Essential Pepin Season 1 Episode 8 Cozy Carbs

In the eighth episode of season 1 of Essential Pepin, titled "Cozy Carbs," Jacques Pepin takes viewers on a journey through some of his favorite carbohydrate-rich dishes that he believes are perfect for snuggling up with on a cozy evening.

The episode starts with Pepin showing viewers how to make a bread pudding with cherry jam. This dish is a perfect example of how Pepin uses leftovers in his cooking. He shows viewers how to use stale bread, eggs, milk, sugar, and cherry jam to create a delicious dessert. Pepin reveals that bread pudding is one of his go-to comfort foods, and he loves how it can be prepared ahead of time and put in the oven once dinner is finished.

Next up, Pepin demonstrates how to make noodles with mushrooms and tarragon. In this dish, Pepin uses handmade egg noodles to create a cozy and hearty meal. He shows viewers how to make the noodles from scratch, explaining how to mix the dough, roll it out, and cut it into perfect strips. The mushrooms are sautéed with garlic, shallots, and tarragon to create a savory sauce that perfectly complements the handmade noodles.

Pepin then moves on to his recipe for potato pancakes with smoked salmon and sour cream. These pancakes are a staple in Pepin's house and are perfect for a quick and easy dinner. He shows viewers how to grate the potatoes, mix them with egg, flour, and seasoning, and fry them in a pan until crispy and golden brown. The smoked salmon and sour cream add a touch of luxury and elevate the dish to something special.

Next, Pepin shows viewers how to make a butternut squash gratin. This dish is perfect for fall, with its comforting layers of roasted squash, cheese, and breadcrumbs. Pepin roasts the squash until tender, then layers it with a mixture of breadcrumbs, cheese, and cream. He then bakes the gratin until it is golden brown and bubbly.

The final dish on the episode is a classic French quiche. Pepin shows viewers how to make the pastry from scratch, explaining how to mix the dough, chill it, and roll it out into a flaky crust. The filling is made with eggs, cream, bacon, cheese, and seasoning, and is poured into the crust and baked until golden brown.

Throughout the episode, Pepin shares tips and tricks for making each dish, as well as anecdotes from his own life and career. Viewers can see Pepin's passion for food and cooking shine through in every recipe.

Overall, "Cozy Carbs" is a comforting and heartwarming episode that showcases Pepin's love of traditional, comforting dishes. From the bread pudding to the quiche, each recipe is designed to be shared with loved ones on a cozy evening in.