Alone In The Kitchen With An Old Frenchman

Recently French chef Jacques Pépin turned 80 and retired. Over the years, he educated viewers of Public Television on how to cook and, something that no other cooking show host has done, techniques in the kitchen with wisdom, humor and a smattering of French lessons. As Gilad Edelman wrote in a Slate article, this man will teach you how to cook

All In The Family

Making memories with family is at the heart of Jacques’ kitchen and daughter, Claudine joins him at the stove to cook the classic recipes from his mother’s restaurant. Parisian Potage, a simple soup with flavors of yesteryear reminds Jacques of his beloved Lyon in France. The father-daughter duo continues with Poulet à la Crème paired with a perfectly pureed side of Rice Soubise. Granddaughter, Shorey, arrives just in time to make dessert, carefully watching as Jacques teaches her how to peel and segment an orange for Instant Orange Cake, a perfect citrus ending.

Poulet à la Crème

“Chicken in a cream sauce is a specialty of the town where I was born, Bourg-en-Bresse. My mother’s simple recipe included a whole cut-up chicken with water, a dash of flour, and a bit of cream to finish. I have added white wine and mushrooms to make the dish a bit more sophisticated, and used chicken thighs, which are the best part of the chicken (1 1/2 thighs per person should be a generous serving for a main course). A sprinkling of chopped tarragon at the end makes it more special, but it is optional. I am not sure my mother would approve of my changes, but this is easy, fast, and good. Most of the time, my mother served hers with rice pilaf.” —Jacques Pépin

Instant Orange Cake

“I made this dessert one evening when friends came by for drinks and didn’t leave. I found a pound cake in the freezer and a couple of oranges and some leftover mascarpone in the refrigerator, although crème fraîche or sour cream would have done as well. Often these impromptu dishes work out the best.” —Jacques Pépin