Get Saucy for National Sauce Month!

Did you know sauces were once used to mask the bland flavors of food? While seasonings have evolved to spice up food without the need for additional sauce, sometimes a little sauce is needed to elevate a dish to the next level. Celebrate sauces of all kinds this March for National Sauce Month.

Depending on the dish that you are making, there are a variety of sauces that you can choose from. Of course, there is the standard tomato sauce, however, this may not complement every dish. You can choose sauces that are creamy, spicy, or even savory for your meal this March.

Sauces give your favorite dishes an extra boost of flavor. A great alternative to store-bought sauce, which is often packed with added salt, sugar, and preservatives, is to make your own. Get creative with your own unique and tasty sauces made at home.

5 Classic Sauces

In the culinary world, 5 basic sauces are used as the bases for many other sauces. Each sauce is referred to as the “mother sauce” since they are the starting point for other unique secondary sauces. Check out the breakdown of these 5 sauces below:

Bechamel Sauce – This is a simple sauce that is often used as the base for dishes like mac and cheese, pasta, and gravy. This sauce calls for 3 simple ingredients, flour, milk, and butter. It is made by first thickening the milk and then adding in the rest of the ingredients and whatever spices you wish to add.

Velouté Sauce – This sauce Is often used with stock, such as chicken stock, that is left simmering for a few hours. It pairs well with fish or chicken dishes.

Espagnole Sauce – Often called “brown sauce,” this sauce is made by using a brown stock developed from the stock and bones from either chicken or fish. It is often rich in flavor and used to produce many demi-glazes.

Hollandaise Sauce – A rich and buttery sauce you may often find on top of bagels or English muffins. This sauce calls for liquid and thickening agents such as butter and warm egg yolks.

Tomato Sauce – You may be thinking of classic dishes such as pasta or pizza, however, tomato sauce is used to create many other sauces such as those used in Latin American dishes. This sauce often calls for a sauté of vegetables as a base, and then the addition of tomatoes, stock, and added spices.

4 Sauce Creations for Every Meal

Creating your own sauces at home can be simple when using a few ingredients found in your pantry. Check some of these delicious homemade sauces:

Berry Sauce: Combine a blend of blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries along with honey, cornstarch, and maple syrup. Mash the berries until smooth, spread across a piece of toast, or mix into your bowl of oatmeal and enjoy!

Pesto Sauce: Mix walnuts or pine nuts, a drop of extra-virgin olive oil, a handful of chopped basil, chopped garlic in a bowl. This sauce is perfect for a spread on top of a panini or flatbread sandwich at lunchtime.

Tomato Sauce: Combine chopped canned tomatoes, chicken, or vegetable stock, along with your favorite herbs and spices. Bring to a bowl in a big pot, then let simmer for 25- 30 minutes. Tomato sauces not only pair perfectly with your favorite pasta dishes, but you can easily add them to other chicken or turkey dishes, or into your favorite stir-fry.

Dark Chocolate Sauce: Make room for dessert! Combine dark chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, milk, and sugar. Whisk ingredients until smooth, and then bring to a boil until the sauce is smooth and chocolate is melted.

With so many unique sauce recipes, it may be time to experiment! However, if you are running low on time, store- brought sauces may be your go-to. However, when buying premade sauces always be sure to read the nutrition labels and choose sauces with few ingredients and ones that are low in added salt and sugar.

Your Turn to Action: What is your favorite kind of sauce? Let me know in the comment section below!