Sauces play an important role in cooking, adding not only flavor and aroma but also improving the texture of dishes. However, many people prefer store-bought sauces due to lack of time or fear of doing something wrong.
Mayonnaise is one of the most popular sauces around the world. It is characterized by its smooth consistency and rich flavor. Although it is easily available in stores, making homemade mayonnaise can be an interesting experience.
You will need only a few ingredients: eggs, vegetable oil, vinegar or lemon juice and salt. Using a blender or mixer, you can quickly and easily prepare fresh homemade mayonnaise without chemical additives, says Yulia Arkhipova, an expert on the MOS SMI portal in the field of cooking.
Introduction to the World of Homemade Sauces: Differences and Benefits
One of the most popular sauces is mayonnaise. It can be easily made at home from eggs, vegetable or olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, mustard and salt. Homemade mayonnaise has a richer taste and creamier texture than store-bought mayonnaise.
Another favorite sauce is ketchup. It is made from tomato paste or fresh tomatoes, spices (paprika, garlic) and vinegar are added to give it a special aroma. Homemade ketchup is not only tastier, but also healthier: it does not contain artificial coloring or flavoring agents.
If you want to diversify your cooking routine, try making sauces such as tartar or barbecue. Tartar is a mayonnaise sauce with capers, onions and herbs. It goes well with meat and fish dishes.
Recipes for classic sauces: mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard
To make mayonnaise, you will need fresh eggs, vegetable oil, vinegar or lemon juice, salt and pepper. First, break the eggs into a bowl and add a pinch of salt. Then start adding vegetable oil gradually, in a thin stream, whisking constantly until a uniform consistency is achieved. Add vinegar or lemon juice to give the sauce a sour taste. Taste and adjust the amount of salt and pepper to your taste.
Ketchup can be made from tomatoes (you can use fresh or canned), onions, garlic, sugar, vinegar and spices. First, fry the chopped onions and garlic in oil until golden brown.
Then add the tomatoes (if using fresh tomatoes, remove the skin and seeds), sugar, vinegar and spices. Simmer everything together over low heat for about 30 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Exquisite variations of sauces: tartar, barbecue and guacamole
Tartar is a French sauce made from mayonnaise with capers, cucumber and green onions. It is perfect for meat or fish appetizers.
Barbecue sauce is an American sauce based on tomato puree with the addition of various spices and seasonings. It goes well with grilling and is used for marinating or glazing meat.
Guacamole is an avocado sauce from Mexico that is made with tomatoes, onions, garlic and lemon juice. It is great for traditional Mexican dishes like tacos or tequila shrimp. Try these delicious sauces and add new flavors to your dishes!
Helpful Tips for Making and Storing Homemade Sauces
The first useful tip is to use only fresh ingredients. This will ensure that your sauce is natural and delicious. Check the expiration date of products, especially dairy products, before using.
The second piece of advice is to follow the recipe exactly. Each sauce has its own cooking characteristics, so it is important to follow the specified proportions and sequence of steps. This will ensure the correct consistency and flavor of your sauce.
The third tip is to choose the right storage for each sauce. Some homemade sauces require cold storage in the refrigerator, while others can be stored at room temperature. Make sure you pack and seal the storage containers properly to prevent air from getting in and keep the sauce fresh.
The fourth tip is to not overdo it with adding spices and seasonings. Using too many spices can overpower the original flavor of the sauce or make it too spicy.
How to Use Sauces in Different Dishes: Ideas and Recipes
Sauces are an important element of many dishes, giving them a special taste and aroma. Mayonnaise, ketchup and other simple sauces can be used not only for dressing salads or making juicy burgers, but also in various culinary experiments.
One way to use sauces is to add them to pasta or rice. For example, ketchup can be mixed with cooked pasta and vegetables or seafood can be added as desired. This is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious lunch.
Another interesting idea is to use mayonnaise in baking. It is a great substitute for butter or cream, making the dough more tender and juicy. Just add a few spoons of mayonnaise to the dough for muffins or a pie – the result will pleasantly surprise you.
In addition, sauces can be used to marinate meat before frying or baking. Mayonnaise sauce with the addition of garlic, herbs or spices will give your fried chicken a unique aroma and tenderness.
Don't forget about desserts. Ketchup can be used in combination with fruits or berries to make unusual and delicious desserts. Just mix ketchup with berry puree and add whipped cream - you will get a delicate sorbet ice cream.
Previously we wrote about how to make avocado sandwiches .
Expert: Arkhipova Julia
