French Cooking with Love

Recently I've been thinking of Julia Child and her work to help the average American see that good cooking, (French cooking in particular) was really within their ability to create. That got me thinking of another talented cook... Sarah.

This was early last fall when Sarah did some French cooking for a school project. She picked the tomatoes, zucchini and crooked neck squash.

She chopped the onions and squash and sauteed them in olive oil. Then she added some minced garlic and gave it another stir. She cut up a lot of tomatoes and threw those in the pot too. Gave it some salt and pepper, put the lid on and let it simmer.

After about 45 minutes, she dished it up, put some parmesan cheese on top and served it with the braided bread she made. (She learned how to make the bread at activity days. Thank you activity day leaders... we love you!) Ratatouille and warm bread. Very nice.

A while later she made potage, which is just a French word for soup. For us, it means the yummy kind of soup you make with zucchini, cooked and then pureed with garlic, salt and pepper and some milk. Extra yummy with a shot of cream! We also grate swiss cheese and sprinkle that on top. The girls like it with some parmesan cheese too.

This is what Sarah made on New Year's Eve. Its called Coquilles St. Jacques. Shrimp and scallops in a heavenly cream sauce with swiss cheese and a few spices. Browned beautifully under the broiler till you nearly weep with joy. What a sinful way to ring in the new year. Thanks Sarah!

All of these dishes are ones that our family enjoyed eating at Grandma Marcelle's table. Sarah hadn't started cooking before Grandma got sick, but Rich's Mom taught me how to make these along with her delicious quiche and her chou a la creme (creme puffs). Not every girl gets a mother in law who really is a good French cook! Now Sarah is learning.

On New Year's Eve as Sarah was getting ready to serve her Coquilles St. Jacques, my mom gave Sarah this book. Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child.

"To Sarah because she is certain to be a wonderful cook. Be sure you always enjoy your time in the kitchen and you will make others happy with your efforts as well as yourself. With all my love, Grandma

...and in fond memory of your Grandma Marcelle"

My daughters were blessed to have lovely and talented grandmothers whose combined efforts represent an impressive repertoire of delicious food and an even more impressive legacy of love and devotion to their families.