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Essential Pepin

12 years ago

Just caught this show for the first time - is it old and in reruns?

My my, he made bread look so simple and all with this lovely mild french accent. And the way he chopped garlic. So matter of fact.

I liked the laid back approach such a relief after some of the newer cooking celebrities.

He's an older guy but I love french accents and his simple approach....I felt just a little swooney (new word:)

Comments (11)

sheesh
12 years ago
I've had a crush on Jacques for many years. Love his gentle style, simple techniques, delicious food. He was always very polite and respectful of Julia Child, even when he disagreed with her. I am in love with him...and Paul McCartney!
coconut_nj
12 years ago
Jacques Pepin is one of my all time favorite tv chefs. Well, chefs that have had tv shows. He's certainly not just a chef on tv. He was Charles De Gaulle's personal chef while he was head of state, as well as other head of state of France. His first tv shows were in the 80's. About 5 years before she died he did a show with Julia Child called Julia and Jacques Cook at Home. Pretty funny, those two. He's had a number of PBS shows over the years. He had his daughter working with him on several of them. The Essential Pepin is his latest PBS show. Think it just started airing last year.
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To the OP, the pans you linked from Amazon only just help with the shape of the folded omelet. They aren't really "making" the omelet other than helping with the folding part. What about the step after cracking the eggs, which is beating the eggs, and pouring them into the pan? What combination egg-cracker, omelette-pan would be able to beat the eggs? Would there be a teeny egg beater in the machine somewhere? I saw a retrospective of Julia Child where on one of her old black-and-white shows she cranked out omelet after omelet, on a little electric-coil burner, with a cheap aluminum frying pan, in just minutes. Your time saving efforts with some machine or special pan won't be very time saving. I will link a video to Jacques Pepin making an omelet in 2 minutes (though it kills me that he is using a metal fork in a teflon pan). Here is a link that might be useful: Jacques Pepin Makes an Omelet in 2 Minutes
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I think switching to cognac at the end sounds great. And stinky cheese. Taste buds will be dulled, anyway, and something that requires little sips and more just glass holding sounds good. Re the heavy reds, sometimes you have to serve your menu. With the progression you have, a good cab with the meat sounds great. Even with small servings and sorbet, people's tasters will be tired and mellowed. Something bold is called for. This might be a time to try modern tech kinds of glasses, but if not, definitely aerate the wine. It makes a huge difference. If they will just pass, rather than giving it a chance, maybe try an old vine wine, like a Spanish granacha? Very full bodied and flavorful, very "red", some tannins but not heavy with tannins like a cabernet. Excellent with beef.
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MichelleDT
12 years ago
How funny - I just ordered this cookbook (used for $5). I also ordered his Fast Food My Way (I think it was $4 plus shipping).
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
12 years ago
I have met him in person once. He is exactly the same in person.

I watch his shows all the time. I wish he would treat his daugther better on his shows. She is just like a hired help.

dcarch
lsr2002
12 years ago
I like him a lot also, although I'm sorry to read that about his daughter. I much prefer people who have a reputation for being genuinely nice in real life. I've seen quite a few of his TV shows but I don't think I've seen any with her.

I'm mainly posting here to say that a lot of his shows can be watched online. Just Google Jacques Pepin TV and you'll get links to most of his series. YouTube is also a great resource to watch him.

Lee
sayhellonow
12 years ago
I'm with you, sherrmann: Pepin and McCarthy, ooooh yeah!

I get the impression that Pepin would like for his daughter to be more interested in cooking, but I don't sense that she really is. A lovely young woman, for certain, but she just doesn't seem to be "into" it.
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
12 years ago
"---I am in love with him...and Paul McCartney! "

I have not seen Paul McCartney's cooking shows. :-)

dcarch
marys1000
Original Author
12 years ago
We'll seems like I've missed a lot of Pepin over the years. Will keep an eye out for him now.
anoriginal
12 years ago
He's on in my area of NJ at 2 different times most Saturdays... PBS & NJ Network. As for whether new or repeats, often half way thru and episode before I realize I've seen it before.

Have never met him (or Sir Paul)... but would love to! Have a feeling either would be good guests whether you were serving filet mignon or burgers!?!
cooksnsews
12 years ago
"Have never met him (or Sir Paul)... but would love to! Have a feeling either would be good guests whether you were serving filet mignon or burgers!?!"

Doubt it. Isn't Sir Paul vegan?
annie1992
12 years ago
I've never met either of them but I do like them both.

Elery bought me the book and DVD, and I love the book, I've been just paging through it. The DVD is VERY basic, I already know how to slice vegetables, etc., but I've given it to Ashley, we'll see if she ever uses it, LOL.

He got his start in the US at Howard Johnson's, according to the book!

Annie

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