SmartShopIt Blog

Diane is a SmartShopit team member and new to blogging.  Well, not totally new.  She does help do a lot of the editing for this site.  This is her first post and is for a contest in the style of the upcoming movie “Julie & Julia”.  If you like the blog, please show her your support by going to the contest site and voting for her.  Your help is truly appreciated and we all look forward to the upcoming movie.

(The contest is over and Diane’s entry came in 4th out of 27 entries!  Several entries from seasoned food bloggers.  That’s a very respectable finish for her first time.  Thanks to all of you who voted and a bigger thanks to those who voted for Diane!)

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Biftek-Hache-a-La-Lyonnaise

Up until recently, I’ve been a fairly cautious person for various reasons.  I’m the kind who jumps under the covers during a thunderstorm and was scared of heights.  But I made a vow a few years ago to stretch my comfort zone.  Since then I’ve been traveling, zip-lining, snorkeling (tried scuba but couldn’t get the hang of that darn respirator) and hiking hanging bridges.  During a recent Weight Watchers meeting, our leader talked about the importance of venturing outside our comfort zones.  So I thought it’s time to also expand my culinary boundaries.  When I saw the posting for the Julia Child’s Cooking Contest, I knew I had found my new, unchartered territory.

To be honest, my comfort zone is baking – chocolate chip cookies are the most requested item in my repertoire.  Knowing Julia likes savory dishes I ventured to find something a bit different.  I came across the recipe for “Biftek Hache a La Lyonnaise,” and with a name like that, I knew it had to be interesting!  While I had never tried French cooking (do French fries count) before, and feeling a bit intimidated, I anxiously and excitedly began my journey.

I followed the recipe as closely as possible.  The most difficult part for me was the mincing of the onions.  Even with the assistance of the “Chopper,” my eyes began to tear.  It is my ongoing quest to find the solution to that unavoidable nuisance!  But they say one has to suffer some to grow, right?!

Regardless of the onion episode, I discovered a few helpful hints during the process:

• Using fresh thyme truly accents the flavor.
• The colder the patties, the easier they are to work with.
• It helps to wash hands frequently when working with the patties.

I had to sauté them in several batches as the recipe rendered quite a few hamburgers. To my surprise, they were delicious!  The sauce, especially, brought out their unique flavor.  Julia sure knew what she was talking about!!

If I were to make them again, I would cut down on the amount of salt.  While they are tasty, a little less salt would go a long way.

What are some of the things I learned going outside my comfort zone?

• Fresh ain’t so bad!
• It’s easier if you take things in small batches.
• To get the good things, you have to suffer a little.
• Stretching your culinary comfort, sometimes renders comfort food!

In keeping with this adventure, I can’t help but think of Julia Child’s infamous quote…”The only real stumbling block is fear of failure.  In cooking you’ve got to have a “What the hell?” attitude.”  With these infamous words, and after conquering this wonderful recipe, I now realize there is more to life than chocolate chip cookies!

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Filed under: Interesting & Fun, Recipes