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What is a soup made by clarifying stock?

Published in Clarified Soup 3 mins read

A consommé is a type of clear soup made from richly flavored stock or broth that has undergone a clarification process.

Understanding Consommé

A consommé stands out in the culinary world for its exceptional clarity and intense flavor. Unlike other broths or stocks, which can appear cloudy due to impurities, a consommé is painstakingly clarified to remove all fat and sediment, resulting in a perfectly transparent liquid. This rigorous process concentrates the essence of the base ingredients, offering a deep and refined taste experience.

The Clarification Process

The key to a consommé's distinctive appearance and flavor lies in its unique clarification method. This process typically involves a "raft" of finely ground lean meat (often beef or chicken), mirepoix (a mixture of diced carrots, celery, and onions), tomato paste, herbs, and most crucially, egg whites.

Here's how the clarification generally works:

  1. Chilling the Stock: Begin with a cold, flavorful stock or broth.
  2. Creating the Raft: Combine the ground meat, finely diced vegetables, tomato paste, and whisked egg whites. The egg whites are vital as their proteins coagulate when heated, trapping impurities.
  3. Gentle Heating: The stock and raft mixture are gently heated over low to medium heat. As the temperature slowly rises, the egg whites begin to coagulate, forming a solid "raft" on top of the liquid, effectively trapping all the suspended particles and fat.
  4. Simmering: The mixture is allowed to gently simmer, not boil, for an extended period. This allows the raft to fully capture impurities while infusing the stock with the flavors of the raft ingredients.
  5. Straining: Once clarified, the consommé is carefully strained through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth. This ensures that no solid particles remain, yielding a crystal-clear liquid. The raft itself is discarded as it has served its purpose.

This meticulous process transforms an ordinary stock into an elegant and visually appealing soup, often considered a hallmark of classical French cuisine.

Key Characteristics of Consommé

Consommé is prized for several defining characteristics:

  • Exceptional Clarity: It is perfectly transparent, allowing light to pass through without any cloudiness.
  • Rich, Concentrated Flavor: The clarification process intensifies the underlying flavor of the stock, making it highly aromatic and deeply satisfying.
  • Delicate Texture: It has a light, clean mouthfeel, free from any greasiness or heaviness.
  • Versatility: While often served simply, it can be garnished with various small, precisely cut ingredients.

Culinary Uses and Examples

Consommé is a versatile soup, often served as an elegant appetizer or as a palate cleanser between courses. Its pure flavor makes it an excellent base for other dishes or a sophisticated standalone offering.

Type of Consommé Primary Flavor Base Common Garnishes (Examples)
Consommé de Bœuf Beef stock Brunoise vegetables, tiny pasta (e.g., pâtes d'ange)
Consommé de Volaille Chicken stock Diced chicken, julienned crêpes (Celestine), chervil
Consommé de Gibier Game stock (e.g., venison) Wild mushrooms, finely diced game meat
Consommé de Légumes Vegetable stock Small florets of broccoli or cauliflower, herb sprigs
Consommé Madrilène Tomato-infused chicken or beef stock Tomato concassé, chives, often served chilled

Consommé represents a peak of culinary refinement, demonstrating skill and patience in its preparation. It is a testament to how simple ingredients can be transformed into a truly exquisite dish through precise technique.