Bread sauce, a classic British condiment often associated with roast dinners, especially Christmas turkey, is a delicious addition to any festive meal. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the world of bread sauce, featuring Mary Berry’s renowned recipe and much more. You’ll learn how to make the perfect bread sauce, infused with aromatic spices like bay leaf and cloves, bring to the boil, peppercorns and milk seasoned to creamy perfection. We’ll cover everything from the essential ingredients to the step-by-step process, making this article an invaluable resource for anyone aiming to enhance their Christmas roast or Sunday dinner.
Bread Sauce Recipe Mary Berry
Ingredients
- 600 ml full-fat milk
- 1 small onion
- 2 bay leaves
- 85 g (3 oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
- 25 g (1 oz) unsalted butter
- Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Begin by making the studded onion. Take a small onion and pierce it with 6 whole cloves. This onion will infuse the milk with its flavor.
- In a saucepan, pour the milk and add the studded onion and bay leaf. Heat the milk gently without boiling. Allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes, infusing the flavors.
- While the milk is infusing, melt the butter in another saucepan over low heat.
- Remove the bay leaf from the milk and discard it. Also, remove the studded onion.
- Gradually stir in the breadcrumbs into the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue to cook gently for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Season the sauce with salt and white pepper to taste. If desired, you can add a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg for extra flavor.
- Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and serve it warm.
Notes
- Use fresh breadcrumbs. This will give the sauce a better flavor and texture. If you don’t have fresh breadcrumbs, you can make your own by toasting and then grinding white bread cubes.
- Don’t overcook the sauce. The sauce should be thickened, but it should still have a bit of bite to it. If you overcook the sauce, it will become dry and grainy.
- Season the sauce to taste. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. You can also add a bit of grated lemon zest or a splash of white wine for extra flavor.
- Serve the sauce hot. Bread sauce is best served hot, but it can also be served warm.
Table of contents
Why Bread Sauce Matters
Bread Sauce: Making bread sauce is a cherished part of British culinary tradition. It has been served alongside roasts for centuries, and its comforting, creamy texture and fragrant spices are a taste of home. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, understanding how to create the perfect bread sauce can elevate your roast dinner to the next level.
Mary Berry: Delicious Mary Berry, the renowned British chef and TV personality, is an authority on classic British Christmas recipes. Her bread sauce recipe is considered one of the best, and we will delve into her expert advice, ensuring your bread sauce is a delicious success.
Christmas Roast: The Christmas roast is a meal that brings families together and marks a special occasion. Bread sauce plays a crucial role in this tradition, enhancing the flavor of the white meat and providing a delightful accompaniment to the festive meal.
The Key Ingredients
Onions and Aromatics
One of the fundamental components of the aroma of the sauce is the humble onion. Onions, often underrated, are key to infusing the sauce with a deep and aromatic flavor. They provide a savory base that balances the richness of the bread and milk. In your saucepan, gently simmer the peeled add the onion with bay leaves and cloves. This will impart a subtle yet essential taste to your sauce.
Breadcrumbs and Milk
The heart of bread sauce is, of course, bread. Fresh, soft add the breadcrumbs, rather than crumbs from packaged bread, work best. These act as the thickening agent for the sauce, absorbing the milk and creating a creamy consistency. Whole milk, rich and creamy, is ideal for the sauce. It adds a luscious quality and flavor to your bread sauce.
Seasoning and Flavour
To transform the sauce from plain to perfect, seasoning is vital. Nutmeg, ground fresh as you make the sauce, adds an aromatic and slightly sweet note. Additionally, don’t forget to season with salt, which enhances the overall flavor. You can adjust these seasonings to your taste, but a touch of nutmeg is a must for that classic, festive taste.
Mary Berry’s Bread Sauce Recipe
Mary Berry’s bread sauce recipe is legendary for its deliciousness and simplicity. Here’s how to make it:
- Simmer the Aromatics: Place a peeled onion studded with cloves and bay leaf in a saucepan. Add a pint of whole milk and bring it to a gentle simmer. This will allow the milk to absorb the aromatic spices.
