**Indulge in Culinary Delights: Explore a Trio of Versatile White Sauces**
Elevate your culinary skills and tantalize your taste buds with a trio of delectable white sauces, each boasting its own unique flavor profile and versatility. From the classic Béchamel sauce, a staple in French cuisine, to the rich and creamy Alfredo sauce, a beloved Italian favorite, and the tangy and flavorful Mornay sauce, perfect for enhancing casseroles and other dishes, this comprehensive guide unveils the secrets behind these culinary gems. Discover the art of crafting these sauces from scratch, ensuring a smooth and lump-free consistency, and explore their endless possibilities in various culinary creations.
**Béchamel Sauce: A Culinary Cornerstone**
Béchamel sauce, a foundational element in French cuisine, forms the base for countless culinary creations, including lasagnas, gratins, and croquettes. Its velvety texture and subtle flavor make it an ideal companion for a wide range of dishes.
**Alfredo Sauce: A Taste of Italy**
Alfredo sauce, synonymous with Italian culinary artistry, captivates taste buds with its rich, creamy texture and distinct cheesy flavor. This versatile sauce pairs harmoniously with pasta, vegetables, and proteins, adding a touch of indulgence to any meal.
**Mornay Sauce: A Tangy Twist**
Mornay sauce, an exquisite variation of Béchamel, adds a delightful tang with the incorporation of Gruyère cheese. Its creamy texture and flavorful complexity make it an ideal choice for gratin dishes, macaroni and cheese, and other culinary delights.
Embark on a culinary journey with this comprehensive guide, mastering the art of crafting these three white sauces and unlocking a world of culinary possibilities.
GRILLED SWORDFISH WITH WHITE HOT SAUCE
I'm showing you how to grill what I think is the most delicious seafood named after a weapon (sorry razor clam!). Although, I'm going to be honest, this was really just an excuse to show you the white hot sauce.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Swordfish Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Crush the habanero and kosher salt into a fine paste with a mortar and pestle before whisking in mayonnaise, horseradish, lemon juice, vinegar, white pepper, and garlic powder.
- Strain sauce through a fine mesh strainer before using to remove the pepper skins and particles of horseradish. Set aside until needed.
- Preheat a charcoal grill until coals are very hot.
- Coat filets on both sides with olive oil and season with salt.
- Place filets on the preheated grill, flipping as needed, until they spring back lightly to the touch. Remove from heat.
- Plate fish as desired and top with white hot sauce and green onions.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 650.2 calories, Carbohydrate 3.9 g, Cholesterol 86.4 mg, Fat 55.2 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 34 g, SaturatedFat 9.1 g, Sodium 728.4 mg
ALABAMA-STYLE WHITE BARBECUE SAUCE
This incredibly easy-to-make Alabama white barbecue sauce was invented in 1925 by Robert 'Big Bob' Gibson at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q restaurant, in Decatur. Don't let this mixture's appearance stop you from trying what is a devastatingly delicious marinade, basting sauce, and serving sauce.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes BBQ Sauce Recipes
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, horseradish, lemon juice, black pepper, mustard, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder together in a bowl. Whisk together thoroughly until creamy and smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 540.1 calories, Carbohydrate 4.7 g, Cholesterol 27.9 mg, Fat 58.4 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 8.7 g, Sodium 788.5 mg, Sugar 1.8 g
CHEF JOHN'S GREEN SAUCE
This is about as primitive as it gets. Take some garlic, capers, anchovy, and parsley, and smash it up in a molcajete. Add a little oil and vinegar, possibly a pinch of salt and pepper, and you have maybe the world's greatest grilled meat condiment. nI guessed at these amounts as this is not a recipe that requires precise measurements; do everything to taste.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Sauces
