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  • What is Blanching & How to Blanch Vegetables

What is Blanching & How to Blanch Vegetables

Posted on Apr 21st, 2015
by Paul Hegeman
Categories:
  • How To’s

Blanching essentially means to partially or fully cook foods in boiling water or stock. Items may be refreshed in ice water after being blanched or simply removed and served.

Blanching is used to soften some vegetables for further cooking in another form, i.e. cabbage for cabbage rolls or asparagus for grilling.

Blanching is the ideal way to cook green vegetables and enhances their color and flavor. It can also be used to slightly soften certain foods to facilitate the removal of their skins, i.e. tomatoes and almonds.

How to Blanch Vegetables:

  • Fill the pot with water and add a few pinches of salt.
  • Place on high heat.
  • If the food is to be consumed immediately after blanching skip the following step.
  • Half fill a large bowl or pot with ice cubes and add cold water until approx 2/3rds full.
  • Once the water is at a rapid boil add the vegetables or whatever foods you are blanching.
blanching_step1
  • Once the food is cooked to your liking, remove it from the water and immediately place it in the ice water, (this is the stage known as refreshing and arrests the cooking process and locks in the colour and flavour).
blanching_step2
  • Once the food is cool throughout it can be drained and set aside to be reheated later or eaten as is.
  • If blanching root vegetables of any kind, i.e. carrots, it is recommended that you place them in cold water and then place that on high heat until boiling then remove when desired tenderness is achieved.
how to blanch vegetables

Related: How To Pair Wines And Cheese
Related: How to Make Tomato Concassé (Explained by a Chef With Photos!)
Related: How to Poach an Egg

Paul Hegeman

Paul is a personal Chef to exclusive Sydney clients and is also our most frequently contributing writer. Paul was born in The Netherlands and moved to Canada at a very young age. Experience with traditional European meals at home and the diverse multicultural influence of foods in Canada gave Paul a great appreciation for different culinary styles. Over the years Paul traveled extensively and worked at every level of professional kitchens, from the deep fryer in the local burger joint, to the Head Chef in Five Star Hotels. He now resides full time in Sydney, Australia with his wife and their children. You will find his recipes emphasize natural, uncomplicated flavours and fresh ingredients such as those found in Mediterranean and South East Asian cuisines.

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