Mastering the Art of French Cooking: Vol. 2

Mastering the Art of French Cooking #2

by Julia Child, Simone Beck

The beloved sequel to the bestselling classic,  Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume II presents more fantastic step-by-step French recipes for home cooks.

Working from the principle that “mastering any art is a continuing process,” Julia Child and Simone Beck gathered together a brilliant selection of new dishes to bring you to a yet higher level of culinary mastery.

They have searched out more of the classic dishes and regional specialties of France, and adapted them so that Americans, working with American ingredients, in American kitchens, can achieve the incomparable flavors and aromas that bring up a rush of memories—of lunch at a country inn in Provence, of an evening at a great Paris restaurant, of the essential cooking of France.

From French bread to salted goose, from peasant  ragoûts  to royal Napoleons, recipes are written with the same detail, exactness, and clarity that are the soul of  Mastering the Art of French Cooking .

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Reference, France, Culinary

648 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Julia Carolyn Child was an American chef, author, and television personality. She is recognized for having brought French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her subsequent television programs, the most notable of which was The French Chef, which premiered in 1963.

Reviews

[Janis Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Say what you will - out-dated, dense, whatever criticism you can offer - Mastering the Art... Vol. 1 & 2 are still the seminal books on the art of French cooking a la haute cuisine. I worked my way through Volume 1 years ago, when I thought my ex-husband (being Portuguese and having lived in France many years) would appreciate it. I stopped doing it for him when he poured Tabasco all over my Beef Bourguignon without tasting it first, but I continued cooking "Julia" for myself.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا]

Is it just me that can't imagine the real Julia Child as Julia? I only see Meryl Streep now!



Anyway, this book is beautifully detailed! I think Julia and Simone outdone themselves, it's detailed, generous and very well executed! It's remarkable to see what women can do when they set their minds on something, of course they got help from the people around them.



I love how invested Paul was in his wife's career and her love of cooking. Some of the illustration and all the photographs were made by him! Beautiful couple!

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second volume of MTAOFC is just as charming, extensive, and invaluable as the first. In fact, I would say I use volume 2 even more than volume 1- perhaps because I am a baker and dessert maker, and this volume (2) covers breads and desserts. I will never forget my first successful attempt at homemade baguettes. (After about 10 minutes of the smell of cooling bread filling the kitchen, I was tempted to rip open a loaf and have at it. Julia advises against that- 2-3 hours of cooling so "the bread will have time to compose itself.") Well used in my kitchen. Well recommended.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a review on the content which is excellent.

To be very brief here are the nitpicks regarding the specific imprint 9780241956472:

1. The book size is that of a novel (20cm x 13cm). To open it properly and follow a recipe, once would need to crack the spine and force it open at 180 degrees. It does not stay open at any one page without mechanical force holding it there.
2. The paper has the same newspaper feel as a mass paperback. The font is minute. The height of the non-caps letters is 1mm.
3. The book cover is not laminated and will gather kitchen stains very quickly.
4. Measurements are in ounces, inches, pints and quarts. There is a conversion table on page 18, but one needs to have a calculator handy

My idea of a decent cookbook is one that is resilient, pages stay open so that you can refer to it while cooking. Lamination also helps as stains can be wiped away. This is not the kind of book that you are going to refer to over the next 20 years, as it will have fallen apart and turned grimy after a month. Readabilty is also important, and a font of 1mm in height does not qualify.
This excellent book has been ruined by this silly layout/ formatting and "mass paperback" look. Rather go for the larger sized books with a hardcover. This one is a waste.

[Marjorie Campbell]

I am struggling with the format of this book. I reckon there are some gems of information here but the way the layout is set up is near impossible to follow. Love her prefix to each recipe and the descriptions of what might have gone wrong and techniques for how to succeed - it is how the ingredients and tools for each recipe are set out. Not in a format I am used to and thus I am tempted to write them out for myself in a format that I find useable. I will press on undaunted, however, because I hate when a book beats me! ;o)

[Clra · Rating 4 out of 5]

browsed thru it at the library - the section on baking bread is fantastic - detailed and very useful.
also saw the "beef case" in there - the way they described it as an ingenious dish that will even surprise the diners who have eaten everything - i lol'ed. enjoyed the unexpected wit there.

[Cigdem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried most of the recipes except the ones that require 7 hours in the kitchen. They all delivered and made me love French cooking even more. Now I need to read volume 1!

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is fun to flip through after reading "Dearie," though there are only so many recipes I would attempt, mostly in the chicken & eggs sections.

It's unbelievable how hard Julia Child worked on this book, but it's cool, too, how well documented the process was because of her letters to/from Avis DeVoto and others. Simone Beck worked very hard also, but Julia did all the typing, from what I understand.

[Jenny]

Ok, I can't say I've read it or even cooked anything from it yet, but I just picked up a used copy at a library book sale. Julia's writing is so sweet and funny, often unintentionally, and unlike any cookbooks being published today. Plus, her diplomat husband Paul does all the illustrations! Who can argue with that?

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed to be written for those unfamiliar with cooking and using a kitchen. The recipes seemed so long and daunting until you realized that the author wrote out nearly every detail, including listing a lid for your pot in the ingredients list. The recipes were interesting but didn't get my taste buds watering. Sorry, Julia fans.

[Matriarchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 1 has been in my life since I was a child, and I have an early edition in hardcover. I don't like to keep that family heirloom in the kitchen. Heat, moisture, and grease are bad for treasured books. But I recently found both volumes in this Knopf paperback re-issue - at the Goodwill for 25 cents each. Yay! Kitchen-safe volumes - and Volume 2 for the first time.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much like the first book but even less easier to follow. Again the recipes are quite retro. There is a lot of irrelavent information and again wouldnt be recommending it to the novice cook because it is just too much effort to read and follow.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as amazing as the first one, and I don't feel that this one stood on its own as well, but it's a interesting compliment if you enjoyed the first one. If you're only planning to buy one, get the first. If you get the first and become mildly obsessed with it, this is a solid followup.

[Dottie]

Volume Two finally came to stand by its mate on my shelf – I’m looking forward to learning from it as I did the first.

[Heath Robinson]

Next Julia's going to teach me how to master French bread. Can't wait to experiment.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book mainly for the French Bread recipe which proved quite complicated (twenty pages worth), but found it interesting.

[Karen B.]

On page 117 - two chapters down, now onto Eggs! Who knew it was possible to make your one mayonaise with olive oil. Now I want to try..

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't wait until I actually have time to try some of the recipes...

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much in here that we'd eat on a day to day basis; however, I loved reading Julia's words and learning her techniques. I would love to own the set.

[Hasanuddin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memasak adalah seni, penikmatnya adalah pengagum seni memasak :)

[Amy]

I love Julia!

[2bnallegory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have yet to dwell overmuch in this one, still looking over the first volume.

[Hed3rd · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must for everyone who enjoys their kitchen

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cookbook has stood the test of time, especially with the editing that was done when it was reissued. I have cooked several things from it with success.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only reason this is minus a star is because it often refers to Volume 1, which I don't have. Yet. (Found a pristine 1st edition of Volume 2 for $6, could not pass it up!)

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll cook my way through this lovely book the rest of my life.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a masterpiece of her time

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I confess I have several copies of this and vol. 1 in various paperback and hardback form, most secondhand and most well used, need I say more?

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never used it as much as vol. one, but you should have both if you want to cook with Aunt Julia.

[Amanda]

Dude! I found this at a used bookstore, first edition, for $7!!