Showing posts with label Vegetable Carpaccio.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vegetable Carpaccio.. Show all posts

Carpaccio - The Tasty, Thinly Sliced, (Ideally Paper Thin) Dish of Meat, Fish, Vegetables or Fruits in French Cuisine.

from
Behind the French Menu
by
Bryan G. Newman
behindthefrenchmenu@gmail.com 

The original Carpaccio.
Seen here in a Cipriani family owned restaurant.
www.flickr.com/photos/79928508@N00/4153159697/
 

The classic Carpaccio features exquisite, paper-thin slices of raw beef, meticulously arranged to almost entirely veil the serving plate. This cut of beef is typically marinated in extra virgin olive oil and the zest of fresh lemon. The beef is drizzled with a white sauce made from fresh mayonnaise, subtly enhanced with a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a hint of lemon juice for added tang.  The only addition that is not part of the original Carpaccio will sometimes be a scattering of delicate Parmesan shavings.   The marinated beef has a remarkable, almost silken tenderness, reminiscent of the finest, thinly sliced smoked salmon, yet with a flavor profile that is unmistakably Carpaccio."


Iberico Carpaccio, Piquillo, Mushrooms, Parmesan
Iberico Carpaccio is a Spanisg dish featuring thinly sliced, raw Iberian pork known for its delicate texture and rich, nutty flavor that comes from the acorn-rich diet of the Iberian pig.
A Piquillo a mild Spanish pepper,
Photograph courtesy of Kent Wang
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kentwang/6592649863/
 

The original Carpaccio did not begin with a French chef; the Carpaccio’s ingenious creator was Giuseppe Cipriani (1900–1980), the visionary owner of the legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice. In the 1950s, Cipriani conceived a dish he called Carpaccio di Manzo—Italian for Beef Carpaccio. The dish was name in honor of the celebrated Venetian Renaissance painter Vittore Carpaccio (1460 - 1526). Legend has it that the dish was specifically crafted for an Italian noblewoman whose doctor had advised her against eating cooked meat.

Changes have been made to the original Carpaccio

While the original remains a classic, the world of Carpaccio has expanded dramatically since its Venetian inception. Today, you can still find the quintessential paper-thin slices of beef, but the concept has expanded. Carpaccios now feature a variety of meats, fish, shellfish, and vegetables. Despite these diverse interpretations, all Carpaccios have at least one thing in common: they are, by definition, uncooked. That being said, it's worth noting that meats and fish are typically marinated, while shellfish versions might be very lightly cooked.

 


Courgette (zucchini) Carpaccio with pistachios and avocado
Photograph courtesy of Joy
www.flickr.com/photos/joyosity/9202209893/

French chefs, ever on the quest for fresh, clean tastes, quickly adopted the original Carpaccio, embracing it as their own. As a result, many variations of Carpaccio have become a staple on French menus even though most French diners know that its origin remains, indisputably, Italian.

Carpaccio on French menus:

Carpaccio d'Espadon Mariné au Citron, Grenade et Pignons de Pins - Swordfish carpaccio marinated in lemon and pomegranate and served with pine nuts.


Swordfish Carpaccio
You may note that the colors of swordfish flesh can vary from pale ivory to orange. However, the color does not reflect the quality or taste; it reflects the area where the fish are caught and what they ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Photograph courtesy of Gary J. Wood
www.flickr.com/photos/garyjwood/4279139515/

Carpaccio de Boeuf, Mariné au Citron, à l'Huile d'Olive  et Parmesan. Beef Carpaccio marinated with lemon and olive oil and served with shavings of Parmesan cheese.  However, while the classic preparation remains the most popular, the world of beef Carpaccio is far from monolithic. Chefs frequently experiment with different marinades, and the choice of marinade can profoundly impact the final taste and texture.  Ask about the marinade and the sauce, and you may have found a personal favorite that you'll look for again.

I am not sure when Parmesan was first added to a beef Carpaccio, but it's often an excellent addition as it creates another sensation for the tongue.  The key, however, is moderation: Parmesan should act as an accent, enhancing the dish without overpowering it. 

