Crêpe Suzette
Encyclopedia
Crêpe Suzette is a French
dessert consisting of a crêpe
with beurre Suzette, (bœʁ syzɛt), a sauce of caramelized sugar and butter, tangerine
or orange
juice, zest
, and Grand Marnier
or orange Curaçao liqueur
on top, served flambé
.
(usually Grand Marnier
) over a freshly cooked crêpe
with sugar and light it. This will make the alcohol in the liqueur evaporate, resulting in a fairly thick, caramelised
sauce.
In a restaurant, a Crêpe Suzette is often prepared in a chafing dish in full view of the guests.
, and his companion Princess Suzanne (daughter of Edward, Prince of Wales, who was the son of Queen Victoria). It was his favourite meal.
This is told by Henri Charpentier himself in Life a la Henri, his autobiography, although later contradicted by the Larousse
dictionary.
Different sources (like the Larousse Gastronomique
) however doubt that Charpentier was serving the prince instead of the head waiter because he would have been too young.
The other claim states Crêpe Suzette was named in honor of French actress Suzanne Reichenberg (1853–1924), who worked professionally under the name Suzette. In 1897, Suzette appeared in the Comédie Française in the role of a maid, during which she served crêpes on stage. Monsieur Joseph, owner of Restaurant Marivaux, provided the crêpes . He decided to flambé the thin pancakes to attract the audience's attention and keep the food warm for the actors consuming them. M. Joseph was subsequently director of the Paillard Restaurant in Paris and was later with the Savoy Hotel in London.
In 1896, Oscar Tschirky
published the recipe as "Pancakes, Casino Style" with everything in place except the final flambée. This appears on page 629 of his book published in New York, The Cook Book by "Oscar" of the Waldorf.
The dish was already a speciality of the French restaurant Marie's by 1898 (Paris Vécu, L.Daudet, 1929).
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
dessert consisting of a crêpe
Crêpe
A crêpe or crepe , is a type of very thin pancake, usually made from wheat flour or buckwheat flour . The word is of French origin, deriving from the Latin crispa, meaning "curled". While crêpes originate from Brittany, a region in the northwest of France, their consumption is widespread in France...
with beurre Suzette, (bœʁ syzɛt), a sauce of caramelized sugar and butter, tangerine
Tangerine
__notoc__The tangerine is an orange-colored citrus fruit which is closely related to the Mandarin orange . Taxonomically, it should probably be formally named as a subspecies or variety of Citrus reticulata; further work seems to be required to ascertain its correct scientific name...
or orange
Orange (fruit)
An orange—specifically, the sweet orange—is the citrus Citrus × sinensis and its fruit. It is the most commonly grown tree fruit in the world....
juice, zest
Zest (ingredient)
Zest is a food ingredient that is prepared by scraping or cutting from the outer, colorful skin of citrus fruits such as lemon, orange, citron, and lime. Zest is used to add flavor to foods....
, and Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier is a liqueur created in 1880 by Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle. It is made from a blend of true cognacs and distilled essence of bitter orange. Grand Marnier is 40% alcohol . It is produced in several varieties, most of which can be consumed "neat" as a digestif and can be used in...
or orange Curaçao liqueur
Curaçao liqueur
Curaçao is a liqueur flavoured with the dried peel of the laraha citrus fruit, grown on the island of Curaçao. A non-native plant similar to an orange, the laraha developed from the sweet Valencia orange transplanted by Spanish explorers. The nutrient-poor soil and arid climate of Curaçao proved...
on top, served flambé
Flambé
Flambé is a cooking procedure in which alcohol is added to a hot pan to create a burst of flames. The word means flamed in French ....
.
Preparation
The most common way to make Crêpe Suzette is to pour liqueurLiqueur
A liqueur is an alcoholic beverage that has been flavored with fruit, herbs, nuts, spices, flowers, or cream and bottled with added sugar. Liqueurs are typically quite sweet; they are usually not aged for long but may have resting periods during their production to allow flavors to marry.The...
(usually Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier is a liqueur created in 1880 by Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle. It is made from a blend of true cognacs and distilled essence of bitter orange. Grand Marnier is 40% alcohol . It is produced in several varieties, most of which can be consumed "neat" as a digestif and can be used in...
) over a freshly cooked crêpe
Crêpe
A crêpe or crepe , is a type of very thin pancake, usually made from wheat flour or buckwheat flour . The word is of French origin, deriving from the Latin crispa, meaning "curled". While crêpes originate from Brittany, a region in the northwest of France, their consumption is widespread in France...
with sugar and light it. This will make the alcohol in the liqueur evaporate, resulting in a fairly thick, caramelised
Caramelization
Caramelization is the browning of sugar, a process used extensively in cooking for the resulting nutty flavor and brown color. As the process occurs, volatile chemicals are released, producing the characteristic caramel flavor....
sauce.
