Monday, August 13, 2012

Julia Child - Cleaning Up In The Kitchen


Everyone is writing, cooking and eating to honor the 100 birthday of the wonderful Julia Child. I have been a fan of hers from the very start of her TV career. I remember watching her TV show when they were being aired for the first time. Yes, that would be the early 1960’s and even as a  5 year old child, I loved her. I also remember what the Washington Post wrote about her style. “It wasn’t that she could do no wrong – it was that she made doing wrong so right!”  I love her!

So in honor of Julia’s 100th birthday, I pulled out my copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and started to see if there was SOMETHING I could make so I could be a part of the celebration. It’s been three years since my husband bought me her book, hoping that someday I would get motivated and make something French for dinner. To date that hasn’t happened. I opened the book to the introduction and read her outlook on life. I especially liked the part about -  “have a good time!”  

I then started browsing through the forward and found her advice on cleaning:
“Use all the pans, bowls and equipment you need, but soak them in water as soon as you are through with them. Clean up after yourself frequently to avoid confusion.”  And again “have a good time!”
Who knew that Julia not only was an expert at cooking but also had great tips for cleaning. (Although if you watch her show she usually threw things right on the floor!) Really, every good cook has to clean up their own mess, unless of course you’re a celebrity chef and have a staff to do that.  Sometimes I think that cleaning up is the real reason I don’t like cooking!

As I continued into the pages of her book I found a “recipe” on page four under A Note on Copper Pans. Julia writes: … there is the cleaning problem, as copper tarnishes quikly. Ther are fast modern copper cleaners available. A good homemade mixture is half a cup of white vinegar and ¼ cup each of table salt and scouring powder. Rub the mixture over the copper, using steel wool if the pot is badly tarnished, then rinse in hot water.  Alias, the woman we celebrate for her cooking skills also knew how to clean and realized its importance.

So in honor of Julia’s 100 birthday, I suggest you mix up this copper scrub, find a pot that needs attention and get to cleaning! While you’re cleaning that pot, sing happy birthday to Julia! It will be a great way to avoid confusion and to have a good time!

Happy Cleaning, Julia! 

14 comments:

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  2. yes... Happy Birthday to Julia! ... and Happy SITS Day to you! I've only known a few people that enjoy cleaning SOOOO much like you seem to do... hubby likes cleaning but his grandma... boy oh boy! she makes a whole "event" about it... she is sooo meticulous and thorough ... it's incredible! :) so I truly admire people like all of you! Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. yes... Happy Birthday to Julia! ... and Happy SITS Day to you! I've only known a few people that enjoy cleaning SOOOO much like you seem to do... hubby likes cleaning but his grandma... boy oh boy! she makes a whole "event" about it... she is sooo meticulous and thorough ... it's incredible! :) so I truly admire people like all of you! Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Paloma,
    Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear more about hubby's grandma. There is a lost art to how people used to clean and I'm collecting stories for my new book. I'd love yours!

    ReplyDelete
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  6. Anonymous10:27 AM

    Stopping in from SITS...I need to start taking more of Julia Child's advice! I'm terrible about cleaning while I cook & a huge sink of dishes piles up before I know it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gotta love Julia! Such an endearing personality, and obviously such a great cook.

    Dropping by from SITS! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow....love the blog. I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm new to cleaning (I guess the economy has forced more men into this area). I began a commercial cleaning business and I am considering branching ouot into residential as weel. As such I have begun surfing cleaning blogs and websites for tips (I know, I know, my life is too exciting....lol). there is some great stuff here, and I look forward to returning.

    Thanks,
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    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy birthday to Julia! :)
    I have to admit that I was pretty skeptical about some of her advice but they do really great job. Tested! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love Julia Child! I use to watch her show with my Grandma. It came on public TV in Oklahoma. PBS Channel 13. Public TV has the best programming!
    I especially love how Julia would mess up but not let it bother her and then continue the show. So cool without trying to be perfect. Awesome.

    I have started a green house cleaning company and with that I have further honed my cleaning skills.

    I do small areas in a circular motion, works every time. We use Green Seal certified cleaning products that are safe for the environment, People, and pets.

    Check us out at: www.yourlocalgreencleaners.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love Julia Child! I use to watch her show with my Grandma. It came on public TV in Oklahoma. PBS Channel 13. Public TV has the best programming!
    I especially love how Julia would mess up but not let it bother her and then continue the show. So cool without trying to be perfect. Awesome.

    I have started a green house cleaning company and with that I have further honed my cleaning skills.

    I do small areas in a circular motion, works every time. We use Green Seal certified cleaning products that are safe for the environment, People, and pets.

    Check us out at: www.yourlocalgreencleaners.com

    ReplyDelete
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