Quenelle Spoons – Complete Guide – And Which To Buy
A quenelle (kuh-nell) is a plating technique that instantly upgrades your food and gives it a fancy and sophisticated touch.
If you’ve ever wondered how professional chefs make their food stand out, it is through the use of unique tools.
One such unique tool is a quenelle spoon that allows you to make a perfectly smooth, rugby-ball shaped scoop out of any soft food. The great news is that you can also up your plating game using the right quenelle spoons!
So, what are the best quenelle spoons? The best quenelle spoons are sturdy tapered spoons with a deep bowl used to achieve the iconic quenelle shape. They are made with good quality material and are typically used in pairs.
Read on for a detailed buyer’s guide on the best quenelle spoons and which ones to buy along with our top picks of the best ones.
What Are Quenelle Spoons?
Used for both savory and sweet dishes, a quenelle is a plating technique that forms smooth, oval-shaped scoops of food. It is generally used for ice creams, whipped cream, mousses, mashed potatoes, and more.
The term quenelle gets its name from a French recipe called quenelles de Brochet where a mixture of creamed fish with eggs and breadcrumbs is served in an oval-shaped, rugby-like scoop with pointy ends.
Over time, people started to refer to any food served in the same manner as quenelle.
The technique is fairly easy in theory but requires quite a bit of skill and practice to master. What makes it somewhat easy to achieve is the right tools, aka. quenelle spoons.
Quenelle spoons are oval-shaped spoons with a deep bowl that don’t necessarily look very different from regular spoons.
They usually come in pairs and you can find several variants, such as ones with the front-end shaped like a kettle outlet to achieve the desired shape easily and quickly.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Quenelle Spoons?
When cooking food, it is important to engage all the senses for a complete experience. While it is important for the food to taste good, it is equally important for it to be presented in the right manner.
There is a reason why professional chefs go all out on their food presentation. It’s because it gives the dish a whole new level, and that is precisely why plating techniques such as quenelle are used.
Quenelle spoons help make your food look more presentable and sophisticated as this plating technique is a symbol of luxury, elegance, and an elevated dining experience.
You are more likely to enjoy your food if it looks appealing. Using quenelle spoons, you can make any dish stand out and leave a lasting impression on your guests.
What Can You Make With Quenelle Spoons?
You can quenelle anything with a consistency similar to soft-serve ice cream. The softness helps form the food into the iconic quenelle shape using quenelle spoons.
You can make quenelles with regular ice cream as well; all you have to do is let it soften up a bit before shaping it.
Most of the time, quenelles will be used for garnishing purposes, such as using whipped cream or ice cream next to your main dish, such as a slice of cake or brownie.
Some common food items that take on the quenelle shape very well include:
- Whipped cream
- Crème Fraiche
- Mousse
- Sorbet
- Ice cream
- Mashed potatoes
Differences Between Quenelle And Rocher
In the world of plating and presentation, a quenelle refers to a three-sided scoop of anything with a soft consistency such as ice cream, sorbet, whipped cream, and mousse. The classic shape is achieved by using two quenelle spoons to shape food into a three-sided quenelle.
A rocher, on the other hand, is a bit more refined. A quenelle has three sides whereas a rocher is a smooth, sleek oval and is made using just one spoon.
It can often be a bit confusing to understand the difference between a quenelle and a rocher, with many people using the terms interchangeably.
To summarize, a quenelle is made with two spoons by passing the food between the deep bowls of the spoons until a three-sided oval is achieved. A rocher, on the other hand, is made with one swooping motion with a single spoon.
How To Make The Perfect Quenelles
Making quenelles is one of the first plating skills that new chefs master when starting their cooking journey. Although it looks easy, it takes quite a bit of practice to do it correctly.
Here are step-by-step instructions for making the perfect quenelles out of ice cream:
Step # 1: Get the right quenelle spoons
You can’t make quenelles without the right spoon. You can surely try using a regular spoon but the final result won’t be nearly as good.
To quenelle, you need a sturdy, tapered spoon with a deep bowl. While there are a few great spoon options made specifically for making quenelles, you can use any deep, oval-shaped dessert spoon.
Just make sure you have the right size as the size of the spoon will determine the size of the quenelle. Also, both the spoons need to be the same size in order to create a perfect quenelle.
Step # 2: Set Up
Technique and timing both play an integral part in creating the perfect quenelle. Therefore, before you start plating your food, you need to have your workstation ready with everything set up in place.
Take a small saucepan and fill it up with hot tap water. Keep a small kitchen towel handy. Place your quenelle spoons in the water to allow them to get warm and glide through the food like a hot knife through butter. Take the ice cream out of the freezer.
Step # 3: Start Scooping
Shake off the excess water from the spoons by giving them a tap on the towel and dipping one spoon in the ice cream.
Grasp the spoon near the bowl for more control and drag it through the ice cream toward the edge of the container so that it curls and forms a scoop.
