This afternoon I skipped into the food lab even more excited than usual. The recipes scheduled for today’s lab represent the epitome of French gastronomy, the soufflé and the omelet. Why was I so giddy to dig my hands into la cuisine francaise? Today was my opportunity to be Julia Child.

In recent weeks, I have been working on a report about My Life in France, the lauded memoir by Julia Child. My study of the culinary icon and her life has had me poring over the pages of Mastering the Art of French Cooking and watching old episodes of The French Chef , not to mention attempting to insert random French gastronomy terms into everyday conversation  (“Hmm Alton Brown’s recipe appears to include a beurre manie!”). I have also found myself anxious to try out French cooking for myself.

It was by mere coincidence that another of my classes (Principles of Foods) happened to be studying egg cookery this week, thereby presenting the chance to hone my omelet- and soufflé-making skills.

Now, I’ve made plenty of egg white omelets in my cooking experience, but I’ve never really studied the proper technique for doing so; rest assured that no French cookbook would list a recipe for a butter-free egg-white-only omelet. In contrast, the omelet I produced in class today required several eggs and over a tablespoon of butter. I also managed to master the art of the flip—the omelet rolled onto the plate quite easily, and I finished it off with a flourish of basil. ‘Twas quite delicious and rich.

The second recipe of the day was a chocolate soufflé. I have never even tasted a soufflé, much less made one. My only knowledge of the dish is that it was the first recipe my mother prepared for my father before they were married. (Sheesh, setting the standard high, Mumsy!). As it turns out, this recipe was relatively simple, and the final product looked and tasted much like a light and airy brownie.

Have you ever tried any classic French recipes? If not a soufflé or omelet, perhaps Boeuf Bourguignon?

Now onto my own recipes of the day…

There’s something about strawberries and coconut butter that is just so magical to my palate.

After the tasting in the food lab, I wasn’t exactly hungry for lunch, but I still managed to eat my packed meal—Curried Tofu Salad.

I came home in the mood for comfort food. Lentil Loaf fit the bill perfectly.

Now I have much studying to do (two tests on Thursday!), so ta-ta ‘til tomorrow.

Filed under: Meals