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

Dessert First!

When in doubt, start with dessert! It’s easy to do when you use a tortilla for the crust as Jacques does in his Crisp Pear Tart. Fresh bay scallops are shown in the shell at their very best (and become too tempting for Jacques who can’t resist nibbling on them) in the light and vibrant Bay Scallops in Mignonnette Sauce. For a homier dish, Jacques shares his comforting Sausage Patties with Pumpkin Seeds and Mushrooms served with Cornmeal Mush.

Minute Recipe: Savory Iceberg Cups

Printer-friendly recipe [pdf]

I fill everything from tortillas to wonton skins to phyllo with cheese, ham, salad, olives, sausage, or meatballs. For a light, crunchy, delicate, low-calorie wrap, I sometimes use the center leaves of iceberg lettuce, which are shaped like cups and are easy to fill, wrap, and eat.

Bay Scallops in Mignonnette Sauce (pdf)