Brown Roux Recipes

BROWN ROUX

Steps:

• Pour the oil into a saucepan. Slide it over medium heat and get the oil nice and hot. Whisk in the flour. Cook, whisking constantly-it will be a bit grainy at first. Soon the flour will start turning color. This will deepen with every passing minute. You're aiming to get a nice chocolate brown color and a rich, nutty, toasted smell. So open up your senses and keep whisking. Once the roux reaches the perfect color and smell, pull the pan off the heat and keep whisking as it cools down a bit. It will get thinner and smoother. Use the roux right away or pour it into a plastic container and let it cool down completely. Refrigerate til you need it.

WHITE ROUX

Steps:

• Heat fat or over medium high heat. Add flour all at once whisking vigorously. When mixture thins and starts to bubble, reduce heat to low and cut back on the whisking. Cook until you smell a toasty aroma then cook 2 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
• Roux can be used immediately to thicken a liquid that is at or below room temperature. To thicken a hot liquid, allow roux to cool to room temperature, or refrigerate.
• Tightly wrapped, roux can be refrigerated for up to a month. Simply break off pieces and use as needed.

MICROWAVE ROUX

Steps:

• Mix oil and flour together in a 4 cup glass container (I use a Pyrex 4-cup).
• Microwave uncovered on high for 6-7 minutes.
• Stir at 6 minutes with a wooden spoon--roux will be a light brown at this time and will need to cook 30 seconds to 1 minute longer to reach the dark brown color so important in making Louisiana gumbos and stews.
• The roux will be VERY HOT, but usually the handle on your measuring cup will stay cool enough to touch.
• When the roux has reached a very dark brown (think a coffee grounds dark brown), remove from microwave and CAREFULLY (remember--the roux is very hot!); add the onion, celery, and bell pepper, a little at a time.
• Stir and return to microwave.
• Sauté on high for 2 minutes.
• You should now have about 3 3/4 cup of roux.
• If any oil has risen to the top, you can pour this off.
• Slowly, add enough hot water to bring the roux to the 4 cup mark.
• Stir and you will have a smooth, dark roux in only 12 minutes!
• Roux freezes very well and you are ready at any time to put together a delicious gumbo or stew!

MICROWAVE BROWN ROUX

Steps:

• In a 1-quart microwave-safe measuring cup or soufflé dish whisk together vegetable oil or rendered fat and flour until combined well. Microwave roux, uncovered, at high power (100%), whisking at 2-minute intervals, 8 minutes. If roux is not the dark reddish-brown color of chestnut shells, microwave at high power, whisking and checking color at 1-minute intervals, until roux reaches desired color. Roux may be made 1 week ahead, cooled completely, and chilled, covered. Reheat roux before using.

DARK ROUX

Steps:

• Place rack in center of oven. Heat oven to 325 degrees. On the stovetop, melt shortening in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Gradually sift flour over shortening; whisk to combine. Mixture will be thick and pasty. Continue to whisk until light brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Transfer skillet to oven; let roux cook until very dark brown, 3 to 3 1/2 hours, whisking every 45 minutes (whisk every 30 minutes if pan is not cast iron).