Time 15m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Crush garlic and salt in a molcajete or with a mortar and pestle until garlic has a paste-like texture. Add parsley, capers, and anchovy paste; grind into garlic until mixture is coarsely ground.n
- Stir oil and vinegar into parsley mixture.n
Nutrition Facts : Calories 135.4 calories, Carbohydrate 3 g, Cholesterol 1.3 mg, Fat 13.7 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 480.6 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
CHEF JOHN'S AMERICAN GOULASH
One of my all-time favorite comfort food meals growing up was the beef goulash they served in my school cafeteria alongside a slice of buttered white bread and a carton of milk. Little did I know that it wasn't really goulash, but an Americanized version, invented to stretch a small amount of beef into enough food for a not-so-small family. This is one of those very simple dishes that does not taste simple--perfect for your weeknight dinner rotation.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Goulash Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and ground beef. Cook, breaking the meat into small pieces, until browned, about 5 minutes. Cook and stir until liquid is evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes more. Add garlic, salt, black pepper, cayenne, paprika, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
- Cook and stir until flavors come together, about 3 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and marinara sauce. Rinse out the jar with 1 cup water and pour into the pot. Add soy sauce, stir, and bring soup to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and simmer to let flavors intensify, about 30 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium-high and bring soup to a simmer. Add macaroni; simmer, stirring occasionally, until just barely tender, about 12 minutes. Check for doneness after 10 minutes.
- Remove goulash from heat. Discard bay leaves; stir in parsley and Cheddar cheese. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes. Taste and season as desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 336.3 calories, Carbohydrate 25.1 g, Cholesterol 58.1 mg, Fat 17.3 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 1168.9 mg, Sugar 7.4 g
RIGATONI AL SEGRETO (RIGATONI WITH SECRET SAUCE)
This Rigatoni al Segreto recipe was the most closely guarded secret at Gino's, one of New York City's most famous Italian restaurants. When it closed, the recipe got out. But I think the amount of butter was way too low. So here's my version.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, salt. Cook until no longer white and starting to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook about 1 minute. Add chili flakes and blended tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer; adjust heat to medium to medium-low. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 45 to 60 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes (5 minutes from doneness).
- Add about 2/3 of the basil to the sauce. Stir in butter. When butter melts, add cheese in 3 increments.
- Drain pasta; transfer to sauce. Stir until rigatoni are evenly coated with sauce. Serve sprinkled with the remaining basil and a dusting of grated cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 595.9 calories, Carbohydrate 57.9 g, Cholesterol 48.1 mg, Fat 33 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 17.7 g, SaturatedFat 12.9 g, Sodium 1431.4 mg, Sugar 3.8 g
CHEF JOHN'S WHITE BREAD
I mostly eat whole grain breads but occasionally will indulge in some white, which if we're being honest, really is a more special bread-eating experience, especially for sandwiches. The buttery, slightly sweet, but mostly neutral flavor of white bread really lets the main ingredients shine. So, whether you're a nostalgic baby boomer like me, or just a curious millennial 'wondering' what a classic white bread tastes like, I really do hope you give this a try soon.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes White Bread Recipes
Time 4h10m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Pour warm milk into a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Sprinkle yeast on top and let dissolve until a few small bubbles begin to a form, 10 to 15 minutes. Add beaten egg, sugar, vinegar, baking soda, salt, cayenne, flour, and butter.
