Quenelle facts for kids
A quenelle is a special kind of food. It's usually made from a smooth mix of fish or meat. Sometimes, breadcrumbs are added. This mix is held together with a little bit of egg.
Quenelles are shaped like a small egg. They are often cooked by poaching, which means gently cooking them in hot liquid. In the past, quenelles were often used as a fancy garnish in French cooking. Today, they are often served as the main dish, usually with a tasty sauce. You can find similar foods in many other cuisines around the world.
Sometimes, the word "quenelle" is also used for other foods shaped in the same way. This can include ice cream, sorbet, or even mashed potato!
What Does the Word "Quenelle" Mean?
The word "quenelle" has been used since about 1750. Most people agree that it comes from the German word Knödel. This German word means something like a noodle or a dumpling.
Pike Quenelles: A French Specialty
The cities of Lyon and Nantua in France are very famous for their quenelles de brochet. This means "pike quenelles," as they are made from pike fish. These special quenelles are often served with a sauce called sauce Nantua. This sauce is made from crayfish. Another popular sauce is sauce mousseline, which is a creamy sauce. After adding the sauce, the dish is often put under a grill to get a nice finish.
The classic dish is called quenelles de brochet Nantua. It features pike quenelles with sauce Nantua. Both pike fish and crayfish are very common in the Nantua area. A chef named Bontemps invented pike quenelles. He wanted to find a good way to use pike fish, which has many tiny, tricky bones.
Quenelles de brochet can be made in different ways. Most recipes start by making a "panade." This is like a thick white sauce. Then, the panade is mixed with the fish. This mixture is then pushed through a fine sieve, like a tamis, to make a smooth forcemeat. The quenelles are shaped from this forcemeat. Finally, they are poached. They can be served with various sauces or grilled.
See also
In Spanish: Quenelle para niños
