Julie, Julia and Me

After my sister, Pam, saw the movie, "Julie and Julia", she posted the Boeuf Bourguignon recipe on Facebook. Intended as wry humor, I suggested that when we were together for Labor Day, we should make the recipe. My sister-in-law, Leslie, joined in with a "yes, let's do it!" and so we will be cooking. We do enjoy cooking together and who doesn't like an challenge.

Today I printed the ingredients list and the recipe. Oh, dear! The recipe is a whole page. Typed. Single-spaced. At the beginning it lists: Difficulty - difficult. Uhhhhh.... I said to myself, "Too late now, sister, get shopping." Off I went to the grocery store. Did you know that the butcher has "secret" meat in the back and will cut it anyway you like? Julia's recipe calls for one 6-ounce piece of chunk bacon and 3 pounds (yes, pounds) lean stewing beef, cut into 2-inch cubes. Should you tip the butcher?

After the grocery store, I headed to the wine store. I truly enjoy shopping for wine. This particular store had a European wine section. Julia's recipe suggested Beaujolais, Cotes du Rhone or Burgundy. I've had Burgundy and I'm not much of a fan, so I looked for the other two. We'll need a little extra wine beyond the recipe, of course. Here's what I found:

Louis Jadot - Beaujolais-Villages - 2006

J. Vidal-Fleury - Cotes du Rhone - 2006

Everyone arrives tomorrow and the cooking begins at 1:30 p.m. We'll take pictures and let you know how it goes.