Delicious Blanquette de Veau, But What to Serve With It? Find Out Here!

Blanquette de Veau, a quintessential French dish, exudes elegance and comforting richness. This creamy, delicate veal stew, characterized by its velvety white sauce and tender meat, is a culinary masterpiece. However, the success of a meal often hinges not only on the main course but also on the accompanying dishes that complement and enhance its flavors. Choosing the right side dishes, appetizers, and wines can elevate the blanquette de veau experience from simply satisfying to truly unforgettable. This comprehensive guide explores the art of pairing, offering a curated selection of accompaniments that will transform your blanquette de veau into a symphony of taste and texture.

Understanding the Blanquette’s Profile

Before delving into specific pairings, it’s crucial to understand the inherent characteristics of blanquette de veau. The dish boasts a creamy, rich sauce, typically made with butter, flour, veal stock, and cream, often enriched with egg yolks. The veal itself is tender and subtly flavored, allowing the sauce to take center stage. Common additions like mushrooms and small onions contribute earthy and slightly sweet notes.

Considering these elements, the ideal accompaniments should offer a balance to the richness, providing textural contrast and complementary flavors that enhance the overall experience without overpowering the star of the show.

Classic Side Dish Selections

The most traditional pairings for blanquette de veau often revolve around simple, elegant side dishes that allow the stew’s delicate flavors to shine.

• Steamed Rice: This is perhaps the most ubiquitous and reliable choice. The neutral flavor of perfectly cooked rice provides a clean canvas, soaking up the creamy sauce and offering a comforting textural counterpoint to the tender veal. Opt for a long-grain variety like basmati or jasmine for a light and fluffy texture.

• Buttered Noodles: Another classic option, buttered noodles offer a similar function to rice, providing a starchy base to absorb the sauce. Choose a delicate noodle shape, like tagliatelle or fettuccine, and ensure they are cooked al dente. A light coating of butter and a sprinkle of fresh parsley are all that’s needed.

• Potatoes (Various Preparations): Potatoes offer versatility and can be prepared in several ways to complement blanquette de veau.

• Mashed Potatoes: Light and fluffy mashed potatoes, enriched with butter and cream, create a harmonious pairing with the stew’s creamy sauce.
• Roasted Potatoes: Small, roasted potatoes with herbs like thyme or rosemary provide a more rustic and flavorful option. Their crispy exterior offers a pleasant textural contrast.
• Boiled Potatoes: Simple boiled potatoes, tossed with butter and parsley, are a straightforward and satisfying choice.

Vegetable Accompaniments

Adding a vegetable side dish introduces freshness and balance to the meal.

• Steamed Asparagus: The slightly bitter and grassy notes of asparagus provide a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the blanquette. Lightly steamed and drizzled with olive oil or butter, asparagus is a simple yet elegant choice.

• Green Beans Almondine: Green beans, blanched and then sautéed with butter and toasted almonds, offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The crisp-tender beans and crunchy almonds add a welcome contrast to the creamy stew.

• Sautéed Spinach: A simple sautéed spinach, seasoned with garlic and a touch of lemon juice, provides a healthy and flavorful accompaniment. The slight acidity of the lemon cuts through the richness of the sauce.

• Glazed Carrots: The sweetness of glazed carrots offers a delightful contrast to the savory flavors of the blanquette. A simple glaze of butter, sugar, and a touch of water creates a tender and flavorful side dish.

Appetizers to Awaken the Palate

Before indulging in the blanquette de veau, consider serving an appetizer that will stimulate the appetite and prepare the palate for the richness to come.

• Salad with a Light Vinaigrette: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing and palate-cleansing start to the meal. Choose delicate greens like butter lettuce or mâche, and avoid heavy or creamy dressings.

• Cheese Gougères: These savory cheese puffs offer a light and airy start to the meal. Their cheesy flavor complements the richness of the blanquette without being overwhelming.

• Mushroom Tartlets: Small mushroom tartlets, with a flaky pastry crust and a savory mushroom filling, provide a complementary earthy flavor that echoes the mushrooms often found in the blanquette.

Wine Pairings: The Perfect Sip

Selecting the right wine can significantly enhance the dining experience. When pairing wine with blanquette de veau, it’s important to consider the dish’s creamy richness and delicate flavors.

• White Burgundy (Chardonnay): A classic pairing, a white Burgundy offers a balance of acidity, fruit, and subtle oak that complements the creamy sauce and tender veal. Look for wines from the Mâconnais or Côte de Beaune regions.

• Alsatian Riesling: The crisp acidity and subtle fruitiness of an Alsatian Riesling can cut through the richness of the blanquette, while its aromatic qualities enhance the dish’s delicate flavors.

• Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc: A Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé, with their vibrant acidity and grassy notes, provides a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy stew.

• Dry Rosé: A dry rosé from Provence can also be a surprisingly good pairing, offering a refreshing acidity and subtle fruit flavors that complement the blanquette without overpowering it.

Beyond the Basics: Creative Complements

For those seeking to venture beyond the traditional pairings, consider these creative options:

• Creamy Polenta: Polenta, cooked until creamy and smooth, provides a comforting and flavorful alternative to rice or noodles.

• Pearl Barley Risotto: A risotto made with pearl barley offers a nutty and slightly chewy texture that contrasts nicely with the tender veal.

• Sunchoke Purée: The earthy and slightly sweet flavor of sunchokes, puréed into a smooth and creamy consistency, complements the blanquette beautifully.

Final Thoughts: A Culinary Symphony

Choosing what to serve with blanquette de veau is more than just selecting side dishes; it’s about creating a harmonious culinary experience. By understanding the dish’s flavor profile and considering the principles of balance and contrast, one can curate a meal that elevates the blanquette de veau to new heights. Whether opting for classic pairings or exploring more adventurous options, the key is to choose accompaniments that complement and enhance the star of the show, creating a memorable and satisfying dining experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I serve a red wine with blanquette de veau?

A: While white wine is the more traditional and generally recommended pairing, a light-bodied red wine with low tannins, such as a Beaujolais, could potentially work. However, be cautious as the tannins in red wine can clash with the creaminess of the sauce.

Q: Is it necessary to serve a starch with blanquette de veau?

A: While not strictly necessary, serving a starch like rice, noodles, or potatoes is highly recommended. The starch helps to absorb the creamy sauce and provides a comforting textural element to the meal.

Q: Can I prepare the side dishes in advance?

A: Yes, many of the suggested side dishes can be prepared in advance. Rice, potatoes, and some vegetable preparations can be made ahead of time and reheated. However, it’s best to prepare salads and some delicate vegetable dishes closer to serving time to ensure optimal freshness.