Making a red wine sauce can enhance the flavor of many dishes, particularly those featuring beef, lamb, or venison. Here's a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of red wine (choose a good quality wine that you enjoy drinking)
- 1 shallot finely chopped.
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced.
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 cup of beef or veal stock (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, finely chopped
Instructions:
1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped shallot and minced garlic. Sauté until the shallot becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Deglaze with Wine: Pour the red wine into the saucepan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Allow the wine to simmer and reduce by about half, which will intensify its flavor, for about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add Stock: Once the wine has reduced, pour in the beef or veal stock. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Incorporate Butter: Cut the butter into small pieces and gradually whisk them into the sauce, allowing each addition to melt before adding more. This will help to thicken and enrich the sauce, giving it a glossy finish.
5. Season and Strain (Optional): Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve to remove any solids like shallot or garlic.
6. Finish: If desired, stir in some freshly chopped herbs like thyme or rosemary to add extra flavor to the sauce.
7. Serve: Once the sauce reaches your desired consistency and flavor, it's ready to be served. Pour it over your cooked beef, lamb, or venison dishes, and enjoy!
Remember, cooking times and ingredient proportions can be adjusted according to your personal taste preferences. Feel free to experiment with different wine varieties and additional seasonings to create a red wine sauce that perfectly complements your favorite dishes.