Hipcooks Blog
  • Home
  • Virtual Classes
    • Public
    • Group
  • In-person Group Classes
  • Recipes
    • Brunch
    • Nibbles
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Main Courses
    • Sweets
    • Beverages
    • How-To’s
    • Livestream Class Recipes
  • Themes
    • Class of the Month
    • Ring in the New Year
    • Love is in the Air
    • Go Green!
    • Cooking with my Mother
    • Dog Days of Summer
    • Festive in the Fall
    • December Holidays
  • Our Schools
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
  • Corporate Events
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
  • Cookbooks
    • From Our Cookbook
  • Contact Us
    • Los Angeles
    • Woodland HIlls
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
  • Home
  • Virtual Classes
    • Public
    • Group
  • In-person Group Classes
  • Recipes
    • Brunch
    • Nibbles
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Main Courses
    • Sweets
    • Beverages
    • How-To’s
    • Livestream Class Recipes
  • Themes
    • Class of the Month
    • Ring in the New Year
    • Love is in the Air
    • Go Green!
    • Cooking with my Mother
    • Dog Days of Summer
    • Festive in the Fall
    • December Holidays
  • Our Schools
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
  • Corporate Events
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
  • Cookbooks
    • From Our Cookbook
  • Contact Us
Hipcooks Blog

The magic of mirepoix

by Monika March 18, 2020

What the heck is Mirepoix and why do I want it?

Mirepoix is diced onions, carrots, and celery. I often add its adjunct friend, garlic. Cupboard Quarantine Cooks: Here’s how to make stuff taste good. Now more than ever you need it:

Making a killer Pasta Sauce? Start with Mirepoix!

How to make dried lentils, white beans and chickpeas not taste like cardboard? Mirepoix!

Frozen proteins for a slow-cooked, melt-in-your-mouth stew? Mirepoix, baby!

Soup’s On! Who doesn’t love soup? It’s freezable, gift-able, slurpable, healthy and warm. Where to start? (Hint: it begins with an “m” and ends with “epoix!”

Magic, you say? Indeed, I say! Mirepoix is often called the cornerstone of Cooking. Hipcooks has many classes that start with Mirepoix. It’s not because we like to put on silly French accents and dance around the room declaring “Mirepoix!” Though that is fun, too. It really is the base of many things delicious. Carrots are sweet, onions are pungent, and celery is nutty and crunchy. Together, they make magic.

Chop, chop, chop ‘til you drop!

If you’ve been to a Hipcooks class with knife skills (there are many,) you’ll know what to do. You can also purchase it pre-chopped. Once chopped, it will last at least several days in the fridge, so get a whole bunch done in one session. Or do as I do and cook many things at once: some to eat, some to keep (freeze), some to give away.

Let’s Get Cooking!

Whatever you’re making, start by “sweating” the mirepoix. That is, cook the veggies so that they lose their water content. Stirring is important so that they don’t burn or caramelize. First heat some oil or butter in a skillet. Which to choose? Up to you! For Italian-y things, I use olive oil. When I want a little extra richness, I use butter. When I’m undecided, I use a bit of both. There’s no wrong answer here (hooray!) so tap into your mood. Add the mirepoix and stir every so often. You’ll see the sheen, smell the magic. How do you know when it has sweat enough? The pan will become dry. You’ll know it will need some liquid. And now the fun part. . .

Wine! Some for you, some for the pan!

add wine to the mirepoix

Same Humble Beginnings, Wildly Divergent Paths

See the photo below to see how the Magic of Mirepoix, in several different pans, begins the same way, and then takes off in many different directions

Mirepoix to Welcome Lentils

Mirepoix for Pasta Sauce

Mirepoix for Chickpea Stew

Mirepoix for Slow-cooked beef or Pork

Soup, Soup, Glorious Soup!!

Mirepoix into Moroccan Lentil Soup… into Kid’s Favorite Dinner Hearty garbanzo stew …  into Carrot Ginger Soup!

 

Doorstep DeliciousnessLove thy Neighbor: All these recipes are perfect for Doorstep Deliciousness

Mirepoix Thumb

Mirepoix

Print Recipe
Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat
Rating: 5.0/5
( 1 voted )

Ingredients

Equalish amounts of:
onions
carrot
and celery (I usually have a little less thank equal amounts of celery, but that's a personal preference.)

Sometimes garlic gets invited to the party! I'll add a clove or two.

Instructions

Chop, Chop, Chop!

Notes

Congratulations. Now everything is gonna taste great!

 

Dairy-FreeGluten-FreeVeganVegetarianwheat-free
4
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Monika

You may also like

How to make Preserved Lemons

Lavender, honey and goat cheese ice cream

Watermelon Margarita

How to Supreme Citrus

Aperol spritz (and Negroni Sbagliato)

Lavender granita

Lavender Latte

Lavender simple syrup

Lavender sugar

Virtual Happy Hour Classes

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

10 comments

Kyrsten March 20, 2020 - 4:59 pm

What a beautiful post! I love this so much. And Happy Birthday, Lucia!! xo

Reply
Monika March 20, 2020 - 5:02 pm

Thanks, Kyrsten my love! I was hoping you’d like it. You know, for us cooking geeks. It breaks it all down. : )

Reply
Jesse March 20, 2020 - 8:59 pm

Yum!!!! How old is too old for a bag of lentils in your pantry? Asking for a friend! 🙂

Reply
Monika March 21, 2020 - 9:02 am

Tell your friend: limitless! Your friend is such a smartypants to have stocked up so well, and such a long time ago. To test the theory, sprout your lentils before using them. (It’s aaaaalive!!!) They’re healthier, more digestible, and more nutritious for you that way. Please refer to this post: erm, I mean: share this with your “friend”: our post on soaking and sprouting beans. It’s so cool!

