Entrée to Dessert is proud to have Sneha Singhi, a young talented Chef who made her mark by opening Paris Café in Kolkata. She has learnt the secrets of cooking greatness from arguably the best culinary Institute in the world – the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu. At Le Cordon Bleu Sneha explored the delicate world of gourmet cuisine, and learnt advanced baking and cake decoration. She went on to work under renowned pastry chef Pierre Hermé and luxury baker Ladurée.
Here’s an exclusive conversation with Sneha about French cuisine and more. Do not forget to try out her delicious Orange White Chocolate Cheesecake recipe.
Your café offers a huge variety of authentic Parisian delicacies. Can you share with our readers some basic equipments, techniques and information they need to know before they try making French food at home?
You need to use the freshest ingredients in store. French food doesn't essentially have too many spices the only spice used is black and white pepper. It's mandatory to have the best pepper and sea salt and butter at home while cooking any French dish. And wine of course goes without saying.
From Meringues to Macaroons, from Soufflés to Madeleine. Which is your favourite French dessert?
My favourite would definitely be macaroons. I love how intricately it's made and it just tastes amazing with all the different flavours. I also like it so much because we can experiment so much with it.
There are so many talented young home cooks and bakers in India who are pursuing a different academic course because they are scared to follow their true passion. Any advice you’d like to share with them?
If you think you have a knack for cooking or baking and wanna do something of your own. Just take the leap and do it because there'll never be a perfect time. It's now or never.
And lastly, would you like to share a simple, easy recipe for our readers to try at home?
Orange White Chocolate Cheesecake
INGREDIENTS
Crust:
METHOD:
· Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
· Combine the biscuit crumbs, cinnamon and sugar; pour in the melted butter and lightly mix with a fork until thoroughly combined.
· Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan; bake in preheated oven for 6 minutes.
· Remove from oven and set aside, immediately lower the oven temperature to 160 degrees.
· Melt the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over boiling water, stir constantly until melted; set aside and allow to cool slightly.
· With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on high speed until creamy.
· Add the sugar and continue to beat well, add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
· Fold in the melted chocolate, sour cream, orange zest and extract.
· Pour the mixture into prepared crust and place in 160 degree oven for 1 hour, turn off oven and allow cheesecake to remain in oven with door slightly ajar for 30 minutes.
· Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
· Cover and place in refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight. Garnish with oranges.
Here’s an exclusive conversation with Sneha about French cuisine and more. Do not forget to try out her delicious Orange White Chocolate Cheesecake recipe.
Your café offers a huge variety of authentic Parisian delicacies. Can you share with our readers some basic equipments, techniques and information they need to know before they try making French food at home?
You need to use the freshest ingredients in store. French food doesn't essentially have too many spices the only spice used is black and white pepper. It's mandatory to have the best pepper and sea salt and butter at home while cooking any French dish. And wine of course goes without saying.
From Meringues to Macaroons, from Soufflés to Madeleine. Which is your favourite French dessert?
My favourite would definitely be macaroons. I love how intricately it's made and it just tastes amazing with all the different flavours. I also like it so much because we can experiment so much with it.
There are so many talented young home cooks and bakers in India who are pursuing a different academic course because they are scared to follow their true passion. Any advice you’d like to share with them?
If you think you have a knack for cooking or baking and wanna do something of your own. Just take the leap and do it because there'll never be a perfect time. It's now or never.
And lastly, would you like to share a simple, easy recipe for our readers to try at home?
Orange White Chocolate Cheesecake
INGREDIENTS
Crust:
- 1 1⁄2cups digestive biscuits
- 1teaspoon cinnamon
- 3tablespoons brown sugar
- 1⁄4cup butter, melted
- 170 grams packages white baking chocolate
- 226 grams cream cheese, softened
- 170 grams sour cream
- 1⁄3cup sugar
- 3large eggs
- 2teaspoons orange extract
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest
METHOD:
· Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
· Combine the biscuit crumbs, cinnamon and sugar; pour in the melted butter and lightly mix with a fork until thoroughly combined.
· Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan; bake in preheated oven for 6 minutes.
· Remove from oven and set aside, immediately lower the oven temperature to 160 degrees.
· Melt the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over boiling water, stir constantly until melted; set aside and allow to cool slightly.
· With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on high speed until creamy.
· Add the sugar and continue to beat well, add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
· Fold in the melted chocolate, sour cream, orange zest and extract.
· Pour the mixture into prepared crust and place in 160 degree oven for 1 hour, turn off oven and allow cheesecake to remain in oven with door slightly ajar for 30 minutes.
· Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
· Cover and place in refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight. Garnish with oranges.