443443 Fri Sep 21 08:44:21 -0700 2007 8 31 Home Cooking 0 2962849 Where is a reputable place online to learn to make the classic French sauces? I have googled it. Truth is I am a bit of a simpleton in my cooking and wouldn't know a good French sauce recipe if I saw one. Thanks, Spencer Fri Sep 21 08:44:21 -0700 2007 13328 Spencer 1 2964414 I would suggest that you forget on-line sources and get yourself to your public library. Check out any number of Julia Child's books or the old New York Times Cook book by Claiborn and Freney. Jacques Pepin's La Technique is also a good source. Fri Sep 21 14:56:40 -0700 2007 2962849 10285 Candy 1 2964483 I second the recommendation to forget online and go for the dead-tree version. James Peterson's "Sauces" is excellent and encyclopedic, but short on pictures. Fri Sep 21 15:20:29 -0700 2007 2962849 42503 Richard L 2 2967565 I have Sauces by James Peterson. It is an excellent primer! Sun Sep 23 07:19:22 -0700 2007 2964483 13427 Ora 1 2964573 check out "The saucier's apprentice" By Sokolov A book Pablito Fri Sep 21 15:55:48 -0700 2007 2962849 119411 paul balbin 1 2966570 At least as helpful as books, if not more so, is to either take a rudimentary class or to rent/buy DVDs with demonstrations from the same people mentioned above. Julia Child would especially be good as her demos are specifically to those unfamiliar with classic technique. Jacques Pepin would also be a good one to look for. Once you have seen those who know how to do, books would provide a great follow-up and source for references. Sat Sep 22 15:36:48 -0700 2007 2962849 13900 kevine 1 2967209 You really don't want recipes so much as you need to learn the techniques for the basic sauces. Hot emulsions (hollandaise), cold emulsions (mayonnaise), blond roux (bechamel and velouté), dark roux and deglazing. Learn to do them by hand before you switch to blenders or food processors. They're the building blocks for all the complicated sauces so once you have the techniques down cold, you can then use recipes to create all the others. The books and videos recommended above are excellent sources. Many of us learned by watching Julia on public television. If you have the opportunity to take a class in sauces, go for it. This is one time that the Beginner's Eye is a great asset. You don't have to unlearn bad habits. There is no substitute for good technique well learned and constantly practiced. Sat Sep 22 21:44:35 -0700 2007 2962849 32444 MakingSense 1 2967661 Here is a video series that includes a section on "mother sauces" http://web.grcc.edu/angus/culinary_beginnings/culinary08.html# www.piealamona.blogspot.com Sun Sep 23 08:22:26 -0700 2007 2962849 65673 monavano 1 2968261 Lots of help. Thanks folks! Spencer Sun Sep 23 13:32:42 -0700 2007 2962849 13328 Spencer