- Knead on low speed until dough begins to come together. Increase speed slightly and knead about 3 minutes more. Use a spatula to scrape the sides clean and gather the dough into the center. Cover and let rise until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Butter a spatula and a loaf pan. Scrape the dough into the pan using the spatula. Smooth out the top to distribute dough evenly. Dust the top with flour and press gently to even out the dough. Let rise in pan for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Use a sharp knife or razor to cut a deep slash lengthwise through the center of the loaf. You may need to go over it several times. Brush the top with most of the melted butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
- Brush hot loaf with remaining butter. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool for at least 1 hour before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 211.3 calories, Carbohydrate 29.8 g, Cholesterol 36.9 mg, Fat 7.6 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 5.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 301.1 mg, Sugar 2.8 g
NORWEGIAN BUTTER SAUCE (SANDEFJORDSMOR)
This amazing and simple butter sauce is wonderful on all types of fish, but also works beautifully on shrimp and lobster.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes
Time 27m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place lemon juice in saucepan over medium heat; simmer until lemon juice reduces to less than a tablespoon and almost disappears, 4 or 5 minutes, being careful not to let it burn. Quickly add cream; whisk to combine. Continue to cook until cream reduces and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 5 or 6 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
- Whisk in 2 or 3 pieces of cold butter, stirring until butter melts before adding more. Add 2 or 3 more butter cubes. (If cream mixture cools too quickly, the sauce may break.) Continue adding butter a few pieces at a time until all butter is emulsified into the cream, 8 to 10 minutes. Add salt, cayenne pepper, and 2 generous tablespoons chopped parsley. Whisk until well blended. Keep sauce warm until ready to use.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 241.5 calories, Carbohydrate 6.8 g, Cholesterol 78.9 mg, Fat 25.6 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 1.5 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, Sodium 54.7 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
CHEF JOHN'S TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE
I consider this the king of comfort food casseroles. What I love about this recipe, other than that it is simple and easy, is that it doesn't require the traditional can of cream of mushroom soup--but it still has the same amount of creamy, decadent goodness that every casserole should. Serve this with a green salad on the side.
Provided by Chef John
Time 1h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt until it starts to soften up and turn translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the flour, and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes, reducing heat if needed.
- Pour in cold milk and whisk for 1 minute. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and comes to a simmer. Remove from heat, whisk in Cheddar cheese, and reserve until needed.
- Fill a large pot with water and remaining salt and bring to a rapid boil. Cook egg noodles for 5 minutes. Drain well and add to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the reserved sauce, followed by tuna, peas, cayenne, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix with a spatula until evenly combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Mix bread crumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and olive oil together in a small bowl until combined and resembling wet sand. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake in the center of the preheated oven until browned and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 511.3 calories, Carbohydrate 46.2 g, Cholesterol 86 mg, Fat 22.8 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 29.7 g, SaturatedFat 10.4 g, Sodium 808.5 mg, Sugar 8.3 g
CHEF JOHN'S TOMATO SAUCE
This is one of my most requested food wishes, my all-purpose basic tomato sauce. Whenever I make a meat sauce, this is my base. You can only stir this with a wooden spoon, otherwise it's bad luck.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes Pasta Sauce Recipes Tomato
Time 2h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Place olive oil, onion, celery, and a pinch of salt into a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Cook until onions are very soft, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix garlic into onion mixture and cook just until fragrant, about 1 more minute.
- Pour tomatoes and their juice into a large mixing bowl and use your hands to crush the tomatoes until they look pureed.
- Mix sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, anchovy paste, white wine vinegar, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes into vegetable mixture. Raise heat to medium and cook just until liquid has evaporated. Stir in tomato paste and bring to a simmer. Pour in San Marzano tomatoes and parsley. Bring sauce to a simmer, turn heat to low, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, adding a little water as the sauce cooks down. Stir occasionally.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 115.9 calories, Carbohydrate 13 g, Cholesterol 0.3 mg, Fat 7.1 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 674 mg, Sugar 7.3 g
CHEF JOHN'S CIOPPINO
When you feel like splurging a little, San Francisco's famous Cioppino is a great choice.This spicy fish and shellfish stew is a big red bowl of yummy, and when paired with a loaf of crusty sourdough bread, it's downright otherworldly.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Seafood
Time 1h20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Combine butter and olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat.
- Stir in onion and celery with a pinch of salt; cook until onion is soft and golden, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir wine into onion mixture; increase heat to high and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in tomato puree, water, bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes, and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer 35 minutes.
