Here is the first interview of translators that cook.
Today's menu is no other than your humble host, Solène Binet, Sherlock of words and writer of this blog.
Solène BINET, EN/IT > FR translator
Who are you?
For those who don't know me yet, I'm Solène Binet, professional translator since September 2016 and owner of this blog.
I translate texts from English and Italian to French, mainly in the fields of marketing, medical, protection of the environment, IT, and food & wine.
I am of course passionate about cooking and baking.
What is your relationship with cooking?
Before I started my higher education, I was cooking from time to time at my parents'. I prepared mainly cakes for birthday parties, and simple dishes such as quiches or gratins.
Day by day, living alone, I started to become more and more curious about gastronomy and cooking. I was improvising (not always successfully!), making more and more complex dishes, and staying updated on foods and techniques. This is how I developed a true passion for cooking so much so as to look for what recipe to cook for my very next meal, even when I just finished eating!
What dish do you love cooking the most?
I love cooking pasta! I lived in Italy for almost a year, and I travelled in this country several times, so I particularly like this dish. Possibilities are endless, and each region, or even village, has its own recipe. A pasta dish can contain the whole story and traditions of a population, its terroir and its culture, or on the contrary break the codes and surprise us with brand new flavours.
And the least?
I've always had trouble cooking sea products... Sometimes my fish sticks to the pan, sometimes it's too cooked, sometimes not enough, it's a terrible ordeal for me! The only receipes of fish or seafood I manage to do well are shrimps and salmon (but I do not like salmon, ironically). Luckily, my partner is a real fan of sea products, he's always successful when cooking them (but has a desperate look in his eyes when I try to do the same).
What have you always wanted to know how to do in cooking (e.g. a technique or a dish)?
I have always wanted to learn how to make macarons. This only problem is, until recently, I had a gas oven. Not the more precise tool for baking! Now that I have a more recent oven, I'll be able to tackle this challenge that is (at least to me) Herculean!
What do you eat and/or drink while translating?
During the winter season, I love drinking coconut milk coffee and eating pecan nut. In summer, I'd rather have lemon water and cottage cheese with fresh fruits.
Bonus: Could you share a quick, easy, delicious recipe
A dish I tasted at my sister's when I went to visit her: quinoa salad with feta cheese and dry apricots. It goes perfectly with BBQ or picnics. Just cook the quinoa, and cut the feta cheese and paricots in dice.
Want to discover more translators that can cook? Chech out the other interviews under the #ThatTranslatorCanCook section of the blog!