No part of French food preparation is without purpose. Centuries of refinement ensure each step is carefully and skillfully carried out using fresh, seasonal ingredients. This results in masterful flavor layering for fare that delights the senses. French cooking is also about celebrating food and family and is viewed as a relaxing enterprise instead of a stressful, hurried experience. Here are some of the most common French techniques to learn more about this exciting cooking style.

5 French Food Preparation Techniques

1. Sautéing

A type of dry heat cooking, sautéing starts by allowing the pan to get extremely hot before adding oil or butter, which must also be heated before adding ingredients. The stovetop-only technique quickly browns foods, such as potatoes, and requires constant flipping or tossing to ensure even browning.

2. Poaching

Food simmers in near-boiling water to create a soft texture and enhanced flavor. It’s most commonly used for meats and proteins, such as salmon and eggs, and requires careful monitoring to keep the water from boiling. Meats, in particular, start to break down when boiled, creating greasy food.

3. Flambéing

A French food preparation technique best left to experienced chefs, flambéing requires heating ingredients, such as meat juices, to extremely high temperatures before adding alcohol, like brandy. The resulting fire doesn’t allow for pan moving to avoid injuries, and the alcohol burns off quickly so that its flavors sink into the food.

4. Braising

Braising tenderizes the meat while infusing it with flavor. A small amount of liquid, such as water, wine, or stock, is used in a casserole dish or pan before the meat gets seared under high heat. It was traditionally used to soften and add flavor to tougher meat cuts.

5. Broiling

This French food cooking technique allows you to grill indoors. As with grilling, the food is prepared under direct high heat to create a caramelizing, charring effect. Temperatures generally range between 500 and 550 degrees Fahrenheit. This technique requires a thermometer to avoid burning the food.

French food is the pinnacle of fine dining and PARIS.HAWAII makes it even better by adding an island twist. Located in Honolulu, this dining establishment offers prix fixe tasting menus, and each dish features the freshest available ingredients. View their menu online, or call (808) 212-9282 Tuesday through Sunday between 3 and 11 p.m. to make a reservation.