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Epicurious
House & Garden

Quick Basic Brown Sauce

By James Beard

3.4

(4)

Ingredients

3 shallots or scallions, finely chopped
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup red wine
10 1/2-ounce can beef bouillon (not consommè)
1 teaspoon tarragon
Pinch thyme
salt, pepper
Beurre manié

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Sauté the chopped shallots or scallions in the butter. Gradually add the wine and bouillon. Let it come to a boil and add the seasonings. Cook down for a few minutes. Add beurre manié to thicken to taste. Let simmer for a few minutes and strain.

  2. Variations

    Step 2

    Bordelaise Sauce: Add a little poached marrow to the brown sauce. Correct the seasoning and add a touch of chopped parsley.

  3. Step 3

    Sauce Diablé: Add 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and a few dashes Tabasco to the brown sauce. Stir well.

    Step 4

    Sauce Périgueux: Add finely chopped truffles to the brown sauce.

TagsSauceRed WineWineAlcoholBeveragesShallotVegetableScallionOnionRoot VegetableTarragonHerbs & SpicesThymeEasySimmerHouse & Garden
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