Crêpe Suzette is a typical French France ( /ˈfræns/ or /ˈfrɑːns/; French pronunciation: [fʁɑ̃s]), officially the French Republic (French: République française, French pronunciation: [ʁepyblik fʁɑ̃sɛz]), is a country located in Western Europe, with several overseas islands and territories located on other continents. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean dessert, consisting of a crêpe A crêpe is a type of very thin, cooked pancake usually made from wheat flour. The word, like the pancake itself, 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 nowadays widespread in France and it is considered a with a hot sauce of caramelized sugar, orange juice, lightly grated orange An orange—specifically, the sweet orange—is the citrus Citrus sinensis and its fruit. The orange is a hybrid of ancient cultivated origin, possibly between pomelo (Citrus maxima) and tangerine (Citrus reticulata). It is a small flowering tree growing to about 10 m tall with evergreen leaves, which are arranged alternately, of ovate shape with peel and liqueur 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 (usually Grand Marnier Grand Marnier is a liqueur created in 1880 by Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle. It is a kind of triple sec, made from a blend of true cognacs and distilled essence of bitter orange. Grand Marnier is 40% alcohol (80 proof). It is produced in several varieties, most of which can be consumed "neat" as a digestif and can be used in mixed drinks) on top, which is subsequently flambéed.

Preparation

The most common way to make Crêpe Suzette is to pour liqueur 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 (usually Grand Marnier Grand Marnier is a liqueur created in 1880 by Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle. It is a kind of triple sec, made from a blend of true cognacs and distilled essence of bitter orange. Grand Marnier is 40% alcohol (80 proof). It is produced in several varieties, most of which can be consumed "neat" as a digestif and can be used in mixed drinks) over a freshly cooked crêpe A crêpe is a type of very thin, cooked pancake usually made from wheat flour. The word, like the pancake itself, 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 nowadays widespread in France and it is considered a with sugar and light it. This will make the alcohol in the liqueur evaporate, resulting in a fairly thick, caramelised Caramelization is the oxidation 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 Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death on 6 May 1910. He was the first British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, which was renamed the House of Windsor by his son, George V of England, and his companion whose first name was Suzette.

This is told by Henri Charpentier himself in Life a la Henri, his autobiography^[1], although later contradicted by the 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 melody 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 Crepes 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 Crepes Princesse to Crepes 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) however doubt that Charpentier was serving the prince instead of the head waiter.

The dish was already a speciality of the French restaurant Marie's by 1898 (Paris Vécu, L.Daudet, 1929).

References in Popular Culture

• In the life simulation computer game The Sims 2 The Sims 2, released in 2004, is a strategic life simulation computer game developed by Maxis and Shwetal and published by Electronic Arts. It is the sequel to the best-selling computer game, The Sims, which debuted on February 4, 2000, sims can prepare crepes suzette.
• In the The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an Emmy-nominated American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996. The show starred Will Smith as a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to live with his wealthy relatives in a Bel-Air mansion. His lifestyle often clashes with that of his relatives episode An 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. Episodes of news programs are also known as editions "Community Action", Alec claims he would have made crepe suzettes if they had Grand Marnier Grand Marnier is a liqueur created in 1880 by Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle. It is a kind of triple sec, made from a blend of true cognacs and distilled essence of bitter orange. Grand Marnier is 40% alcohol (80 proof). It is produced in several varieties, most of which can be consumed "neat" as a digestif and can be used in mixed drinks.
• In an episode of Pinky and the Brain Pinky and the Brain are cartoon characters who have starred in the American animated television series Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, and Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain set in 1800s France, as part of a plan to assassinate Napoleon (and take his place), the Brain alters the recipe for crepe 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.
• In the movie Trading Places, Coleman the butler makes Crepes Suzette for Louis and Penelope to set the mood for the film.
• In the song Bob Dylan's 115th Dream, Bob sings, "I ordered some suzette, I said 'Could you please make that crepe'."
• The theme song to The Patty Duke Show states: "Where Cathy adores a minuet, The Ballets Russes The Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company which performed under the directorship of Sergei Diaghilev between 1909 and 1929. Some of their places of residence included the Théâtre Mogador and the Théâtre du Châtelet, though they worked in many countries, including England, the U.S.A., and Spain. Many of its dancers originated from the, and crepe suzette, Our Patty loves to rock and roll, A hot dog makes her lose control -- What a wild duet!"
• In the Simpsons The 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 eponymous family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield, and lampoons American culture, episode Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Three Times, Homer Homer Jay Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and father 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. Homer was created and designed by murders Moe by turning him into a large version of the dish.
• In the movie Gummo Gummo is a 1997 cult film written and directed by Harmony Korine. The film stars Nick Sutton and Jacob Reynolds. Rather than following a linear plot, the film is a series of seemingly unrelated vignettes depicting the lives of fictional residents of the small town of Xenia, Ohio one boy asks his friend Solomon if he has ever had Crêpe Suzette as Solomon loads dead cats into a garbage bag.
• In the film Talladega Nights, Jean Gerrard (Sasha Baron Cohen) attempts to make Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell William "Will" Ferrell is an American comedian, actor, voice actor and writer. He first established himself as a cast member of Saturday Night Live, and has since gone on to a successful film career, starring in the comedies A Night at the Roxbury (1998), Old School, Elf (both 2003), Anchorman (2004), Kicking & Screaming (2005),) say that he loves crepes. Despite Bobby refusing to say it and having his arm broken by Gerrard, they both agree that they enjoy Crepe Suzettes.
• In the episode titled "Cobra Soundwaves", of the "A Real American Hero" version of the GI Joe cartoon, Roadblock prepares Crepe Suzette to celebrate a victory.
• The cartoon TaleSpin takes place in a fictional town called Cape Suzette.

See also

• crêpe A crêpe is a type of very thin, cooked pancake usually made from wheat flour. The word, like the pancake itself, 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 nowadays widespread in France and it is considered a
• List of foods named after people

External links

• Recipe (in French)
• Recipe (in English)
• A orange being flambéed over a Crêpe Suzette (YouTube video)

Notes

^ Life A La Henri - Being The Memories of Henri Charpentier by Henri Charpentier and Boyden Sparkes, The Modern Library, New York, 2001 Paperback Edition. Originally published in 1934 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Categories: Belgian cuisine | French desserts

See Also:

• Crêpe Suzette

Related 'Crêpe Suzette' Searches: