Basic Brown Sauce Colonial Williamsburg Cookbook Recipes

BASIC BROWN SAUCE

Steps:

• Saute onion in butter in a heavy skillet until onion is tender; discard onion. Cook butter over low heat until it begins to brown. Add flour, stirring until smooth ( I find that a whisk works best). Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add bouillon granules, and gradually stir in water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Stir in pepper. Serve with beef or pork.
• Bordelaise Sauce: Substitute 1/3 cup dry red wine for 1/3 cup of the water, and stir in 3/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes and 1/4 teaspoon dried whole thyme; increase pepper to 1/4 teaspoon.
• Mushroom Brown Sauce: Saute 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms in 2 tablespoons butter; drain and stir into Basic Brown Sauce. Serve with beef.

BASIC BROWN SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the veal shank and knucklebones in a roasting pan, season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Roast in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 45 minutes. When the veal pieces are brown, brush them with 3 tablespoons of tomato paste and season again. Raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees F and return the pan to the oven for 15 more minutes. Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Saute the mirepoix vegetables and thyme in the butter to coat then stir in the remaining tomato paste and continue cooking until the vegetables are caramelized. Pour in the red wine to deglaze, stir. Transfer the browned bones to the stockpot. Whisk in the water and broth. Add the bouquet garni and bring the sauce to a boil. Simmer gently for about 3 hours, skimming periodically. Strain the sauce through cheesecloth or a chinois to remove the bones and vegetable solids. Continue to cook for 1 hour more, skimming any foam that rises to the top, until the sauce is reduced to 2 cups and nicely thickened. Taste for strength and seasoning. May whisk in a pat of softened butter to finish the sauce.
• Serve with meats or poultry.

BASIC BROWN SAUCE (COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG COOKBOOK)

Steps:

• 1. Melt the butter in a large heavy saucepan over low heat. Gradually add the flour and stir constantly until the mixture is chestnut brown. It may be necessary to turn off the heat completely at intervals so that the flour will not burn or become too dark.
• 2. When the desired color has been reached, add the tomato puree and stir well. Gradually add the hot stock and powdered beef bouillon, using a wire whisk to insure smoothness. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to the lowest degree possible. Simmer 2 hours or until the sauce has been reduced to about 1 1/2 quarts.
• 3. Add the bottled brown gravy sauce, salt, and caramel color if desired. Remove from the heat and strain through a fine sieve. Cool to room temperature and store refrigerated.

COLONIAL GAME PIE (KING'S ARMS TAVERN)

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Salt the cavity of the duck and place it on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, breast side up. Bake for 30 minutes at 400, reduce the heat to 325, and bake until the duck tests done.
• 2. Simmer the rabbit in a small amount of water for 60 minutes or until tender.
• 3. Cut the venison into large cubes and saute in the vegetable oil in a large skillet until well browned, stirring and turning as necessary. Remove the venison and drain the oil from the skillet.
• 4. Add the port wine to the skillet and boil for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any brown particles. Return the venison to the skillet and add the Brown Sauce. Simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until the venison is tender.
• 5. Cut the duck and rabbit meat in medium-sized pieces, and place in the skillet with the venison to keep warm. Season with the Worcestershire sauce, garlic, pepper, and currant jelly.
• 6. Saute the mushrooms in the butter until lightly browned. Fry the bacon until crisp, and drain. Heat the onions and drain.
• 7. Divide the game mixture into individual greased casserole dishes and garnish the top of each with mushrooms, bacon, and onions. Cover each dish with the pastry crust, trim the edges, and prick the tops to allow the steam to escape.
• 8. Beat the egg lightly with the milk to make an egg wash and brush the tops of the pastry with the mixture. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Serve piping hot.