In a restaurant, a Crêpe Suzette is often prepared in a chafing dish in full view of the guests.
Origins
The origin of the dish and its name is somewhat disputed. One claim is that the dish was created out of a mistake made by a fourteen year-old assistant waiter Henri Charpentier in 1895 at the Maitre at Monte Carlo's Café de Paris. He was preparing a dessert for the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII of the United KingdomEdward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
, and his companion Princess Suzanne (daughter of Edward, Prince of Wales, who was the son of Queen Victoria). It was his favourite meal.
This is told by Henri Charpentier himself in Life a la Henri, his autobiography, although later contradicted by the Larousse
Larousse
Larousse can refer to:*Éditions Larousse, a French publishing house founded by Pierre Larousse**some of its publications***Grand Larousse encyclopédique***Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology***Larousse Gastronomique***Petit Larousse...
dictionary.
It was quite by accident as I worked in front of a chafing dish that the cordials caught fire. I thought It was ruined. The Prince and his friends were waiting. How could I begin all over? I tasted it. It was, I thought, the most delicious medley of sweet flavors I had ever tasted. I still think so. That accident of the flame was precisely what was needed to bring all those various instruments into one harmony of taste . . . He ate the pancakes with a fork; but he used a spoon to capture the remaining syrup. He asked me the name of that which he had eaten with so much relish. I told him it was to be called Crêpes Princesse. He recognized that the pancake controlled the gender and that this was a compliment designed for him; but he protested with mock ferocity that there was a lady present. She was alert and rose to her feet and holding her little skirt wide with her hands she made him a curtsey. 'Will you,' said His Majesty, 'change Crêpes Princesse to Crêpes Suzette?' Thus was born and baptized this confection, one taste of which, I really believe, would reform a cannibal into a civilized gentleman. The next day I received a present from the Prince, a jeweled ring, a panama hat and a cane.
Different sources (like the Larousse Gastronomique
Larousse Gastronomique
Larousse Gastronomique is an encyclopedia of gastronomy. The majority of the book is about French cuisine, and contains recipes for French dishes and cooking techniques...
) however doubt that Charpentier was serving the prince instead of the head waiter because he would have been too young.
The other claim states Crêpe Suzette was named in honor of French actress Suzanne Reichenberg (1853–1924), who worked professionally under the name Suzette. In 1897, Suzette appeared in the Comédie Française in the role of a maid, during which she served crêpes on stage. Monsieur Joseph, owner of Restaurant Marivaux, provided the crêpes . He decided to flambé the thin pancakes to attract the audience's attention and keep the food warm for the actors consuming them. M. Joseph was subsequently director of the Paillard Restaurant in Paris and was later with the Savoy Hotel in London.
In 1896, Oscar Tschirky
Oscar Tschirky
Oscar Tschirky was maître d'hôtel of Delmonico's Restaurant and subsequently the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, New York, United States. He was widely known as "Oscar of the Waldorf" and produced a large cookbook despite not being a chef...
published the recipe as "Pancakes, Casino Style" with everything in place except the final flambée. This appears on page 629 of his book published in New York, The Cook Book by "Oscar" of the Waldorf.
The dish was already a speciality of the French restaurant Marie's by 1898 (Paris Vécu, L.Daudet, 1929).
Music
- In the song "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream", Bob sings, "I ordered some suzette, I said 'Could you please make that crêpe'."
- In the George Jones & Tammy Wynette duet "We're Not the Jet Set", they sing "The Jones and Wynette set / Ain't the flamin' suzette set."
In print
- Crepe Suzette is the name of a character in the Strawberry ShortcakeStrawberry ShortcakeStrawberry Shortcake is a licensed character owned by American Greetings, originally used in greeting cards and expanded to include dolls, posters, and other products...
series of books and cartoons. - In the Terry PratchettTerry PratchettSir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...
novel Witches AbroadWitches AbroadWitches Abroad is the twelfth Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett, originally published in 1991.-Plot:Following the death of Witch, Desiderata Hollow, Magrat Garlick is sent her magic wand, for Desiderata was not only a witch, but also a Fairy Godmother. Having given the wand to Magrat, she...
, the dish (identified as "Crap suzette") is served to Granny WeatherwaxGranny WeatherwaxEsmerelda "Esme" Weatherwax is a fictional character from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. She is a witch and member of the Lancre coven. She is the self-appointed guardian of her small country, and frequently defends it against supernatural powers...
, Nanny OggNanny OggGytha Ogg is a character from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. She is a witch and member of the Lancre coven.- Personality :The character of Nanny Ogg is based on the Mother stereotype of the Triple Goddess myth...
