Essential Pépin

Jacques demonstrates a step-by-step recipe of Risotto with Vegetables that can make a perfect vegetarian meal. Other dishes include traditional Dauphin Potatoes and an all-American Skillet Sweet Potato recipe. Then, Jacques stirs together a flavorful Middle Eastern Green Couscous. He follows this with a Corn Polenta with Mushroom Ragout, a meal that even meat lovers will love.

Jacques prepares Cured Salmon in Molasses, followed by Tuna Steaks with Tapenade Coating and Tuna Tartare on Marinated Cucumbers -- two different preparations of the same fish. He also demonstrates a quick and easy Tuna Carpaccio and Poached Salmon in Ravigote Sauce. Then, utilizing skate, Jacques makes Ray Meuniere with Mushrooms.

Jacques helps his daughter Claudine relinquish her fear of making pastry with his easy Tartelettes Aux Fruit Panaches, and then they prepare a very traditional French Tarte Tatin. Jacques shares his mother’s recipe for Meme’s Apple Tart, using an unusual method to make the pastry. Finally, his granddaughter, Shorey, joins him to make -- and taste – Individual Chocolate and Nut Pies.

Jacques creates simple recipes to tempt even the most reluctant veggie-eater. He begins by sharing Ragout of Asparagus, then features two gratins -- a Zucchini and Tomato Gratin and a creamy Cauliflower Gratin. Plus, Artichoke Hearts Helen and a simple Corn Tempura that can be served alone or topped with smoked salmon (or even caviar).

Jacques shares an American favorite – Cheesecake with Apricot-Blueberry Sauce. Jacques also prepares the classic and creamy Flan a la Vanille with Caramel-Cognac Sauce and a simple but decadent Chocolate Mousse. Finally, he makes a creamy and delicious Bread and Butter Pudding.

Jacques shows chef and restaurant owner Loretta Keller his step-by-step way to the perfect French Fry. He then makes smooth and creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, just like his aunt did years ago. Then another dish from his childhood, Potato Ragout. The refined version of scalloped potatoes, known as Gratin Dauphinoise, is next and finally, a French classic, Cream Puff Potatoes.

Jacques assembles a make-ahead charcuterie favorite, using the oft-forgotten liver in a recipe for Pork Liver Pate. He follows this with a recipe designed to keep winter chills at bay, Roast Sausage with Potatoes. Next is the hearty yet chic dish of Braised Sweetbreads in Mirepoix, it’s full of diced vegetables. Finally, a substantial country recipe for Braised Tongue with Lentils.

Ricotta Dumplings with Red Pepper Sauce are light and fluffy dumplings that make an easy lunch or supper. Eggplant and tomatoes combine to make Macaroni Beaucaire a satisfying meal. Classic Gnocchi Maison give Jacques the chance to share his technique for using a piping bag to shape the mixture. Jacques finishes with his own version of Linguine with Clam Sauce and Vegetables.

Crepes a la Confiture are a childhood favorite of many French people, including Jacques. Jacques quickly makes the crepe batter in the time that it takes to heat the pan. Then its Orange Souffle Crepes that are baked until puffy and a Baked Alaska that must be served straight from the oven because of the treat’s hidden frozen center. The last recipe is a delicious Apricot and Pistachio Souffle.

Jacques makes Lobster in Artichoke Hearts and then Shrimp Pane on Watercress. Jacques used to make Escoffier Quenelles when working with Pierre Franey at the Le Pavillon in New York and now makes them using a food processor to make light work of the task. Finally, he waxes poetic on the virtues of one of the ugliest fishes in the sea and makes Monkfish Roulade stuffed full of broccoli rabe.

There are times when Jacques craves a good steak, so he cooks a perfect Grilled Steak with Lemon-Thyme Butter. For large get-togethers or celebrations, Jacques’ Spicy Rib Roast packs a tangy rub and makes an impressive centerpiece. Veal Chops with Caper Sauce uses the under-utilized fresh sage for an herbal note, while Braised Beef in Red Wine becomes a delicious meal from an often-overlooked cut.

Jacques’ Good Lady Apples Bon Femme recipe satisfies all apple cravings with maple-sweetened fruit. Then Jacques adds basil leaves to a Stew of Red Summer Fruit to make a deliciously flavorful, fragrant dessert. He also prepares two more simple and tasty dishes: Braised Pears in a Caramel Sauce and Flambeed Bananas. Apples return as the main ingredient for the final dish of Apple Fritters.

Guest chef Roland Passot of La Folie Restaurant in San Francisco joins Jacques to taste Endive with Olives. He then prepares a hearty bowl of Stewed Navy Beans followed by a Gratin of Leeks before Roland joins him again to make the Classic Ratatouille and a country dish of Tomatoes Maison.

Jacques likes to celebrate his international roots when his daughter Claudine and granddaughter Shorey visit. Grilled Leg of Lamb reflects his time in the U.S., and Pork Loin Tournedos with Cream and Calvados represents his French heritage. Puerto Rican Pork and Beans honors his wife Gloria’s family, and Jacques ends the show with a stew that his mother used to make, Lamb Navarin.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’ 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.

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 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.