Artist’s Palate: William Kentridge’s sole Véronique

Whether in charcoal-on-newsprint drawings or monumental sculptures, William Kentridge is a master of narrative, shining light on turbulent histories through hauntingly expressive forms. To mark a pair of retrospective shows in his native South Africa, we invited him to share his favourite dish, which comes with an appropriate dash of drama. Of the sole Véronique, an invention of the great Auguste Escoffier, Kentridge says, ‘In my childhood, when this was being prepared, it was always a sign of a grand dinner party. More recently, I have tried to make it, but it has never matched my memory of how it looked then.’
Ingredients
Serves 2
2 Dover or lemon sole, skinned and filleted
Salt and black pepper
10g butter
150 ml fish stock
150 ml vermouth or dry white wine
150ml whipping cream
100g seedless green grapes, each sliced in half
Method
Heat the oven to 180c. Season the fillets with a sprinkling of salt and a grinding of black pepper and roll them up as tightly as possible. Lightly butter a shallow ovenproof dish and place the fillets in it. Dot with pieces of butter. Pour the fish stock and vermouth around the fish, cover the dish with a piece of foil and bake for 20 minutes, or until just cooked.
Carefully strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan and cover the fish with the foil. Replace in the oven to keep warm. Bring the cooking liquid to a boil over a high heat and boil until reduced to about 100ml. Pour the cream into the pan and return to a simmer. Stir in the grapes and season the sauce with salt and pepper. Remove the fish from the oven and arrange on serving plates. Pour over the sauce and serve.
A version of this article originally featured in the October 2019 issue of Wallpaper* (W*247)
INFORMATION
‘Why Should I Hesitate?’ is showing from 24 August – 23 March at Zeitz MOCAA and Norval Foundation, Cape Town. zeitzmocaa.museum; norvalfoundation.org
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
TF Chan is a former editor of Wallpaper* (2020-23), where he was responsible for the monthly print magazine, planning, commissioning, editing and writing long-lead content across all pillars. He also played a leading role in multi-channel editorial franchises, such as Wallpaper’s annual Design Awards, Guest Editor takeovers and Next Generation series. He aims to create world-class, visually-driven content while championing diversity, international representation and social impact. TF joined Wallpaper* as an intern in January 2013, and served as its commissioning editor from 2017-20, winning a 30 under 30 New Talent Award from the Professional Publishers’ Association. Born and raised in Hong Kong, he holds an undergraduate degree in history from Princeton University.
-
Designer Marta de la Rica’s elegant Madrid studio is full of perfectly-pitched contradictions
The studio, or ‘the laboratory’ as de la Rica and her team call it, plays with colour, texture and scale in eminently rewarding ways
By Anna Solomon Published
-
‘Nothing just because it’s beautiful’: Performance artist Marina Abramović on turning her hand to furniture design
Marina Abramović has no qualms about describing her segue into design as a ‘domestication’. But, argues the ‘grandmother of performance art’ as she unveils a collection of chairs, something doesn’t have to be provocative to be meaningful
By Anna Solomon Published
-
A local’s guide to Los Angeles by defiant artist Fawn Rogers
Oregon-born, LA-based artist Fawn Rogers gives us a personal tour of her adopted city as it hosts its sixth edition of Frieze
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Artist’s Palate: Cerith Wyn Evans’ recipe for Laverbread
Deep-dive into Cerith Wyn Evans’ gleaming, gelatinous recipe for Laverbread, as seen in this month’s Artist’s Palate feature, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Last updated
-
Helen Pashgian’s recipe for summer corn
Try Light and Space artist Helen Pashgian’s characteristically precise recipe for ‘summer corn’, as seen in this month’s Artist’s Palate feature, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Last updated
-
Artist’s Palate: Dolce & Gabbana’s pasta alla Norma
‘We like the simplest recipes of the Sicilian tradition,’ say designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of their choice of pasta alla Norma for this month’s Artist’s Palate. Here, the recipe to make the definitively Italian dish yourself
By TF Chan Last updated
-
Artist’s Palate: Cooking Sections’ ‘Back to Earth’ tomatoes on toast
Enjoy Cooking Sections’ tomatoes on toast (pictured with a Seaweed Seeper), which is served at The Magazine alongside chickpea tabbouleh, and rhurbarb and quinoa cake. As seen in this month’s Artist’s Palate feature, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By TF Chan Last updated
-
Artist’s Palate: Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster’s recipe for omelette aux frites
Travel to a new dimension with Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster’s recipe for omelette aux frites. As seen in this month’s Artist’s Palate feature, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By Harriet Lloyd Smith Last updated
-
Artist’s Palate: Shilpa Gupta’s recipe for methi thepla
‘This simple homemade bread is my childhood favourite comfort food,’ says Mumbai-based artist Shilpa Gupta of her methi thepla recipe for this month’s Artist’s Palate feature, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Last updated
-
Bosco Sodi’s recipe for Brussels sprouts
Gather round for Bosco Sodi’s simple yet imposing recipe for Brussels sprouts.
By TF Chan Published
-
Mickalene Thomas’ recipe for duck with chimichurri
Try Mickalene Thomas’ take on a much-cherished recipe for duck with chimichurri. As featured in our monthly Artist’s Palate series, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated