Essential Pepin

Bold flavors make Jacques’ Turkey Cutlets in Anchovy-Lemon Sauce a winner and Shorey, Jacques’ granddaughter, is ready to dive into her serving. Then, Claudine assists her father as they make Grilled Chicken with Tarragon Butter. Lastly, Jacques reveals a simple way to bone out a chicken and makes a Ballotine of Chicken with Spinach Filling.

Jacques demonstrates Brandade de Morue au Gratin, a dish he regularly made for his mother-in-law. He continues with an elegant Sea Bass in Shredded Potato Skin, a flavorful broth poaching dainty filets of fish in Jacques’ Nage Courte of Striped Bass recipe--not nearly as complicated as it sounds--and Codfish in Olive Oil and Horseradish Sauce.

Jacques crafts Chocolate Mint Truffettes met with excited approval by a friend. Then together the pair make Quick Almond and Plum Cake using whole plums, expertly removing the pits. Crispy Tuiles a l’Orange follow--simple to make if you keep one eye on the oven while they bake! The same goes for the Summer Cornets Susie. They’re all desserts that impress guests, but don’t stress out the chefs.

Jacques follows his aunt’s recipe for Quiche with Bacon--lard and butter in the dough, no pre-baking the shell. He follows with his mother’s unique Eggs Jeannette. Then it’s a savory and very tasty Flan with Green Herbs, so simple to make when fresh herbs are plentiful, and a delicious Spinach, Ham and Parmesan Souffle, presented in a rectangular glass dish.

Jacques’ diet includes plenty of seafood. He loves recipes like flavorful Grilled Swordfish with Spicy Yogurt Sauce and homey Baked Mackerel with Potatoes and Onions. The stylish Seafood with “Handkerchiefs” highlights a wonderful seafood medley, and freshwater fish is represented with Poached Trout in Vegetable Broth--a very light and flavorful dish.

San Francisco pastry chef extraordinaire Emily Luchetti joins Jacques to admire his Meringue Shells with Chantilly Cream. He goes on to tempt any sweet tooth with simple, frugal almond flavored Macaroons. A light Chocolate Roll comes next and last, but by no means least, Emily joins him to make an irresistible Chocolate Souffle Cake with Raspberry Sauce.

Jacques’ 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. Then Jacques prepares Black Bean Soup with Bananas, a dish that pays tribute to his wife Gloria’s Puerto Rican heritage. Plus, two soups from his childhood: Garlic Soup and Onion Soup Lyonnaise-Style, followed by the classic French Consomme.

Game might sound intimidating, but it’s much easier to find in stores these days. Add some cupboard staples for something easy, like Venison Steaks in Sweet-Sour Sauce. Next, Skillet Duck with Read Oak Salad is simple and delicious. Finally, it’s rabbit two ways as Jacques separates a portion to roast and makes a stew with the rest in Sauteed Rabbit with Morels and Pearl Onions.

Soft and creamy Mollet Eggs Florentine make a perfect breakfast--or lunch--for Jacques to share with his best friend. Then, it’s an egg theme featuring Eggs in Ramekins, Eggs en Cocotte and Scrambled Eggs in Bread Cases with Candied Oyster Mushrooms. Finally, he demonstrates how to make various omelets: a classic Fines Herbs Omelet, an American Mushroom Omelet and a Flat Potato Omelet.

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, then makes a crusty Long Proofed Baguette. Next, Jacques adds butter to a rich dough to make a light and tender Brioche. Finally, he shows us how to use up any left-over bread by making Bread Galettes.

Jacques’ granddaughter loves Crab Cakes with Avocado Sauce, and Jacques and his daughter reminisce about hunting for clams and shellfish as they prepare Oysters Madison, Mussels Poulette and Gratinee using wild mussels. Finally, he breaks open some huge clams (after setting them in the freezer for a while) and prepares crispy Clam Fritters.

Jacques doesn’t like to waste anything--not even the dough trimmings from his puff pastry. He makes cookies like Pigs Ears and Sugared Puff Paste Sticks once he’s used his Fast Puff Pastry for Crystallized Puff Paste of Orange, Choux a la Crème and a traditional Chocolate Paris-Brest Cake.