Step # 4: Finesse
Once you have a proper scoop, you need to smooth it out and taper the ends to give it a proper shape.
Using the other spoon, smooth over the ice cream into an egg-like shape. Pass the ice cream between the two spoons and rotate it. Gently scrape the ends of the quenelle to crate sharp, tapered points.
Step # 5: Plating
Transfer the ice cream quenelle onto a chilled plate, curving the spoon slightly as you release it. Make sure to not lift it instantly or it may create a line.
Tips And Tricks To Make Perfect Quenelles
The best tip to make the perfect quenelles is to keep practicing. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at making these pretty scoops of dessert.
There are also a few tricks you can use along the way that can help you achieve the best-looking quenelles with minimal effort.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Make sure the water you use to dip the quenelle spoons in is always hot and clean. If the water starts to get lukewarm or dirty, simply dump it out and get fresh and hot water as it is necessary to make perfect quenelles.
- Practice on something with a soft consistency such as Crisco all-vegetable shortening. You may use an aluminum-lined baking sheet to place your quenelles. Once the sheet is full, you can scrape them back into the container and start all over again.
- Use a blowtorch to make your quenelles look even sharper. In addition to dipping the spoons in hot water, you can also use a blowtorch on the spoons and then use them to make the quenelles. Be careful with it though as the heat can melt the food items and make them difficult to shape.
Best Quenelle Spoons – Buyer’s Guide
Quenelle spoons are not very different from regular spoons but there are a few factors you need to keep in mind when buying the best ones for plating your desserts.
Here are all the things you need to look for:
Shape
When it comes to quenelle spoons, the most important factor is probably the shape of the spoons since that is what helps give the food the right shape.
Think of it as the foundation on which you will apply your technique. If the spoon isn’t deep, oval-shaped, and tapered, it’ll make it difficult for you to achieve the desired results.
Size
Apart from the shape of the quenelle spoons, you need to keep in mind the size since it will determine the size of the quenelle.
If you buy a set of quenelle spoons in different sizes, you will have an entire arsenal at your disposal. However, if you purchase individual quenelle spoons, you will have to make sure you buy the size that can be used for most of your dishes.
For instance, it wouldn’t make sense to get a giant quenelle spoon to make small ice cream or whipped cream quenelles. First, you won’t be able to, and second, it would look weird to have giant quenelles on a tiny brownie.
Material
Spoons come in a variety of materials. However, the best ones for quenelle spoons are aluminum or stainless steel as they are tough and have no crevices.
If you do not have access to silverware, you may even use two identical plastic spoons to create quenelles. Make sure they are safe to use with hot water, though.
Avoid using wooden spoons as they may not be the most compatible and the results may not be as you expect.
Individual Or Part Of Set
Some quenelle spoons come as individual spoons while others come as part of a set. It all comes down to what you want and whether you need the variety that a complete set has to offer.
The latter may include different types of spoons, other than quenelle spoons, and can be used for a variety of plating techniques.
Versatility
A spoon can serve many functions based on its shape and size. A quenelle spoon can also be a dessert spoon, plating spoon, and serving spoon.
There are a variety of designs that make the spoons multifunctional and versatile. To make the most out of your purchase, look for quenelle spoons that can be used for other purposes as well.
Price
As mentioned several times in this guide, quenelle spoons are not that different from regular spoons and have similar construction.
While it is important to find the right shape and size in order to make the perfect quenelles, make sure you do not spend an exorbitant amount of money and are paying the right amount for your purchase.
Best Quenelle Spoons
A quenelle spoon is a deep-bowled, oval-shaped, tapered spoon used to create the perfect quenelles for food plating and presentation.
While some spoons are made specifically for creating quenelles, others are simply dessert spoons with the right shape and size.
Here are our top picks of the best quenelle spoons to help you choose:
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mercer Culinary 7 Piece Plating Spoon Kit | Satin finish, bowl-shaped spoons |
| 2. | Chef Spoons Choice Revolution Plating Spoon | Bowl design with a 15ml liquid capacity and pointed top |
| 3. | Orange Zest Professional Culinary Saucier Decorating Spoons | Simple slimline pattern and elegant mirror finish |
| 4. | Berglander Black Dinner Spoons | Titanium plating to boost the strength and quality |
| 5. | J.B. Prince Chef Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon | Long handle and small head |
| 6. | New Star Foodservice Precision Decorating Spoons | Ergonomically designed with intricate details |
| 7. | Bisda Buffet Serving Spoons | Available in several appealing colors |
1. Mercer Culinary 7 Piece Plating Spoon Kit
Mercer Culinary Plating Spoon Kit deserves the top spot on this list as it consists of 7 unique spoons allowing you to create visual masterpieces on your plate.
A versatile and multifunctional set of spoons that you can use for various purposes, it includes a variety of styles and sizes to create the perfect quenelle.
