Essential Pepin

Essential Pepin Season 1 episodes

1. 01

   S01 E0115 October 2011

   Savory Staples

   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.

2. 02

   S01 E02

   Fabulous Fins

   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.

3. 03

   S01 E03

   Sweets For My Sweet

   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.

4. 04

   S01 E04

   Veg-In!

   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.

6. 05

   S01 E05

   Fine Finishes

   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.

7. 06

   S01 E06

   Special Spuds

   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.

8. 07

   S01 E07

   Economical Offal

   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.

9. 08

   S01 E08

   Cozy Carbs

   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.

11. 09

    S01 E09

    Classic Conclusions

    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.

12. 10

    S01 E10

    Easy and Elegant Seafood

    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.

13. 11

    S01 E11

    Cattle Call

    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.

14. 12

    S01 E12

    Fruit Fete

    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.

15. 13

    S01 E13

    Vegetable Bounty

    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.

16. 14

    S01 E14

    Family Favorites

    Jacques likes to celebrate his international roots when his daughter Claudine and granddaughter Shorey visit. A dish that reflects his time in the U.S., Grilled Leg of Lamb is prepared in a step-by-step demonstration and then shared with Shorey.

17. 15

    S01 E15

    All Puffed Up

    Jacques doesn’t like to waste anything…not even the dough trimmings from his puff pastry. He uses them to make cookies like Pigs Ears and Sugared Puff Paste Sticks in the episode’s opening segment. The show begins with Jacques’ own method for making Fast Puff Pastry.

18. 16

    S01 E16

    Shell-ebration

    Crab Cakes with Avocado Sauce are a hit with Jacques’ granddaughter Shorey, who shares a taste with him in the first segment. Then Jacques and Claudine reminisce about times-gone-by at the seashore hunting for clams and shellfish as they prepare dishes of Oysters Madison, named after the town where he lives, and...

19. 17

    S01 E17

    Rollin’ In Dough

    Simple flour and baking powder are pantry staples and the foundation of the step-by-step recipe for Soda Bread. Jacques goes on to add yeast to flour for a country bread called Gros Pain. He then makes a crusty Long Proofed Baguette. Next, Jacques adds butter to a rich dough to make a light and tender Brioche.

20. 18

    S01 E18

    Egg-ceptional

    Soft and creamy Mollet Eggs Florentine make a perfect and easy breakfast or lunch that Jacques shares with his best friend Jean-Claude in the program’s open. He continues with an egg theme featuring Eggs In Ramekins, Eggs En Cocotte and Scrambled Eggs In Bread Cases With Candied Oyster Mushrooms.

21. 19

    S01 E19

    Game Day

    Game might sound intimidating, but it’s much easier to find in stores these days. Jacques begins with a step-by-step demonstration of Venison Steaks in Sweet-Sour Sauce. It’s a simple recipe using cupboard staples to great effect. Next, his Skillet Duck with Red Oak Salad is a simple and delicious way to serve duck.

22. 20

    S01 E20

    Souper Soups For Supper

    Jacques’ step-by-step recipe of Tomato Chowder With Mollet Eggs is a simple soup that can be made in moments and embellished with a soft and creamy lightly cooked egg. The show continues as Jacques prepares Black Bean Soup With Bananas, a dish that pays tribute to his wife Gloria’s Puerto Rican heritage.

23. 21

    S01 E21

    Light As Air

    San Francisco pastry chef extraordinaire Emily Luchetti joins Jacques in the tease to admire his Meringue Shells With Chantilly Cream. He goes on to entice any sweet tooth with almond flavored Macaroons, simple and frugal to make.

24. 22

    S01 E22

    Good Catch!

    Jacques’ diet includes plenty of seafood. He loves to create recipes from flavorful Grilled Swordfish With Spicy Yogurt Sauce featured in the step-by-step recipe, to homey Baked Mackerel With Potatoes And Onions.

25. 23

    S01 E23

    Eggs-quisite

    Jacques follows his Aunt’s recipe for Quiche With Bacon using lard and butter in the dough without pre-baking the shell. He continues with the egg theme and prepares his mother’s unique dish of Eggs Jeannette, A savory and very tasty Flan With Green Herbs follows, so simple to make when fresh herbs are plentiful.

26. 24

    S01 E24

    Sweet Endings

    While Jacques’ long time friend Jean-Claude isn’t looking, Jacques crafts Chocolate Mint Trufflettes that meet excited approval from Jean-Claude. Together the pair make Quick Almond and Plum Cake using whole plums, expertly removing the pits without damaging the fruit.

27. 25

    S01 E25

    Ocean Options

    Brandade De Morue au Gratin is a dish Jacques regularly made for his mother-in-law. He demonstrates it in the step-by-step at the beginning of the show. He continues on with an elegant Sea Bass in Shredded Potato Skin, deliciously delicate sea bass encased in crisply cooked shredded potatoes.

28. 26

    S01 E26

    Fowl Play

    Bold flavors make Jacques’ Turkey Cutlets in Anchovy-Lemon Sauce a winner. Shorey, Jacques’ granddaughter, is ready to dive into her serving. Claudine assists her father as they make Grilled Chicken with Tarragon Butter.

Episode names, air dates, runtimes and summaries: TMDB. Air dates are the first broadcast anywhere.