On one occasion, I was served a beef Carpaccio that was nearly covered in Parmesan cheese. I removed at least 80% of the cheese to a separate plate. The beef Carpaccio was excellent, and the small amount of Parmesan was the perfect addition. Then, while waiting for the main course, I requested some virgin olive oil and Balsamic vinegar. I dipped the restaurant's bread rolls in olive oil, Balsamic vinegar, and cheese, and ate them together; they were a perfect combination. That was two excellent entrées (the French first course) for the price of one.



Venison Carpaccio
Photograph courtesy of Lian Chang
www.flickr.com/photos/diametrik/2270238582/


Carpaccio de Bœuf à l'Huile de Truffe Blanche—Beef Carpaccio prepared with olive oil flavored with white truffle.  Truffle oil itself is made by steeping truffles in virgin olive oil, allowing the oil to thoroughly absorb the truffle's distinctive flavor. This method provides truffle flavor, even when the truffles are out of season, for a fraction of the cost of fresh truffle shavings. While the virgin olive oil contributes its own nuanced taste, a hint of the truffle will also be there, though the texture will be missed. Nevertheless, the unique texture and aroma of fresh truffle shavings will be missed, but this aromatic compromise is undeniably beneficial to both your palate and your budget.

It's important to clarify the specifics of the white truffle often encountered on French menus. The truffe blanche, also known as the truffe blanchâtre, is a pleasant variety typically available from January through April. However, this should not be confused with the far more flavorsome, significantly more expensive, and world-famous white Italian truffle, the Truffe d'Alba. The Truffe d'Alba is recognized as the most expensive truffle in the world.

In France, the black Truffe de Périgord, also known as the Perigord Truffle, is considered the most intensely flavored and most costly variety, followed closely by the Truffe de Bourgogne, also known as the Burgundy Truffle.

 

Carpaccio de BarVinaigrette aux Fruits de la Passion A Carpaccio made from bar,  European sea bass, the fish.  Here, the fish is marinated in vinaigrette sauce flavored with passion fruit.  

  


Salmon Carpaccio.
Photograph courtesy of Gustavo Fumero
www.flickr.com/photos/127829733@N08/15301638029/

Carpaccio de Tomate aux Fines Herbes et Échalotes, Feuille de Cœur de Sucrine, Betterave et Sorbet Cabécou -  A Carpaccio of thinly sliced tomatoes, flavored with Les Fines Herbes—the essential blend of French herbs—and shallots.  The creation evolves with the tender leaves from the heart of a sweet baby Romaine lettuce (sucrine), earthy beetroot, and a Cabécou goat cheese sorbet. Even with the innovations, the connection to the Carpaccio concept remains through its meticulous slicing and presentation though the sorbet is a somewhat suprising addition.

Cabécou is the name or part of the name of several goat's milk cheeses. All cheeses with Cabécou in their name are small and weigh between 30 and 50 grams (1-1.75 oz.) each, and are made with unpasteurized goat's milk. (The word Cabécou means a kid, a young goat, in the Occitan dialect.)

 


A Beetroot Carpaccio
Photograph courtesy of Marco Verch
www.flickr.com/photos/149561324@N03/35728962973/

Vittore Carpaccio: The Artist Behind the Dish. 

Vittore Carpaccio came from a family of famous painters, with a renowned painter for a father and another renowned painter for a brother.   Sadly, none of Carpaccio’s descendants, if they could be found, receive any royalties for that popular dish named after their ancestor. Despite that, every Carpaccio on a menu honors the artist who might otherwise have remained unknown to many.

Carpaccio’s real name was Scarpazzaa, and so he changed it to Carpaccio. (I think that if I had been born with a name like Scarpazzaa, I might also have changed my name.)  If Vittore had not changed his name, we might find Scarpazzaa de Bœuf on the menu, and I am not sure that it would have had the same level of success of a Carpaccio. 

The Colors of Carpaccio: Art and Food Converge 

The visual connection between the artist and the dish extends beyond the name. Vittore Carpaccio frequently employed a striking palette of red and white in his artworks, a color scheme that recurs throughout nearly all his paintings. This deliberate use of red and white gave the dish’s Venetian creator, Giuseppe Cipriani, the idea for the dish’s name. In the original beef Carpaccio, the vibrant red of the thinly sliced beef contrasts beautifully with the pristine white of its accompanying sauce. This subtle yet powerful repetition of colors creates the enduring visual homage from Cipriani to the painter.