, and Magrat Garlick, who think they are getting a plate of ordinary pancakes. Granny (who takes a dim view of foreign food) sees the dish finished and says "Oh, now he expects us to eat them. He only goes and sets fire to them, and he still expects us to eat them!"
Film
- In the movie Darling LiliDarling LiliDarling Lili is a 1970 American musical film. The screenplay was written by William Peter Blatty and Blake Edwards, who also directed. The cast included Julie Andrews, Rock Hudson, and Jeremy Kemp.-Plot:...
, Julie Andrews, playing a German Spy in WWI, attempts to learn the details of "Operation Crêpe Suzette" from English pilot Rock Hudson. - In the movie GummoGummoGummo is a 1997 American independent drama film written and directed by Harmony Korine. It was his directorial debut and has since become a cult film. The film stars Jacob Reynolds, Nick Sutton, Jacob Sewell, Chloë Sevigny, Linda Manz and Max Perlich...
, one boy asks his friend Solomon if he has ever had Crêpe Suzette as Solomon loads dead cats into a garbage bag. - Didi Pickles in Rugrats in Paris: The MovieRugrats in Paris: The MovieRugrats in Paris: The Movie, also known as The Rugrats Movie 2: Rugrats in Paris and Rugrats in Paris: The Movie - Rugrats II, is 2000 American animated film, and the sequel to the 1998 film The Rugrats Movie that follows the continuing adventures of the Rugrats. In the film, Chuckie Finster takes...
says that, upon coming to France, she expected to eat Crepes Suzette instead of the Japanese cuisine the family was served their first night in Paris. - In the film Talladega Nights, Jean Gerrard (Sasha Baron Cohen) attempts to make Ricky Bobby (Will FerrellWill FerrellJohn William "Will" Ferrell is an American comedian, impressionist, actor, and writer. Ferrell first established himself in the late 1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, and has subsequently starred in the comedy films Old School, Elf, Anchorman, Talladega...
) say that he loves crêpes. Despite Bobby refusing to say it and having his arm broken by Gerrard, they both agree that they enjoy Crêpe Suzettes. - In the movie Trading PlacesTrading PlacesTrading Places is a 1983 American comedy film, of the satire genre, directed by John Landis, starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. It tells the story of an upper class commodities broker and a homeless street hustler whose lives cross paths when they are unknowingly made part of an elaborate bet...
, Coleman the butler makes Crêpes Suzette for Louis and Penelope to set the mood for the film.
Television
- In the Hogan's HeroesHogan's HeroesHogan's Heroes is an American television sitcom that ran for 168 episodes from September 17, 1965, to March 28, 1971, on the CBS network. The show was set in a German prisoner of war camp during the Second World War. Bob Crane had the starring role as Colonel Robert E...
episodeEpisodeAn episode is a part of a dramatic work such as a serial television or radio program. An episode is a part of a sequence of a body of work, akin to a chapter of a book. The term sometimes applies to works based on other forms of mass media as well, as in Star Wars...
"The Pizza Parlor", Corporal LeBeau prepares Crêpe Suzette for his comrades while giving Sergeant Schultz a sample. - In the The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirThe Fresh Prince of Bel-AirThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996. The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his aunt and uncle in their...
episodeEpisodeAn episode is a part of a dramatic work such as a serial television or radio program. An episode is a part of a sequence of a body of work, akin to a chapter of a book. The term sometimes applies to works based on other forms of mass media as well, as in Star Wars...
"Community Action", Alec claims he would have made crêpe suzettes if they had Grand MarnierGrand MarnierGrand Marnier is a liqueur created in 1880 by Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle. It is made from a blend of true cognacs and distilled essence of bitter orange. Grand Marnier is 40% alcohol . It is produced in several varieties, most of which can be consumed "neat" as a digestif and can be used in...
. - In the episode titled "Cobra Soundwaves", of the G.I. JoeG.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (TV series)G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a half-hour American animated television series based on the successful toyline from Hasbro and the comic book series from Marvel Comics. The cartoon had its beginnings with two five-part mini-series, then became a regular series that ran in syndication from 1985...
cartoon, Roadblock prepares Crêpe Suzette to celebrate a victory. - In Lost in SpaceLost in SpaceLost in Space is a science fiction TV series created and produced by Irwin Allen, filmed by 20th Century Fox Television, and broadcast on CBS. The show ran for three seasons, with 83 episodes airing between September 15, 1965, and March 6, 1968...
