Four Seasons’ Brown Sauce (Sauce Espagnole) Recipe 🍲
Cook Time: 11 hours
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 11 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 4 Cups
Introduction:
Indulge in the exquisite taste of Four Seasons’ Brown Sauce, a culinary gem from one of New York City’s finest restaurants. This sauce, also known as Sauce Espagnole, is not only a standalone delight but also a versatile component in various recipes. While its creation demands patience, the resulting flavor is unparalleled. Rich, savory, and deeply satisfying, it’s a testament to the magic of simple ingredients transformed by time and technique.
Ingredients:
- 2 carrots
- 1/2 onion
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup fresh tomato
- 1 1/2 cups white wine
- 1 quart stock (chicken or beef)
- Fatback (for browning)
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brown carrots and onions slowly with the fatback and add the seasonings. 🥕🧅🔥 |
| 2 | Mix flour and butter to form a roux and add, mixing well. 🍲 |
| 3 | Add a quart of stock and simmer very slowly for three hours. ⏰ |
| 4 | Strain the mixture and let it stand overnight. 🌙 |
| 5 | Add the remaining stock, tomatoes, and wine. Simmer slowly for 2 hours, skimming fat and scum. 🍅🍷 |
| 6 | Strain the sauce again for a smooth texture. 🧾 |
| 7 | Enjoy the rich, velvety Four Seasons’ Brown Sauce with your favorite dishes! 😋 |
Tips:
- Patience is Key: Allow the sauce to simmer slowly, unlocking layers of flavor with each passing hour.
- Make Ahead: Prepare a batch and store it in the fridge for several days or freeze for future use.
- Versatile Elegance: Use this sauce to elevate meats, pasta dishes, vegetables, and more. Its depth of flavor complements a myriad of culinary creations.
- Skimming Technique: Regularly skim off any fat or impurities that rise to the surface during the simmering process for a cleaner, smoother sauce.
- Enhance with Herbs: Experiment with additional herbs like rosemary or parsley to customize the flavor profile to your liking.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 411.9
- Fat: 16.9g
- Saturated Fat: 10.2g
- Cholesterol: 40.6mg
- Sodium: 3046.1mg
- Carbohydrates: 44.6g
- Fiber: 3.3g
- Sugar: 4.7g
- Protein: 10.4g
Final Thoughts:
Crafting Four Seasons’ Brown Sauce is a labor of love, a journey through time and taste that rewards the senses and elevates any dish it graces. As you delve into the art of sauce-making, savor each step, knowing that the end result is nothing short of culinary perfection. Whether enjoyed immediately or stored for future culinary adventures, this sauce is a testament to the timeless allure of gastronomy’s finest creations.
