Wine is popularly used in cooking to enhance flavors. White wine especially adds that extra tang to most foods. The flavor let out by white wine is mild and doesn’t over dilute the taste of the main ingredients. This is because the alcohol content in wine evaporates once cooked and leaves behind only the fabulous flavor of wine. A white wine sauce is perfect for all those pasta dishes or as an accompaniment to meat, seafood and even some mild vegetables. It is very easy to prepare and will definitely be a hit among your guests. Follow these simple steps below to prepare a tasty white wine sauce.
Complexity Level: Basic
Time Required: 20 minutes
Resources Required:
1. 4 tablespoons butter
2. 2 teaspoons flour
3. 1/2 cup white wine
4. Heavy whipping cream
5. 1 onion, finely chopped
6. Salt
7. Pepper
8. Dried parsley
9. Whisk
10. Saucepan
Instructions:
1. Saute onions
- Place the saucepan on medium heat.
- Melt the butter and add the chopped onion.
- Stir continuously for at least three to four minutes.
- The onions should be cooked to golden color, but shouldnât become crisp or brown. Overcooking it would change the entire taste of the sauce so make sure you watch it while stirring.
2. Prepare the sauce
- Reduce the heat to low and add the flour, little-by-little to avoid lumps.
- Whisk it nicely to form a paste like consistency.
- Pour in the wine and whisk until the mixture is smooth in texture.
- Keep stirring at intervals to make sure the mixture doesn’t burn and stick to the pan.
- Once the liquid has become thick, add a pinch of salt, pepper and some dried parsley for flavor.
- Add a dash of cream if you want the sauce to be more richer and creamier in consistency.
- Take it off the flame.
3. Serving
Spoon the mixture into a serving dish and keep it on the dinner table so that guests can serve as and when required. If you are serving meals in individual plates, then spoon the sauce on top of the meat, seafood or vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What other flavors can I use in white sauce?
You can use mild flavours like garlic or a squeeze of lemon which would liven up the sauce a lot. Whatever you add, make sure you add it in moderation, as the flavor of wine should definitely be obvious.
2. Is there any particular wine I should select for a sauce?
Although, there is no particular variety that you need to use, going for a smoky, dry or fruity wine would bring out the subsequent flavours in your sauce.
Quick Tips:
1. Use the same wine for the wine sauce that you intend to drink with your meal. Wine especially meant for cooking has added sodium which can enhance the final taste. You can also prevent wastage if you use the same opened wine.
2. Add some freshly grated parmesan cheese or some sauteed button mushrooms to the sauce for added flavor.
3. Use chicken broth instead of cream for a lighter and healthier version. Make sure you taste before you add salt, as the stock might contain enough salt.
Things To Watch Out For:
- Don’t use a very expensive wine for the sauce, as the alcohol gets evaporated and it’s only mild flavors that you anyway get after cooking.
- Wine sauce is high in calories with a high fat content. So, consuming it regularly is not good for health.
