Ready to cook like a pro? I’ve collected some of the best recipes from culinary icon Julia Child to help get you started.
These dishes are guaranteed to wow, and with this list of 9 top-tier options, you’ll be ready to take on the world.
1. Dauphinoise Potatoes
Seriously, pause what you’re doing and look at this potato recipe.
They’re like potatoes au gratin, but much more rich and creamy. These spuds are composed of thinly sliced potatoes, cream, butter, a bit of cheese, and thyme for extra aroma. You might be begging for a second helping with each bite.
2. French Crepes
Treat yourself this weekend and transform your cooking area into a Parisian cafe with this French crepes recipe. Learning the art of perfecting crepes can need a bit of patience, but you will be whipping these up constantly once you get the hang of it.
Chocolate, fruit, or various cheeses are good options to include. Crepes are adaptable, plus they’re wonderful and light.
3. Julia Child’s Coq au Vin
Though it may appear intimidating, this recipe is one of Julia’s most straightforward.
Coq au vin is basically just what it appears to be: chicken and wine. Slow-cooked chicken and veggies in a wine sauce, to be exact.
I recommend using the slow cooker for this dish, because it won’t detract from the experience. Plus, your home will smell wonderful as it cooks throughout the day.
4. Julia Child’s Madeleines
These French Madeleines are a must-have to complete any Julia Child meal.
The light cookies are enhanced with lemon zest and vanilla extract, which makes them the ideal ending to whatever you’re eating. Biting into one of these cookies is similar to being in a French bakery, particularly because of their adorable shell shape.
If you like them to turn out very real, you’ll like to buy molds.
5. Julia Child’s Chicken Breasts with Mushroom Cream Sauce
Oh my goodness, this dish is truly amazing. The chicken, cream, and mushrooms combine to create a really wonderful sauce.
I chose a crusty French bread to serve with this meal, and we were completely cleaning our plates by sopping up the sauce when we were finished.
Unsurprisingly, everyone at the dinner party asked for this recipe, and they were beyond excited to learn that it was from Julia Child.
6. Beef Bourguignon
It doesn’t get much more decadent than beef bourguignon. The slow-simmered beef dish features a creamy, wine-infused sauce that is to die for.
Cutting corners by preparing this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot is an option, but to prepare it the Julia Child way calls for a long, slow cooking period on the stovetop that will take you an entire day. But the resulting stew will more than make up for your efforts. You’ll be really happy with yourself after preparing this dish.
7. Potato Leek Soup
While this rich, velvety soup is a great vegetarian option, it still utilizes chicken stock and a splash of cream. To make it vegan, use vegetable stock instead, and leave out the cream, or use a cream substitute based on plants.
For the best texture for the soup, you’ll need a food mill, since it produces a more favorable consistency than a food processor or blender.
8. Quiche Lorraine
I am certain you’ve heard of quiche Lorraine. That’s all due to Julia Child, because her recipe is what made it so well-known.
This classic recipe is ideal for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner, because it’s prepared with bacon, eggs, onion, cream, three cheeses, and spices.
Use a store-bought pie crust to save time. No one will be aware that you didn’t make the filling completely from scratch because it’s so tasty.
9. Julia Child’s Roast Chicken
This is a great recipe to bring out when you’re hosting guests and want to impress them. Even though roast chicken is a simple dish, it’s a classic that everybody enjoys.
While it isn’t especially challenging, you should adhere to Julia’s recipe precisely, including rotating and basting the chicken, so the skin will turn out golden and nice. It’s hard to go wrong when serving with a baguette, a side salad, and roasted veggies.