“The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook.” — Julia Child

Amen, Julia, we couldn't agree with you more. So toss the 100-calorie packs of whatever snacks you've got, pour the Diet Coke down the drain, and let's take a look at our favorite rich, French food. Low-fat, schmo-fat, I say.

Chevre and Walnut Tartlets: crisp puff pastry, creamy goat cheese and fresh figs cooked in port = richness redefined.

Hot Mussles: we'll take ours topped with buttery breadcrumbs, please.

Beef au Bleu: Julia might condone snacking on some celery sticks while you wait for your boeuf to cook.

"Belge-ette" De Veau: Loosely translated, this means veal in creamy, buttery, mushroom-y sauce.

Halibut With Brown Butter, Crushed Chickpeas With Olives and Roasted Cumin Carrots: Bonsoir, Monsieur Halibut Délicieux.

Happy birthday, Julia. Thanks for everyone you gave to us, the lessons, your recipes, hours of entertainment, and perhaps most of all, thank you for making it ok to crave fabulous, luscious food.

Get the best of Julia's shows on Cooking Channel and check out Laura Calder's French Food at Home for more French-spiration, and tell us here how you're celebrating Julia's birthday.