- Infuse the Milk: Once the milk has been gently simmered, remove from the heat. Allow it to stand and infuse for at least 30 minutes. This is a critical step to capture the full aroma of the spices and onion.
- Create the Breadcrumbs: While the milk is infusing, make your breadcrumbs by removing the crusts from slices of white bread. The finer and softer, the better.
- Thicken the Sauce: Strain the milk to remove the onion, cloves, and bay leaf. Return the infused milk to the saucepan, and gradually stir in the breadcrumbs. Continue stirring occasionally over low heat until the breadcrumbs have absorbed all the liquid, bbc creating a creamy, thick sauce.
- Season to Perfection: Grate in some freshly grated nutmeg, season with salt, and adjust to your taste medium heat. Your bread sauce is best now ready to serve alongside your roast.
Mary Berry’s recipe ensures a creamy, flavorful sauce that will complement your roast dinner beautifully.
Classic Bread Sauce and Variations
While Bread Sauce Mary Berry is a tried-and-true classic, there are several variations that you can explore:
Easy Bread Sauce Recipe
If you’re short on time, an easy bread sauce can be whipped up in no time. The essential components remain the same, but you can streamline the process for a quick, delicious accompaniment.
Leftover Bread Sauce
Don’t let any leftover homemade bread sauce go to waste. You can refrigerate thyme and reheat it gently when needed. It’s perfect for enjoying with roast chicken or any other white meat.
Microwave Bread Sauce
In a hurry? You can even microwave your bread liquid and the sauce for a speedy solution. Just make sure to reheat it gently to maintain its creamy consistency.
Freezing Bread Sauce
Prepare a large batch of bread sauce and freeze it in an airtight container. This will save you time when you’re preparing a roast dinner in the future.
Serving Bread Sauce on Christmas Day
Christmas dinner is a cherished tradition, and bread pieces sauce is a must on the festive table. Its creamy richness, infused with the scents of cloves and bay leaf, brings an added layer of flavor to the meal. Whether you’re serving turkey, chicken, or even roast beef, bread sauce is the condiment that ties the feast together.
The Traditional British Christmas Roast
The centerpiece of Christmas Day is often a beautifully roasted turkey and bread sauce complements it perfectly. Alongside roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and all the trimmings, bread sauce adds an extra dimension of flavor and nostalgia to your festive feast.
Making the Sauce on the Hob
While making the bread sauce, the aroma of the spices will fill your kitchen with a delightful scent. This is a moment that makes the whole house feel warm and festive. It’s a part of the Christmas experience that shouldn’t be underestimated.
The Final Touch
A well-made bread sauce should be smooth, creamy, and thick, with an irresistible aroma. The blend of onions, bay leaf, cloves, and nutmeg infuses the sauce with an irresistible depth of flavor. This traditional British condiment provides a comforting creaminess that’s hard to resist.
Conclusion: A Festive Tradition
Bread sauce is more than just a condiment; it’s a festive tradition. Mary Berry’s bread sauce recipe, with its infusion of bay leaf, cloves, and nutmeg, is a delightful addition to any Christmas roast. But don’t stop at Christmas; bread sauce can elevate any roast dinner and provide a touch of comfort and tradition to your table.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Bread Sauce Recipe Mary Berry complements roast poultry, such as chicken, turkey, and pheasant, beautifully. It’s a must-have for your holiday feasts.
Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and reheat it when needed. Just ensure it’s stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
It’s not recommended to freeze bread sauce as it can affect the texture and flavor. It’s best when made fresh.
Cloves and bay leaves infuse the milk with aromatic flavors, enhancing the overall taste of the bread sauce.
Bread Sauce Recipe Mary Berry is renowned for its simplicity and exceptional taste, making it a favorite among home cooks and food enthusiasts alike.
