health
Cooking with Angela Hartnett: ‘I love food, but I don’t need to talk about it 24/7’
The star chef gives a masterclass in her home kitchen and shares the simple secrets to perfect poached chicken
TL;DR
- Angela Hartnett advocates for a calm, fluid approach to cooking, emphasizing movement without rushing.
- Key to perfect poached chicken is using a good quality bird, properly jointing it for even cooking, and generously salting the poaching water.
- Seasonal vegetables should be prepared to enhance their natural flavors and appearance, with attention to cutting techniques.
- Hartnett contrasts the 'machismo' stereotype of Michelin-starred kitchens with her own philosophy of a less aggressive, more fluid environment.
- She highlights the importance of sourcing local ingredients and understanding the nuances of cooking techniques like simmering.
- The chef also touches on her approach to recipe writing, acknowledging potential pitfalls of being an instinctive cook.
- Hartnett's favorite utensil is the 'spider,' useful for 'fishing things out of a pan.'