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

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

In one dish, a healthy quenelle of caviar is perched upon an impossibly light dashi meringue shaped like a fish. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 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