Bonjour, and welcome to my kitchen!
My name is Cécile (pronounced Say-Seal). I was born and raised in Paris and moved to New York with my family many years ago. Today I live in Miami, and I still cook the way I learned as a little girl: traditional, hearty French food for the people I love.
For a long time I worked in finance, so I never had much time (or energy!) to spend in the kitchen. Over the years I perfected my favorite recipes and adapted them to a busy life, with shortcuts I now share here for everyone who has better things to do than spend their entire day at the stove.
In a way, you could call me the "anti Julia Child". Hanging out in my French grandmothers' kitchens as a kid, tasting their bubbling stews and dipping bread in their sauces, I learned what authentic French cooking is about. It's not about painfully acquired techniques or a dozen pots and pans. It's about bringing out the best in your ingredients, experimenting and, most importantly, keeping things simple. Facile, as we say.
Françoise Burgaud's Mon Bouquin de Cuisine was my cooking bible: I made her boeuf bourguignon, blanquette and ratatouille over and over until I came up with my own modern, hassle-free versions. Since moving to the US I have also given my French touch to American classics, from mac 'n' cheese and meatloaf to a full Thanksgiving feast, and I collect ideas from my travels along the way.
My twelve (yes, twelve) cooking commandments
- Always pick the best ingredients.
- A little garlic goes a long way.
- When in doubt, add some chicken bouillon.
- If it's your kitchen, it's ok to boss people around.
- If you can do it in ten minutes instead of four hours, go for it.
- Leftovers are your weeknight saviors when properly recycled.
- If your guests are picky eaters, they're not worth the invitation.
- Butter and crème fraîche are the source of every good meal.
- Quality comfort food is 100 times better than pretentious hors d'oeuvres.
- Food without salt is depressing.
- Always taste your food during the cooking process.
- Just as for sex, practice makes perfect.
Bon appétit!
Cécile
