Mirepoix (pronounced "meer-pwah") is a classic French combination of diced vegetables used as a flavor base for soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes. It typically consists of carrots, celery, and onions, cut into small, even pieces. The ratio of vegetables can vary depending on personal preference, but a common starting point is 2 parts carrots, 1 part celery, and 1 part onion. Mirepoix adds a subtle sweetness, earthiness, and depth of flavor to dishes, and it also helps to thicken sauces and stews.
In this article, you'll find three delicious recipes that showcase the versatility of mirepoix:
1. **Classic Mirepoix Soup:** This simple yet flavorful soup is made with mirepoix, chicken broth, and fresh herbs. It's a great way to warm up on a cold day or to use up leftover vegetables.
2. **Mirepoix-Crusted Salmon:** This elegant dish features salmon fillets coated in a crispy crust made from mirepoix, bread crumbs, and Parmesan cheese. It's perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal.
3. **Roasted Vegetable and Mirepoix Pasta:** This colorful and flavorful pasta dish is made with roasted vegetables, mirepoix, and a creamy sauce. It's a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and it's also a kid-friendly meal.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, these mirepoix recipes are sure to please. So gather your ingredients and let's get cooking!
MIREPOIX
This is Chef Gabriel Claycamp's (of Culinary Communion) recipe for basic mirepoix. Classically, mixepoix is used in stocks to enhance flavor, aroma, and balance, and is a mixture of 50% onion, 25% carrot, and 25% celery. Stock is a flavored liquid made by simmering roasted bones and aromatics in water. Please note that this is not a recipe designed to make stock, itself, but rather just introduces mirepoix basics. Recipe posted with permission.
Provided by Julesong
Categories Stocks
Time 15m
Yield 1 pound mirepoix
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Cut the vegetables into the appropriate size based on the cooking time of the dish (see note below).
- Makes 1 pound of mirepoix, and there should be 1 pound of mirepoix to each gallon of stock you're making (with the exception of vegetable stock, which uses 4 pounds).
- Note on vegetable cut sizes: for pork and beef use approx 3-inch chunks; for chicken, use large dice; for vegetable use small dice; for fish use minced.
- Beef: stock in about 15-20 hours.
- Pork: stock in about 12-15 hours.
- Chicken: stock in about 5-7 hours.
- Vegetable: stock in about 2-4 hours.
- Fish: stock in about 45 minutes.
BRAISED CHICKEN BREASTS ON TOASTED ENGLISH MUFFINS WITH VEGETABLE MIREPOIX, TOASTED PINE NUTS AND A ZUCCHINI, SUMMER SQUASH AND ONION MEDLEY
Steps:
- Wash and pat dry chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper and sear in a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Remove from pan and set aside. Drain the oil from pan.
- Using the same frying pan add 1 tablespoon olive oil and saute celery, diced onion and carrot. Cook through allowing the flavors to meld. Return the seared chicken breasts to the pan and add the chicken stock and the white wine. Bring the liquid to a simmer and cover. Simmer until the chicken breasts are cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove the lid and reduce the liquid until it is not so brothy. Season with salt and pepper.
- While the chicken is cooking, toast the English muffins and set aside. Toast the pine nuts in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt.
- Saute the remaining sliced onion, squash and zucchini, allowing for some browning. Stir gently while seasoning with salt, pepper and oregano. Continue cooking until squash is slightly browned and the onion is translucent.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the pan and place on the individual dinner plates. Take the toasted English muffins and soak up some of the pan juices. Using the chicken breast as a "lean to", place it so it faces the front of the plate. Add the sauteed zucchini mixture to the plate and cover the breast and the muffin with the vegetable mirepoix. Garnish with toasted pine nuts.
QUICK AND EASY MIREPOIX SOUP
I recently needed a soup for my daughter who wasn't feeling well. There was leftover ham in the fridge but my usual ham and potato soup included milk or cream, which is not the best thing for a touchy tummy, so this quick soup was born. The amount of the various ingredients is very flexible so don't worry if you use more or less of any one ingredient. The name comes from the traditional mix for Mirepoix which includes onions, celery, carrots and often ham or bacon.
Provided by PAFoodie
Categories Ham
Time 1h
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or soup pot.