Season 1: Episode 5, "There Were Giants in the Earth", after Dr. Smith is confronted by Maj. West in the Jupiter 2's lower level dining area about Will's safety from the robot, Dr. Smith reacts by stating that he is preparing Crêpe Suzette: "Ahh, Major West, just in time to test a culinary marvel. The Crêpe Suzette, Enrique Ugarte de Pari, which I learned at the feat of a master." - In the M*A*S*H episode "The Life You Save", Hawkeye Pierce, while attempting to make French toastFrench toastFrench toast or Eggy Bread, is a food made with bread and eggs. It is a Christmas time dessert in Portugal and Brazil.Where French toast is served as a sweet dish, milk, sugar, or cinnamon are also commonly added before frying, and it may be then topped with sugar, butter, fruit, syrup, or other...
for the entire camp, asks the cook for vanilla. The cook sardonically replies, "Sorry, I used it all last night in the Crêpe Suzette." - In an episode of Pinky and the BrainPinky and the BrainPinky and the Brain is an American animated television series.The characters Pinky and the Brain first appeared in 1993 as a recurring segment on the show Animaniacs...
set in 19th century France, as part of a plan to assassinate Napoleon (and take his place), the Brain alters the recipe for crêpe suzette by adding an extra ingredient which causes the dish to explode when ignited. In the end, his plan literally blows up in his face. - The theme song to The Patty Duke ShowThe Patty Duke ShowThe Patty Duke Show is an American sitcom which ran on ABC from September 18, 1963, until May 4, 1966, with reruns airing through August 31, 1966. The show was created as a vehicle for rising star Patty Duke...
states: "Where Cathy adores a minuet, The Ballets RussesBallets RussesThe Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company from Russia which performed between 1909 and 1929 in many countries. Directed by Sergei Diaghilev, it is regarded as the greatest ballet company of the 20th century. Many of its dancers originated from the Imperial Ballet of Saint Petersburg...
, and crêpe suzette, Our Patty loves to rock and roll, A hot dog makes her lose control -- What a wild duet!" - In the The SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
episode "Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Three TimesRevenge Is a Dish Best Served Three Times"Revenge is a Dish Best Served Three Times" is the eleventh episode of The Simpsons eighteenth season, which originally aired on January 28, 2007. It was written by Joel H...
", HomerHomer SimpsonHomer Jay Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons and the patriarch of the eponymous family. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared on television, along with the rest of his family, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
murders MoeMoe SzyslakMomar / Morris "Moe" Szyslak is a fictional character in the American animated television series, The Simpsons. He is voiced by Hank Azaria and first appeared in the series premiere episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"...
by turning him into a large version of the dish. - In the Strangers with CandyStrangers with CandyStrangers with Candy is a television series produced by Comedy Central. It first aired on April 7, 1999, and concluded its third and final season on October 2, 2000. Its timeslot was Sundays at 10 p.m....
episode "Yes, You Can't", during a career aptitude test administered by Chuck Noblet, Jerri Blank claims her favorite food is crêpe suzette. However Chuck Noblet's lie detector discovers this claim is, in fact, false and her actual favorite food is meat balls. - The televised cartoon series, TaleSpinTaleSpinTaleSpin is a half-hour American animated television series based in the fictional city of Cape Suzette, that first aired in 1990 as part of The Disney Afternoon, with characters adapted from Disney's 1967 animated feature The Jungle Book. The name of the show is a play on "tailspin", the rapid,...
, takes place in a fictional town called Cape Suzette. - In the FX original animated comedy series ArcherArcher (TV series)Archer is an American animated television series created by Adam Reed for the FX network. A preview of the series aired on September 17, 2009. The first season premiered on January 14, 2010. The show carries a TV-MA-LSV rating....
, Archer tries ordering Crêpe Suzette at the strip club to cure his cancer but winds up getting side tracked. - In the first episode of series two of "Downton AbbeyDownton AbbeyDownton Abbey is a British television period drama series, produced by NBC Universal-owned British media company Carnival Films for the ITV network. The series is set during the late Edwardian era and the First World War on the fictional estate of Downton Abbey in Yorkshire, and features an...
", Ethel enquires if she could have some Crêpe Suzette that Mrs. Patmore was preparing for the house. - In "Phineas and FerbPhineas and FerbPhineas and Ferb is an American animated television comedy series. Originally broadcast as a preview on August 17, 2007, on Disney Channel, the series follows Phineas Flynn and his English stepbrother Ferb Fletcher on summer vacation. Every day the boys embark on some grand new project, which...
" season two, episode 39, Roller-coaster: The Musical, a french vendor asks everyone on the roller coaster, "Crêpe Suzette?" and Phineas responds by saying, "Hey Suzette, want a crêpe?"
External links
- Recipe (in French)
- Recipe (in English)
- An orange being flambéed over a Crêpe Suzette (YouTube video)
- Restaurant Reflet In this famous Dutch restaurant in Amsterdam the crepes are prepared at tableside.