1. Home
  2. Food & Drink
  3. French Food

How To Blanch

By Rebecca Franklin, About.com

Blanching is the French method of scalding or rapidly boiling food to brighten and set the color of produce like asparagus or green beans. Fruit like peaches or tomatoes can also be blanched to loosen and slip off the skin.

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 10 minutes, total

Here's How:

  1. Prepare food that is to be blanched by rinsing and trimming, if necessary.

  2. Bring a pan of water to a full, rolling boil.

  3. Gently place the prepared food into the boiling water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

  4. Drain; rinse the food in cold water immediately.

What You Need:

  • Pan
  • Boiling Water
  • Vegetables or Fruit
  • Cold Water
More French Food How To's

Explore French Food

About.com Special Features

Conquering High Cholesterol

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Mornings Made Easy

Reclaim the morning and your sanity with these easy recipes, tips, and timesaving ideas. More >

  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink
  3. French Food
  4. French Cooking Techniques
  5. Blanch - How to Blanch

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.