- Increase heat to high and bring mixture to a boil. Stir in lemon and cod, return to simmer, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in crab, shrimp, and mussels. Cover and simmer until all mussels are cooked and open, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in fresh parsley and basil; season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 431.2 calories, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 187.3 mg, Fat 12.1 g, Fiber 7.9 g, Protein 41.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 1058.9 mg, Sugar 9 g
CHEF JOHN'S SPAGHETTI WITH RED CLAM SAUCE
Steps:
- Pour olive oil into cold skillet. Add garlic, capers, anchovy paste, and red pepper flakes. Place over medium heat and cook and stir until the oil is infused with the flavors of the mixture, about 5 minutes, taking care not to brown the garlic. Add tomato sauce and rinse jar with 1/4 cup water; add water to skillet. Pour in wine and juice from clams, reserving the clams. Bring to a simmer until slightly reduced and thickened, 7 to 9 minutes.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost al dente, or about 1 minute less than directed on package. Drain. Return pasta to the pot off heat.
- Stir clams into the sauce. Pour sauce over pasta. Stir; cover the pot to allow it to finish cooking off heat and to allow the pasta will absorb some of the sauce, about 3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Top with chopped fresh basil and/or parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 852 calories, Carbohydrate 116.9 g, Cholesterol 71.5 mg, Fat 16.5 g, Fiber 8.4 g, Protein 44.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 1513.8 mg, Sugar 18.6 g
CHEF JOHN'S CHIMICHURRI SAUCE
Chimichurri is a fabulous green sauce that's been steadily growing in popularity across the American restaurant landscape. This herby, garlicky, tangy, spicy, and very green condiment is great on all kinds of grilled meats.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes
Time 15m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Combine oil, garlic, vinegar, salt, cumin, red pepper flakes, black pepper, cilantro, oregano, and parsley in a blender.
- Pulse blender 2 to 3 times; scrape down the sides using a rubber spatula. Repeat pulsing and scraping process until a thick sauce forms, about 12 times.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 255.3 calories, Carbohydrate 3 g, Fat 27.3 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 304.5 mg, Sugar 0.2 g
CREAMY RICOTTA PASTA SAUCE
A simple marriage of ricotta cheese, egg, and a secret ingredient make for a sauce that's even creamier than those that use heavy cream, which can be a bit too rich and filling. I mean, come on, I'm trying to save room for the tiramisu. Ricotta gives this sauce a cheesy tanginess that we don't get with heavy cream. I love to top this pasta with lots of ricotta salata, a great summer cheese.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook orecchiette according to package directions, reducing time by 1 minute, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine ricotta cheese, egg, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. Mix until a paste forms. Add 1/3 cup hot pasta water and whisk well. Repeat with another 1/3 cup pasta water.
- Transfer pasta to a saucepan using a strainer, letting most, but not all, the water drain off. Reserve cooking water. Add the sauce mixture and turn heat to medium. Cook and stir until sauce thickens enough to coat the pasta evenly, about 2 minutes. Add more pasta water if sauce gets too thick. Stir in pesto. Taste and season as desired. Transfer pasta to a warm bowl.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 296.6 calories, Carbohydrate 42.4 g, Cholesterol 51.5 mg, Fat 9.4 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 11.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 616.7 mg, Sugar 1.1 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the sauce will taste. Use fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices, and choose a good quality white wine.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: The vegetables should be tender but still have a little bit of bite to them. Overcooking them will make them mushy and flavorless.
- Add the flour and butter gradually: This will help to prevent the sauce from becoming lumpy. Add the flour and butter in small amounts, whisking constantly, until the sauce has reached the desired consistency.
- Season the sauce to taste: Use salt, pepper, and nutmeg to season the sauce to taste. You can also add a touch of cayenne pepper for a little bit of heat.
- Serve the sauce immediately: White sauce is best served immediately after it is made. If you need to store the sauce, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and refrigerating it for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
White sauce is a versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a great choice for pasta, vegetables, and fish. It can also be used as a base for other sauces, such as Alfredo sauce or béchamel sauce. With its creamy texture and rich flavor, white sauce is sure to please everyone at the table.
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