Made of 18/8 tempered stainless steel that is incredibly durable, these spoons have machined finger grips for comfort and control. In addition to that, they also feature micro-serrations on both sides to improve stability.
With a satin finish that handles and hides wear and tear very well, this spoon set is a fantastic and affordable choice for home use as well as commercial purposes.
The spoons are about 7-8 inches long, which is a standard size, and feature a deep bowl-shaped design to make it easy to make the perfect quenelle.
2. Chef Spoons Choice Revolution Plating Spoons
Another great option for making the perfect sized quenelles, this pack of 2 plating spoons by Chef Spoons Choice Revolution come in an elegant shape and design.
Made of excellent quality stainless steel, they are incredibly durable and can be used for a variety of purposes including serving, cooking, and plating.
Over 7 inches in length and a little above 2 inches wide, these spoons feature a great shape and a bowl design with a 15ml liquid capacity.
The pointed top of the spoons is perfect for plating and scraping pans and the brushed finish makes them look classy and elegant. They also have a long and comfortable handle with a textured no-slip grip for easy handling.
3. Orange Zest Professional Culinary Saucier Decorating Spoons
This set of 2 spoons by Orange Zest is a well-designed and attractive-looking pair that is also incredibly versatile and multifunctional.
Perfect for creating quenelles, they are just the right shape and depth to make the process much easier.
The 2 spoons in this set are not the same size, though. One is 7.5 inches in length while the other is 9 inches, making them suitable for various serving and plating purposes.
With a simple slimline pattern and elegant mirror finish, the design looks elegant and professional and adds a wow factor to your plating and presentation.
Made of high-quality stainless steel, the spoons are heavy-duty and durable and can be used to prepare and serve a variety of dishes including quenelle, sauces, salad dressing, and more.
4. Berglander Black Dinner Spoons
This set of 4 stainless steel dinner spoons by Berglander is heavy-duty, durable, and great for everyday use. They are plated with titanium and are great in terms of design and quality.
They will not rust or bend and feature a smooth mirror finish to give them an attractive and elegant look.
Available in 4 beautiful colors – black, gold, rainbow, and silver – they look classy and luxurious and can also be used as a decoration for your dinner table.
They are dishwasher-safe and offer a well-balanced grip for comfortable use. They are not too light or heavy and are made keeping the perfect length, weight, and size in mind for quenelles.
5. J.B. Prince Chef Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon
The J.B. Prince Chef Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon is a 9-inch-long spoon ideal for a variety of uses.
It can be used to make quenelles among other functions and is great for home as well as professional use.
Made with plated stainless steel that cannot rust, get stained, or be discolored, it is the finest in terms of quality and has an attractive finish making it look stylish and elegant.
The handle of the spoon is brushed and well-balanced, allowing for a better grip and easy handling. With a long handle and small head, it can be used for a variety of purposes including serving, plating, stirring, and much more.
6. New Star Foodservice Precision Decorating Spoons
Featuring multiple sizes – 7 inches, 8 inches, and 9 inches – this commercial-grade spoon set is perfect for making quenelles and decorating appetizers and desserts with sauces and other toppings.
Constructed using heavy-duty 18/10 stainless steel, this spoon set by New Star Foodservice is completely stain and rust-resistant.
It features a narrow, tapered spout to give your quenelles the perfect three-sided oval shape. In addition to that, it is ergonomically designed and has intricate details to provide a comfortable and steady grip.
7. Bisda Buffet Serving Spoons
Made with the best quality stainless steel and an excellent finish that does not fade, the standout feature of these spoons is their appealing orange-red color.
Available in several other beautiful colors including black, blue, gold, purple, rainbow, and rose gold, these serving spoons by Bisda come in a set of 2.
One of the biggest quenelle spoons on this list, they are 10 inches in length and are perfectly designed for a variety of uses.
They feature smooth edges to make them comfortable and safe to use. In addition to that, they are also dishwasher-safe, making them super easy to clean.
Final Thoughts
If you want to up your plating game, you need to learn some basic techniques and know how to use the right tools.
When choosing the best quenelle spoons, you will have noticed the difference in features, designs, shapes, and sizes.
While you can use different types of spoons for quenelles, there are a few things in common between all the best ones: they allow you to create the perfect three-sided oval-shaped scoop.
Out of the lot, the Mercer Culinary 7 Piece Plating Spoon Kit grabs the top spot since it is unbeatable in terms of quality, design, and versatility. With several options to choose from, it can be used for a variety of everyday cooking and plating uses.
If you are on a budget and still want a good-quality quenelle spoon, you have two options: Orange Zest Professional Culinary Saucier Decorating Spoons and Berglander Black Dinner Spoons.
In addition to choosing the best quenelle spoons, you need to master the technique and practice a lot to make the perfect quenelles for an extraordinary dining experience.
