Essential Pépin

Too often we plan a meal around the protein and forget that delicious sides can stand alone… Jacques demonstrates a step-by-step recipe of Risotto with Vegetables that can make a perfect vegetarian meal. Other dishes include traditional Darphin Potatoes, sometimes known as Rosti potatoes, and an all-American Skillet Sweet Potatoes recipe. Then, in the blink of an eye, Jacques stirs together a very flavorful Middle Eastern Green Couscous. He follows this with a Corn Polenta with Mushroom Ragout, a meal that even meat lovers will love.

Jacques lives close to the sea and has developed a taste for a variety of fins. He begins with a recipe, created by his long-term friend Jean-Claude, of Cured Salmon in Molasses. Jacques prepares it step-by-step so that everyone can learn to make this mouth-watering treat. Jacques follows with Tuna Steaks with Tapenade Coating and Tuna Tartare on Marinated Cucumbers – two very different preparations of the same fish. He also demonstrates a quick and easy Tuna Carpaccio. All this is followed by Poached Salmon in Ravigote Sauce. Then, utilizing skate, a fish that was often only used for bait, Jacques makes Ray Meunière with Mushrooms.

Jacques helps his daughter Claudine relinquish her fear of making pastry with his easy Tartelettes Aux Fruit Panaches. She goes on to assist her father in the kitchen as he makes his variation of the very traditional French, Tarte Tatin. Jacques then shares his mother’s recipe for Mémé’s Apple Tart using an unusual method to make the pastry. Finally his granddaughter Shorey joins him to make and taste Individual Chocolate Nut Pies.

Jacques loves vegetables and jokes that everything should be considered a vegetable, even chocolate cake! Joking aside, we all know that we don’t eat enough veggies and Jacques creates simple recipes to tempt even the most reluctant. He begins by sharing Ragout of Asparagus with his friend and back-kitchen chef, David Shalleck, and explains the recipe in a step-by-step process. He goes on to feature two gratins, a colorful Zucchini and Tomato Gratin and a creamy Cauliflower Gratin. A very special presentation features a staring lobster nestled in artichokes in Artichoke Hearts Helen and finally, a simple Corn Tempura that can be served alone or topped with smoked salmon (or even caviar.)

Never having tasted Cheesecake with Apricot-Blueberry Sauce until arriving in America, Jacques’ brother loved it! And this is the recipe that Jacques made for him on visits to the US. Jacques also prepares the classic and creamy Flan a la Vanille with Caramel-Cognac Sauce and a simple but decadent Chocolate Mousse. Lastly, he makes a creamy and delicious Bread and Butter Pudding.

Everyone loves fries, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Jacques shows chef and restaurant owner Loretta Keller his step-by-step way to the perfect French Fry. He moves on to make smooth and creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, just like his Aunt did years ago. Then another dish from his childhood, Potato Ragout. The refined version of scalloped potatoes, known as Gratin Dauphinoise is next and finally, a French classic, Cream Puff Potatoes.

Using the whole animal has always been the practice for Jacques and he assembles this make-ahead charcuterie favorite, using the oft forgotten liver in the Pork Liver Pâté step-by-step recipe. He follows this with a recipe designed to keep winter chills at bay, Roast Sausage with Potatoes. Next is the hearty yet chic dish of Braised Sweetbreads in Mirepoix, it’s full of diced vegetables. Finally, a substantial country recipe for Braised Tongue with Lentils.

Ricotta Dumplings with Red Pepper Sauce are light and fluffy dumplings that Jacques prepares for an easy lunch or supper. The Summer-y ingredients of eggplant and tomatoes combine to make Macaroni Beaucaire a satisfying meal. Classic Gnocchi Maison give Jacques the chance to share his technique for using a piping bag to shape the mixture. Jacques finishes the episode with his very own version of Linguine with Clam Sauce and Vegetables.

Crêpes a la Confiture are a childhood favorite of many a Frenchman including both Jacques and his best friend of 50 years, Jean-Claude. Jacques quickly makes the crepe batter for this tasty dessert as a step-by-step demonstration in the same time that it takes to heat the pan. The show continues with Orange Soufflé Crêpes that are baked until puffy in the oven. A spectacular Baked Alaska follows using simple ingredients that must be served straight from the oven because of the treat’s hidden frozen center. The show ends on a light note with a simply delicious Apricot and Pistachio Soufflé.

Jacques begins the step-by-step recipe with the supreme crustacean, Lobster in Artichoke Hearts. This sets the tone for a show filled with wonderful gifts from the sea. He explains that shrimp is now one of the most consumed seafood’s in the country and Shrimp Pané on Watercress is a recipe to make them shine. Jacques used to make Escoffier Quenelles when working with Pierre Franey at the Le Pavillon in New York and now makes them for us using a food processor to make light work of the task. Finally, he waxes poetic on the virtues of one of the ugliest fishes in the sea and makes Monkfish Roulade stuffed full of broccoli rabe.

There are times when Jacques craves a good steak, so he shows his colleague, Chef David Shalleck, how to perfectly cook and mark, Grilled Steak with Lemon-Thyme Butter. For large get-togethers or celebrations, Jacques’ Spicy Rib Roast packs a tangy rub and makes an impressive centerpiece. Veal Chops with Caper Sauce uses the under utilized fresh sage for an herbal note, while Braised Beef in Red Wine becomes a delicious meal from an often overlooked cut.

Because apples are available all year, we often forget how delicious they are freshly baked, all warm and puffy, straight from the oven. Jacques’ Good Lady Apples Bon Femme recipe satisfies all apple cravings with maple sweetened fruit. In this show, Jacques goes on to add basil leaves to a Stew of Red Summer Fruit to make a deliciously flavorful, fragrant dessert. He also prepares two more simple and tasty dishes: Braised Pears in a Caramel Sauce and Flambéed Bananas. Apples return as the main ingredient for the final dish of Apple Fritters.

Guest chef Roland Passot of La Folie Restaurant in San Francisco joins Jacques to taste Endive with Olives; Jacques demonstrates the method for making the dish in the step-by-step recipe. He moves on to prepare a hearty bowl of Stewed Navy Beans followed by a Gratin of Leeks before Roland joins him again to make the Classic Ratatouille and a country dish of Tomatoes Maison.