I loved Julia – both in her early TV appearances – she originated the television cooking show while revolutionizing American cooking – and in her later shows when she cooked with other master chefs. This was reality TV in its infancy with all of the mistakes left in. What is your favorite Julia moment? The production line omelets? The lobster dinner with the gargantuan lobster?
With over 300 cookbooks, I of course, have a copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but I especially enjoyed My Life in France, written with Alex Prud’homme. In this book, Julia describes how she arrived in France with her husband Paul, after the war and to occupy her time, decided to enroll in the Cordon Bleu cooking school because she had no cooking skills at all at that point, nor did she speak French. Needless to say the experience changed her life and ultimately influenced so many other peoples’ lives. It is a warm and charming book, as was the author, herself.
So raise a glass today in a toast to this remarkable woman.
As Julia would say, “If you’re afraid of butter, use cream!” and “Bon Appetit!”
V-J Day – August 14, 1945 – This is the day that the surrender of Japan took place effectively ending World War II. Although the official surrender ceremony did not take place until September 2, of that year, when the surrender documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri. However, August 14, saw celebrations across the nation including Times Square where this famous photo was snapped by Alfred Eisenstaedt of Life Magazine. Eisenstaedt’s photo captured the jubilance that accompanied the announcement of the end of the fighting. Celebrations took place not only across the nation, but across the world among the Allies. Below, American servicemen and women celebrate in Paris on the Champs Elysees.
August 11 is Raspberry Tart Day. According to Punchbowl, tarts were first introduced in the Middle Ages. I think that may be when they were first introduced into society, but I suspect that those little tarts were around for a lot longer than that. This celebration, however, should focus more on the raspberries. The summer berry season is a short one and fresh red raspberries are a wonderful treat. So celebrate by giving someone you love the raspberries.
For future reference, Harry, it is raspberry…although of course, if I were a Death Eater, I would have been sure to research my own jam preferences before impersonating myself. ~ Albus Dumbledore
For crust:
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Using rubber spatula or fork, mix melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in medium bowl. Add flour and salt and stir until incorporated. Transfer dough to 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Using fingertips, press dough evenly onto sides and bottom of pan.
Bake crust until golden, about 18 minutes (crust will puff slightly while baking). Transfer crust to rack and cool in pan. Maintain oven temperature.
For filling:
Whisk sugar, eggs, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Add flour and vanilla; whisk until smooth. Cook butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until deep nutty brown (do not burn), stirring often, about 6 minutes. Immediately pour browned butter into glass measuring cup. Gradually whisk browned butter into sugar-egg mixture; whisk until well blended.
Arrange raspberries, pointed side up and close together in concentric circles, in bottom of cooled crust. Carefully pour browned butter mixture evenly over berries. Place tart on rimmed baking sheet. Bake tart until filling is puffed and golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool tart completely in pan on rack. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and store at room temperature.
Remove tart pan sides. Place tart on platter. Cut into wedges and serve.
The Coast Guard’s official history began on 4 August 1790 when President George Washington signed the Tariff Act that authorized the construction of ten vessels, referred to as “cutters,” to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling. Known variously through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as the “revenue cutters,” the “system of cutters,” and finally the Revenue Cutter Service, it expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew.
August 4, 1693 – The Night They Invented Champagne
Tradition has it that a monk invented champagne accidentally, leading to the fabled quotation, “Come quickly, I am tasting stars!” The story has probably been embellished over the years, but let us lift our glasses in a toast to whoever invented champagne, on this date in 1693, or some other time.
Today is Macedonian Republic Day and also the festival of St. Elijah. Elijah, in the Slavic tradition, comes with some history beyond Christian culture and is sometimes known at Elijah the Thunderer. His biblical ascension into heaven in a fiery chariot made him a natural analog to the Slavic pagan god of storms.
I came across this video in a reference on Why. Because Science. And it features my favorite astrophysicist. It also features Larry Krause and Richard Feynman.
I remember hearing this concept for the first time (for me) from Carl (Billions and Billions) Sagan on Cosmos.
This is the Pharos Lighthouse at Alexandria, site of the Battle of Alexandria on July 31, 30 BC. Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Alexandria was one of the greatest cities in the world under European influence for over 300 years. The battle, which pitted the forces of Octavian against those of Mark Antony, marked the end of Rome as a republic and the beginning of the empire. Mark Antony’s defeat at the battle let to his suicide, as well as that of Cleopatra. Alexandria’s fortunes ebbed and flowed over the centuries under the rule of Europeans, Arabs and the Ottoman Empire at various times. Modern Alexandria is a prosperous seaport and industrial center.
Ancient Alexandria
Modern Alexandria
Don’t get me started about the Library at Alexandria – you know how I get.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 