- Saute the chopped onions and celery for 2 minutes.
- Add the garlic, grated carrot and ham.
- Continue sauting until the onion is golden.
- Add the chicken broth, thyme and pepper and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the potatoes simmer uncovered until the potatoes are soft.
- Add salt to taste and more pepper if needed.
- Note: Do not salt the soup until the potatoes are cooked. The amount of salt needed will vary depending on the the amount of salt in the chicken broth.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 223.1, Fat 8.2, SaturatedFat 1.4, Sodium 86.1, Carbohydrate 31.9, Fiber 4.1, Sugar 2.8, Protein 7.7
WHITE MIREPOIX
Chef Gabriel Claycamp's recipe for white mirepoix. Classically, mixepoix is used in stocks to enhance flavor, aroma, and balance. A white stock is made by simmering chicken or beef bones, vegetables, and aromatics in water. The stock remains relatively colorless during the cooking process. Please note that this is not a recipe designed to make stock, itself, but rather just introduces white mirepoix basics. Recipe posted with permission.
Provided by Julesong
Categories Clear Soup
Time 15m
Yield 1 pound mirepoix, approx
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Cut the vegetables into the appropriate size based on the cooking time of the dish (see note below).
- Makes just over 1 pound of mirepoix, and there should be 1 pound of mirepoix to each gallon of stock you're making (with the exception of vegetable stock, which uses 4 pounds).
- Note on vegetable cut sizes: for pork and beef use 3- inch chunks; for chicken, use large dice; for vegetable use small dice; for fish use minced.
- Beef: stock in about 15-20 hours.
- Pork: stock in about 12-15 hours.
- Chicken: stock in about 5-7 hours.
- Vegetable: stock in about 2-4 hours.
- Fish: stock in about 45 minutes.
EASY CHICKEN MIREPOIX
Steps:
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook it in the skillet on the skin side to brown it and to render the fat from the skin, about 15 min. Turn the chicken over and cook on the bone side for about 5 min. Remove and reserve the chicken. Pour off all but 2 Tbs. of the fat from the pan. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and prosciutto or ham and sauté until the onion is browned and the vegetables are softened, 8 to 10 min. Add the wine and chicken stock to the pan and stir to combine with vegetables. Put the chicken back into the pan. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover the skillet with a lid, and simmer the chicken in the sauce until cooked through, 20 to 25 min. Remove the chicken from the pan, turn the heat to high and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the volume of liquid by half, about 5 min. (or 6 to 7 min. if you want a thicker sauce). Add the cream, stir to combine, and remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the chicken to wide soup plates; taste and season the sauce with salt and pepper if necessary and spoon it over the chicken. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley.
ROASTED VEGETABLE MIREPOIX
Provided by Bryan Miller And Pierre Franey
Time 25m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a nonstick saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil, and cook the celery over medium-high heat, stirring, until it browns lightly. Remove the celery with a slotted spoon.
- Add the carrots to the same pan along with a little more oil if necessary. Cook over medium heat until they brown lightly. Remove the carrots with a slotted spoon.
- Add the onions to the same skillet with more oil if necessary. Brown lightly over medium heat for 4 minutes; then, add the celery and carrots. Cook for another 4 minutes. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon. Drain well.
- Return the vegetables to the saute pan with one tablespoon of the butter. Toss over medium heat, season with salt and pepper, and keep warm.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 85, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 6 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 238 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Choose fresh, high-quality vegetables: The fresher the vegetables, the better the flavor of your mirepoix.
- Cut your vegetables evenly: This will help them cook evenly.
- Don't crowd the pan: If you overcrowd the pan, the vegetables will steam instead of sautéing.
- Sauté the vegetables over medium heat: This will allow them to brown and caramelize, which will give them a richer flavor.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: They should be tender but still have a little bit of crunch.
- Use a variety of vegetables: This will give your mirepoix a more complex flavor. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, leeks, and parsnips.
- Season the mirepoix to taste: You can use salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, and other spices to flavor your mirepoix.
Conclusion:
Mirepoix is a versatile and flavorful ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's a great way to add flavor and depth to soups, stews, sauces, and casseroles. It can also be used as a base for roasting vegetables or as a topping for grilled meats. With a little practice, you can easily make delicious mirepoix at home.
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