Speaking of favorites, my favorite kitties keeping me company as I write. Max on the left, Miles on the right.
OK, this is going to be a long list. Because if there is one food type that I like almost better than any other, it’s gravies, sauces, and toppings. You will find that My Favorite Gravies list has already been posted under My Favorite Gravies (imagine that!). And I know, sometimes it’s hard to distinguish a gravy from a sauce or topping, and vice versa. But then, the item must be called something. So, pardon me if I have your favorite sauce, gravy, or topping in the wrong category. But enough jabbering and on to why I made this list in the first place.
When you go to a fine restaurant, you almost always find expensive meat dishes served with a sauce, gravy, or topping of some kind. And the reason is simple. A plain piece of beef, chicken, pork, or fish is boring. The same with veggies. It’s the sauce, gravy, or topping that makes any simply prepared food more flavorful. If more home cooks took a hint from restaurant dining and served simply prepared meat, seafood, and veggies with a bit of “something” on top or to the side, I feel it would up their credibility as a great cook in the eyes of their family and friends. It doesn’t take much. Even a dab of this or that makes such a huge difference. So, this list might just possibly come in handy.
And of course, I have many more recipes on this site from which to choose. With gazillions more on the internet available with just a few keystrokes. It only takes a short time to find a recipe that would work for you. And believe me, your family and friends will appreciate your effort.
Well, that’s it for today. It’s cloudy, sunny, and a bit windy on Camano Island this afternoon. No sign of snow yet, but the weather guys assure us that mixed snow and rain could happen at any time. All I can say is -bring it on! I love snow. Even though we have tickets this evening to hear Timothy Eagan speaking at the Lincoln Theater in Mount Vernon on the value of community libraries (speaking to the choir here, but what the heck), if it should start to snow, I wouldn’t be shattered. Like I said, I love snow.
Anyway, I hope you find my list of savory and sweet sauces and toppings helpful. If nothing else, it might give you ideas. And isn’t it always fun to have an idea rattling around in your brain.
Peace and love to all.
SAVORY SAUCES AND TOPPINGS
Arrabiata Sauce (under Pasta with Arrabiata Sauce)
Beefy Red Wine Sauce with Shallot, Garlic, and Rosemary
Beurre Blanc Sauce (under Seared Scallops with Beurre Blanc Sauce)
Blender Hollandaise
Butter, Sage, and Lemon Cream Sauce (under Angel Hair Pasta with a Butter, Sage, and Lemon Cream Sauce)
Chimichurri Sauce (under Grilled Argentine (Like) Marinated Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce)
Creamy Lemon Aioli
Curry Sauce for Chicken, Shrimp, Beef, or Lamb
Demi-Glace
Different Butters (under Pan Seared Tenderloin or Filet Mignon Steaks with Different Butters)
Dijon Cognac Cream Sauce (under Pork Tenderloin with a Dijon Cognac Cream Sauce)
Garam Masala Sauce (under Ground Lamb Meatballs in a Garam Masala Sauce)
Garlic Herb Butter (under Easy Overnight Chewy Dinner Rolls – No Knead)
Gorgonzola Cream Sauce (under Ricotta Cheese Gnocchi in a Gorgonzola Cream Sauce)
Green Chili Sauce (under Green Chili Sauce with Pork)
Horseradish Cream Sauce (under Simple Braised Corned Beef with Horseradish Cream Sauce)
Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce
Lemon Aioli
Lemon Basil Aioli
Lemon Caper Sauce (under Baked Chilean Sea Bass in a Lemon Caper Sauce)
Lemon-Dill Tartar Sauce
Marinara Sauce
Mushroom Red Wine Sauce (under Ground Beef Patties with Mushroom Red Wine Sauce)
Mushroom Wine Sauce (under Chicken Breasts in a Mushroom Wine Sauce over Creamy Polenta)
Orange Marmalade Sauce (under Duck Breasts with Orange Marmalade Sauce)
Red Chili Sauce (under Cheese Enchiladas with Red Chili Sauce)
Rémoulade Sauce
Savory Bourbon BBQ Sauce
Steak Sauce with Mushrooms
Stroganoff Sauce (under Meatloaf with Stroganoff Sauce)
The 5 Mother Sauces of Classical Cuisine (made easy)
Tzatziki
SWEET SAUCES AND TOPPINGS
Blueberry Rhubarb Sauce
Bourbon Caramel Whipped Cream
Caribbean Rum-Raisin Ice Cream Sauce
Chocolate Kahlúa Ice Cream Sauce
Fresh Raspberry Sauce
Fresh Strawberry Sauce (under Chocolate Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Sauce)
Strawberry, Rhubarb, and Blueberry Compote with Bourbon