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Boeuf Bourguignon

Not just any boeuf bourguignon, but Julia Child's bouef bourguignon.

It sounds a lot sexier in French. Just try it. Say it out loud, once or twice. "Boeuf bourguignon." Hmmm...just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? Like silky lingerie falling onto the floor on Valentine's Day. In English, it's simply "beef stew in red wine, with bacon, onions and mushrooms." It doesn't sound remotely sexy. It doesn't even sound that delicious. But when Julia Child describes it...your mouth just can't help but water.

Carefully done, and perfectly flavored, it is certainly one of the most delicious beef dishes concocted by man...

The point to all this? My birthday is coming up. I requested the day off from work over a month ago, but I was still scheduled to work. I had a party all planned out (drinks and karaoke at a nice little place right on the beach) but I can't do that now. I mean, karaoke doesn't even start until 9:30 there, so doing that on a night before I have to work both my jobs is not an option.

So, instead, I am going to cook for my friends. I am going to make boeuf bourguinon. Most people would think that working over a hot stove all day is not a fun way to spend your birthday. I completely disagree. I can think of few things more fun than cooking. And there are few things more fun than mastering a challenging recipe and having people exclaim over how good it tastes. And if I get to do that, share a good meal with some of my favorite people, and down a few glasses of wine? I'll be ringing in my 24th year a very happy, contended, delighted girl.

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