and I noticed Kim also had a post about it yesterday. It got me thinking and remembering all the times I had used this wonderful cookbook.
We got married in 1969 and this was one of the first cookbooks I got. It was the bible for anyone who wanted to be a "gourmet cook". At the time I didn't really know that it was a breakthrough in cooking for the cooks of North America. I just liked the recipes.
I used it a lot back in the day but seldom do anymore. We are more conscious of eating healthy and so many of the recipes are loaded with butter and cream !
In the 70s gourmet dinner parties were very popular and I was constantly turning to Julia for inspiration when we it was our turn to host the dinner. When I got out the book this morning and flipped through the pages, it automatically opened to a couple of recipes.
By the look of the mess on this page I made boeuf bourguignonne a lot!
Another favorite was crepes. I was quite the expert and could make them very thin. As you can see, this is also a well used page!
Here is my old fry pan with a copper bottom which I bought just for crepes.
I learned to make quiche and french onion soup. The soup is still a family favorite.
Wooden spoons and several sizes of whisks were a must.
The book jacket was lost long ago and as you can see the spine is very faded.
Seeing that movie reacquainted me with an old friend.
I had forgotten what an important part of my life that cookbook was and how much it influenced me as a cook.
When the weather turns cool I am going to make boeuf bourgignonne again. I think I'll put my old frying pan back into action and make some crepes one of these days too! 
It wasn't until I saw the movie and began to recall cooking from the book that I realized how much Julia Childs influenced me in my early days as a cook. Thank you Julia!
I had forgotten what an important part of my life that cookbook was and how much it influenced me as a cook.
When the weather turns cool I am going to make boeuf bourgignonne again. I think I'll put my old frying pan back into action and make some crepes one of these days too! 
It wasn't until I saw the movie and began to recall cooking from the book that I realized how much Julia Childs influenced me in my early days as a cook. Thank you Julia!Have you seen the movie?
Does the sight of Mastering The Art Of French Cooking bring back memories for anyone else?
Rhondi xo
What a BEAUTIFUL blog!! I recognized the fleur-de-lis, at least!!
ReplyDeleteSoft hug,
Rhonda in Montreal, who loves the two, highlighted recipes but who cooks "jamais" ;) :(
What a fabulous cookbook. I love that you've used it so much. I got an old cookbook published in the l930's as a wedding gift. It has all the basics for cooking plain everyday dishes and instructions on how to set a table. Such a fun book. It is still one of my favorites. I still havn't seen the movie, but I really want to. Thanks for sharing such a fun cookbook. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteEarl and I adore Julia and purchased Mastering the art of French cooking shortly after we wer married! Julia would tell you not to be afraid of the butter:>) she lived to a ripe old age with all the butter she ate! We just saw the movie and loved it!
ReplyDeleteLovely post!
ReplyDeleteWhile I remember Julia Child, I never had that book. I was blessed with a mother who is an exceptional cook, and I learned at her side, to make many of the dishes you mention. I didn't realize how lucky I was until I was a young officer's wife and had to prepare the first of many dinner party menus - while my friends moaned, I just got busy with some familiar dishes....and thanked my mum.
A lovely stroll down memory lane Rhondi. I never heard of Julia Childs but perhaps she was only in America was she?
ReplyDeleteThe favourite cookbook in my collection (and I have quite a few!) is one by a lady called Marguerite Patten and, of course, it was the first one I ever had. Some of the pages are disgusting and I'm sure it would fall open at certain well-thumbed pages if only those pages were not glued together with bits of this that and the other.
As I was pondering, I thought how much we rely nowadays on the freezer. We married in 1971 but I think it was 1980-something before I had a freezer.
love, Angie, xx
I received a copy of the book about the same time you did. In fact, there was a mis-print, so to speak. Some of the pages were missing in my copy and the publisher sent me a new copy. I'll have to go dig up my copy and display it. I remember sitting and watching Julia cook. Fascinated by this woman who knew so much and must have been born cooking. Who knew her wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteRhondi, I've missed you, but I've been swamped at work and at home.
ReplyDeleteI love Julia Childs, and my father adored her. He had her cookbook, and now I have it.
I've been staying inside, too, but today is so much better.
I'm just learning about Julia, Rhondi, through reading the book Julie and Julia. I hope to see the movie soon. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteShannon
Whenever I make an crepe-style omlet I think of Julia for she taught me how--or her TV show, back in 1977. I am anxious to see the movie. This is such a lovely post, Rhondi, and wonderful photos. I love the stained page in the cookbook! It all touches my heart! Enjoy the rain today! At least it's cooler!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! I never had that cook book. Now, I want to see if I can find one at the antique mall. I haven't seen the movie yet, but hope to soon.
ReplyDeletexo
Penny
p.s. go check on ebay for the going price of this book!!
ReplyDeleteI had never used this book, but did watch the show, her voice used to make me giggle. I so enjoyed this movie and can hardly wait for the DVD to come out.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I have never seen that cookbook. I am happy for you that it brings wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Love your blog! Your quilts are beautiful and very inspiring. I attended quilt classes with my sister just before she lost her life to cancer. We both went to make Mom happy and I kept up with it first for Mom's help and later to help Mom who has now lost most of her vision to macular degeneration. Those quilting times are precious memories for me. I could never tackle a large quilt, but try to add a quilted tablerunner to my mother's seasonal and holiday decorations each year.
ReplyDeleteHi, Rhondi, Thanks for visiting my blog Pinecones and Roses. I just checked yours out and I'll be back again soon. Please come back and check out mine again.
ReplyDeleteRhondi, Thanks you so much for stopping by my blog! I hope that you can take the time and hit the yard sale...it was quite enjoyable! =)
ReplyDeleteHow fun that you still have a cookbook from your early days of marriage, especially Julia Childs. And what stories I am sure your book can tell. It is always a blast to take a trip down memory lane.
~Jennifer
I'm looking forward to seeing this movie as I've heard only good things about it. Thank you for taking the time to visit Heart Choices. I love to meet new friends. And I love Daisy Cottage, don't you?
ReplyDeleteI really want to see that movie.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got married I was given the Betty Crocker Cookbook. Still have it and use it.
When my Son got married his wife just plain out told people that if they get her a cookbook she wanted Weight Watchers.
Willow
I used to use The Fanny Farmer cookbook. In fact I still do and have worn out three copies. I would have loved to have that book though. I always just adored Julia CHild!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see the movie. Loved watching her when I was younger! Great walk down memory lane!!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe cookbook is beautiful in and of itself. Julia was a treasure. I want to see the movie. I love a cookbook with spots on it. That means it was used and loved.
ReplyDeleteI am just sick, I sold my book right before she passed away! What was I thinking???? Laurie
ReplyDeleteRhondi...I'd forgotten this is where I saw the Julia Child's cook book. I watched for it when I saw the movie. I thought I'd like to see Julie and Julia, but after I read your post, I knew I HAD to! Thanx again.
ReplyDelete