Reply
Joe Frescatore March 21, 2020 - 6:47 am

Love, love, love mirepoix – and as you said, it’s fun to say! Takes me back to the year upon year of French class. Thanks, Monika (and the entire Hipcooks team) for the beautiful blog, delicious and creative recipes, and for being there for us at just the right time! Take care – stay well. XO

Reply
Monika March 21, 2020 - 8:57 am

You, too, Joe! You’re a treasured member of our teaching community and we can’t wait to cook with you again. Lots of love. Monika

Reply
Melanie Cross March 21, 2020 - 8:42 am

I learned how to make paella with your lovely business, and makes me so incredibly proud. Thank you! And thank you for sharing this recipes online. Makes me want to go back to you. Now for sushi! Lots of good vibes and love.

Reply
Monika March 21, 2020 - 8:57 am

Thank you Melanie! That means so much to me. Lots of vibes and love backatcha!

Reply
L. Alfonso Duluc January 23, 2021 - 1:29 am

Love it and thank you. It would have been great to remind the reader that it is also well-known as soffrito by the Italians and the Hispanics, and that even in the Francophone world there are certain changes to the base depending on the region.

Reply
Monika January 25, 2021 - 8:42 am

Thanks for the comment! Indeed, we talk about the similarities with Soffrito, the Cajun “Trinity” and even the Hipcooks Holy Trinity. Changes to the base depending on region, and even dish! Good stuff.

Reply

Upcoming Events

Feb 14
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm UTC-7

Butternut Squash Risotto (Class with Kit)

Mar 19
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm PDT

Let’s Go to India (Class only)

Mar 19
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm PDT

Let’s Go to India (Class with Kit)

View Calendar

Our Cookbook

Hipcooks Cookbook

Cookbook button

Around the World in 12 Dinner Parties

Buy Now ➞

About Me

About Me

Hi, I'm Monika, owner & founder of Hipcooks Cooking Schools. I curate this blog — with fun ideas, pretty pictures & themes for any occasion. I'd love to hear from you!
- read more -

Subscribe

Gift Certificates

Hipcooks Gift Certificates

Gift Certificate Button

Buy Now ➞

Events & News

Events & News

Keep in Touch

    • Los Angeles
    • Woodland HIlls
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland

Private Classes

A sip and a nibble cooking class
Friends & family Livestream

Follow Us on Instagram

Oui Oui! Calfouti! This dessert is tres bon - so q Oui Oui! Calfouti! This dessert is tres bon - so quick and yummy. It also doubles as breakfast. Treat your cherie.
Recipe link in bio
You've got a date this Valentine's Day with Monika You've got a date this Valentine's Day with Monika at Hipcooks Virtual! Order the ingredients kit by Feb 8, and we'll make a mouth-watering risotto for dinner. Cheers to that! 
Info and signup: blog.hipcooks.com
.
.
#virtualcooking #virtualcookingclasses #valentinescookingclass #livestreamcookingclass
The Cupid's Arrow Cocktail is aiming straight for The Cupid's Arrow Cocktail is aiming straight for your heart this Valentine's Day! It's made with a rosemary ruby-red simple syrup, gin, and topped with bubbles. Garnish with a blood tipped arrow (a cranberry on a rosemary spear). Recipe on blog.hipcooks.com/home
.
.
#valentinecocktail @myhipcooks
Thank you @morrisseyai for this sweet reel, and fo Thank you @morrisseyai for this sweet reel, and for booking your event with Hipcooks! We loved having you and hope to cook with you again!
Poached apricots stuffed with mascarpone & pistach Poached apricots stuffed with mascarpone & pistachio. Now you have the perfect excuse to linger a while longer at the dinner table. Who can resist something so little, light and delectable. 
Join us for Let’s go to Morocco. Sat Feb 4. Info at blog.hipcooks.com
Add on an ingredient kit: ORDER BY MONDAY JAN 30
Just look at these cuties cooking it up at our Pas Just look at these cuties cooking it up at our Pasta Class! What a delightful and tasty afternoon! Thanks for sharing these beautiful pics, @parminder.kg
Preserved lemons are like little wheels of sunshin Preserved lemons are like little wheels of sunshine and so simple to make. Tart and salty, they “bring it” to your recipes. Recipe link in bio.
Follow the Spice Trail to one of the most elegant, Follow the Spice Trail to one of the most elegant, beguiling, and wonderful menus at Hipcooks! You'll make these dishes again and again. This menu, an exotic mix of sweet and savory, is straight from a Moroccan medina. Info & Signup: blog.hipcooks.com
.
.
#myhipcooks

© Hipcooks. Privacy Policy.


Back To Top
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT