flambe
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To pour a distilled spirit, typically brandy, rum, or cognac, over prepared food and then ignite it briefly. This technique is used in cooking to add flavor and to create a dramatic presentation.
Usage
- The word flambe is used specifically to describe a culinary action. It is most commonly applied to desserts (like crêpes Suzette or bananas Foster) or certain meat dishes.
- It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the dish being flambéed).
- The act of flaming is brief; the alcohol burns off quickly, leaving its flavor without making the food taste strongly of liquor.
Examples
- Verb:
- The chef will flambe the bananas at the table for a spectacular effect.
- For the perfect finish, flambe the steak with a good brandy.
- We watched as the dessert was expertly flambéed.
Advanced Usage
- As a participial adjective (flambéed): Used to describe a dish that has been prepared using this technique.
- We ordered the flambéed cherries jubilee.
- In menu descriptions: Often appears in the names or descriptions of classic dishes.
- Peach Melba, flambéed with Grand Marnier.
Variants and Related Words
- Flambé (adjective): Can describe a dish served in this manner (e.g., "crêpes flambé").
- Flambéing (gerund/noun): The process or technique of flaming food.
- Proper flambéing requires caution and the right alcohol.
Synonyms
- Flame: A more general verb for setting something on fire, but it lacks the specific culinary connotation of adding flavor.
- Ignite: To set fire to, but not specific to food preparation.
Notes
- The word is often seen with an accent (flambé) in English, though the unaccented spelling (flambe) is also accepted.
- Safety is a key consideration when performing this technique; the alcohol should be warmed slightly before igniting to ensure a clean, controlled flame.
Verb
- pour liquor over and ignite (a dish)