quenelle

noun

que·​nelle kə-ˈnel 

: a poached oval dumpling of pureed forcemeat (as of pike) often served in a cream sauce

Examples of quenelle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Plate and finish with quenelles of tyrokafteri. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

Forget about fashionable foodie trends, the cuisine here remains a faithful homage to the master, perfectly reproducing his signature dishes like plump pike quenelle dumplings in a rich creamy Nantua sauce, succulent beef Rossini topped with foie gras or a tasty black truffle soup. —John Brunton, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026

Her chicken soup was the color of sunlight, her gefilte fish was as delicate as a French quenelle, her latkes were evenly browned. —Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026

The menu leans into elevated French classics: pike quenelles in lobster sauce, veal sweetbreads, lamb chops, and desserts that always land just right. —Molly Barstein, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from German Knödel dumpling, from Middle High German; akin to Old High German knoto knot — more at knot

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quenelle

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel