Mirepoix, what's it all about?

Carrots, Celery, and Onion. Three ingredients that form the basis of countless recipes.  Did you know that this trio has a name and is actually a cooking technique? 

Mirepoix is a classic French cooking technique that involves sautéing a combination of diced vegetables in butter or oil. It is typically used as a flavorful base for soups, stews, sauces, and even casseroles. The classic mirepoix consists of equal parts of diced onion, celery, and carrots.

The vegetables are sautéed until they are softened and lightly browned, and then used as a flavorful base for the dish. The benefits of mirepoix are twofold. First, it adds flavor and depth to a dish. The vegetables in the mirepoix are cooked down, releasing natural sugars and starches that create a rich, flavorful base. Second, it adds nutrition as well. The vegetables in the mirepoix are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making the dish more nutritious.

Mirepoix is featured in a lot of your favorite holiday and winter foods such as: stuffing/dressing, chicken soup, stocks/broths, beef stew, bolognese sauce, braised chicken or beef.

It’s also featured in one of my favorite recipes: Lentils!