Carpaccio’s Flight into Egypt
The original of this painting is in the National Gallery of Art,
Washington D.C.
Photograph courtesy of Art Gallery ErgsArt - by ErgSap
www.flickr.com/photos/ergsart/22108739190/

From Plate to Canvas: Where to See Carpaccio's Art 

If you want to see a Carpaccio on the wall instead of on your plate, his art can be found in renowned museums worldwide. You can visit the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Louvre in Paris, and the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. However, for the most comprehensive experience, you must visit Venice. There, the single largest and most significant collection of Vittore Carpaccio's works is housed within the Guildhall of the Dalmatians (the Scuola Dalmata S.ti Giorgio e Trifone), offering an unparalleled glimpse into the artist's prolific career.

Harry’s Bar, Venice.  

Harry's Bar, in the magical city of Venice, holds a storied place in culinary history. Its founder, Giuseppe Cipriani, is not only credited with the creation of the Beef Carpaccio but also with inventing the famed Bellini cocktail made with fresh white peach purée and the crisp Prosecco sparkling wine.  This cocktail also bears the name of another illustrious Venetian Renaissance painter, Giovanni Bellini (1430–1516). Like its savory counterpart, the Bellini has been widely admired and adapted, leading to numerous modern variations such as Rum Bellinis and Vodka Bellinis.

The Genesis of a Legend

Harry’s Bar Venice is named after Harry Pickering, an American who gave the owner Giuseppe Cipriani the funds needed to found the bar. At the time Cipriani had been a bartender at the Hotel Europa where Harry Pickering was a frequent visitor. With this crucial support, Cipriani opened Harry's Bar in 1931.  (The Europa hotel (Europa and Brittania) is now called the Westin Europa and Regina). It's important to note that this Venetian institution is the original Harry's Bar and bears no relation to the numerous other establishments that have adopted the name in different cities worldwide. It is worth stopping by for their coffee and chocolate cake at midnight even if it costs around USD 40.00 for one. It's a small indulgence to be part of a living piece of Venetian history and included in that price is, no doubt, support for the owner's bank loans and this Italian national landmark. Harry’s Bar, in 2001 was added to the list of Italy's National Landmarks by the Italian government.

Searching for words, names or phrases on French Menus?

Just add the word, words, or phrase you are searching for to the phrase "Behind the French Menu" enclosed in inverted commas (quotation marks) and search using Google, Bing, or another search engine.  Behind the French Menu's links include hundreds of words, names, and phrases commonly seen on French menus. There are over 450 posts featuring more than 4,000 French dishes, all accompanied by English translations and explanations.

Connected Posts:

Avocat, an Avocado in French. Avocados on French Menus.  

Bar or Loup - European Sea Bass. Bar on French Menus. European Sea Bass in French Cuisine.

Citron – The lemon; the fruit behind many of France’s culinary successes. Also the Citron Vert - Lime, the Cedrat – the Citron, the Combava – the kaffir lime and the Chadec - the Pomelo. 

Échalotes - Shallots. Shallots on French Menus. Shallots are One of the Most Important Herbs in the French Kitchen 

French Olive Oils. Enjoying France's Best Olive Oils.

Les Fine Herbes; the Most Important Herb Group in French Cuisine. Les Fine Herbes on French Menus.

Mayonnaise Fraîche - In France all Mayonnaise is Fresh Mayonnaise

Parmesan, the Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano is an Important Ingredient in French Cuisine.

Rocamadour Goat’s Cheese, AOP and the Medieval city of Rocamadour.

Sorbet - Sorbet. Sorbets on French Menus.

The Fine Herbs; Les Fine Herbes; the Most Important Herb Group in French Cuisine.

Truffe - Trufflles. Truffles on French Menus. Truffles Oils and Truffles Essences. 

Vinegar, Vinaigrette and Verjus in French Cuisine.

Behind the French Menu
by
Bryan G. Newman
behindthefrenchmenu@gmail.com
Copyright 2010, 2014, 2017, 2025.

 


 

Responsive ad