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Step into Julia Child’s shoes and cook a delectable beefless bourguignon rooted in French tradition.

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The Story: Julie & Julia (2009)

Julia Child revolutionized the American culinary scene with the publication of her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking. It gave many ordinary home cooks the confidence and skill to create delicious works of art inspired by French masters. Instead of glazing over important kitchen techniques and staples, the book spares no detail. Every recipe is meticulously outlined, so anyone—novice or expert—can follow along! Since its initial release in 1961, Mastering the Art of French Cooking has sold approximately 1.5 million copies.

Julie Powell inherited one of those beloved copies. At 30, she came to a crossroads: wallow in self-pity over her tiny New York apartment and soul-crushing job or make a positive change. Julie committed to cooking all 524 dishes from Mastering the Art of French Cooking in the span of one year. 365 days of recipes ranging from French Onion Soup and Beef Bourguignon to Pâté de Canard en Croûte (deboned duck baked in pastry). She documented every twist and turn in a series of blog posts. Eventually, Julie amassed a devoted following and went on to publish a memoir entitled Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously. Little did she know, her best-selling novel would be adapted for the screen, in conjunction with Julia Child’s autobiography My Life in France.

Written, produced, and directed by Nora Ephron, Julie & Julia (2009) became an instant classic. It parallels the lives of Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and Julie Powell (Amy Adams). Although from different eras, both women reach a turning point in their lives. Unhappy with the status quo, they embark on daring adventures.

My Take

You don’t have to enjoy cooking to love Julie & Julia. It is relatable in many, many ways. Everyone has hit a figurative wall at some point… Sometimes, our lives take unexpected turns—for better or worse. These experiences force us to stretch, adapt, and reinvent what’s possible. Julie Powell and Julia Child faced such challenges decades apart.

Food is at the top of the list, but this movie also covers a wide array of subjects: relationships, dreams, realities, careers, moves, diverse cultures, etc. One can’t help but identify with Julie and Julia’s respective struggles. My favorite lesson: when in doubt, just add butter!

A word of caution. Watching this film may elicit a Pavlovian response. You can practically taste and smell every dish.

The Recipe: Beefless Bourguignon

One important night, Julie Powell prepares Beef Bourguignon, a signature dish from Julia Child’s renowned cookbook. Unfortunately for her, the esteemed guests never arrive… Exhausted and heartbroken, Julie nearly gives up on her quest. A dead end. Haven’t we all reached one?

Instead of calling it quits, she perseveres. Julie decides to finish what she started. Not even deboning a duck can deter her from honoring Julia’s legacy! Thus, beef bourguignon symbolizes a true triumph.

Typically, this comforting French classic is a beef stew braised in red wine, especially Burgundy! Stock, carrot, white onion, tomato paste, and garlic complement the protein. Common toppings include pearl onions, mushrooms, bacon, and a lovely herb bouquet. That being said, everyone—ranging from carnivores to vegans and vegetarians—should be able to enjoy this French staple! As Julia herself would say, bon appétit!