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We tend to think of French cooking as complex and hard to master, but Sarah Sharratt, host of Asian Food Channel’s cooking show Uprooted, says it’s a lot easier than meets the eye.
“Most of what people know about French food is based on their local fancy French restaurant or the article they read about a Michelin starred French chef,” says Sarah, a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef who moved to France from America. “But there is more to French cooking than just haute cuisine.”
Simple home cooking using fresh, seasonal ingredients is what French food is to many people. There is nothing better than a large pot of boeuf bourguignon stewing away on the stove during the afternoon that will be enjoyed with a delicious bottle of red wine, some crusty bread and good friends that evening.”
Uprooted sees Sarah navigating her way through her new life in rural France, to experience French culture, cooking, and friendships. It airs every Friday at 8pm on Asian Food Channel (StarHub Channel 435).
Here are Sarah’s seven key ingredients you should always have in your pantry to make French food:
1. Unsalted butter
"This is the most essential ingredient, as it forms the base for so many recipes both sweet and savoury," says Sarah.
2. Salt and pepper
"The key to cooking really good food is remembering to season it well."
3. Wine
"Wine adds incredible flavour to your cooking," says Sarah. "Whether you use red or white depends on the dish."
4. Fresh herbs
"Savoury French dishes almost always use some kind of herb, be it bay leaves, parsley or something more delicate like tarragon or chervil. Herbs add to the balance of flavours in a dish and always help with presentation, too."
5. Stock
"Many traditional French recipes require stock, usually chicken, beef or fish. Making your own large batch and frezing it is a great way to ensure you always have some on hand."
6. Cream
"The French love their dairy, and cream is often used as a finishing touch in sauces or soups. It adds a delightful richness."
7. Bread
"This is not an ingredietn, but it is a staple at every French meal. Now having lived here, I can honestly tell you that no meal is complete without a baguette (for both lunch and dinner). You cannot serve a delicious French meal without some crusty bread to help mop up the sauce or stew!"
Adapted from The Singapore Women's Weekly.