Sauces and Condiments Flashcards
Memorize the sauces and condiments that bring variety and life to our meals, from the familiar to the unusual.
What is a sauce?
a prepared liquid that has been composed to enhance and complement the natural flavors of a dish
often fresh, cooked with the dish
also adds visual appeal
can be hot or cold, thick or thin
can be made from a variety of ingredients like cream, butter, oil, stock, wine, etc.
What is a condiment?
a prepared liquid or dry seasoning mixture that is added to food to impart a particular flavor
can also complement the dish
added either during preparation or before/during consumption based on individual tastes
often preserved or fermented
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
adobo
strong marinade made from paprika, oregano, salt, garlic, oil, and vinegar
popular in Spanish and Filipino cuisines as a way to preserve and enhance meats
many variations have been created due to cultural and regional differences
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
aioli
a cold, emulsified condiment made from eggs, vinegar, and oil
Note: similar commercial versions are commonly called mayonnaise
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
alfredo sauce
a white, creamy sauce made from butter and large amounts of cheese that is to be tossed with warm pasta
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
barbecue sauce
a dark American sauce with many different variations depending on region
most commonly made with: tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, chili powder, and beef stock
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
basil pesto
a condiment made by mixing fresh basil with olive oil, raw garlic, toasted pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and lemon juice
a staple in Italian cuisine
often eaten with freshly baked bread or tossed in a cold pasta dish
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
béarnaise
a warm, creamy, emulsified sauce made from reduced white wine vinegar, shallots, tarragon, egg yolks, and clarified butter
a classic French sauce commonly paired with beef
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
bechamel
a thick cream sauce made by whisking warm seasoned milk into a roux
commonly used in recipes for “creamed spinach”
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
beurre blanc
a creamy, white, emulsified sauce made by whisking cold cubes of butter into a warm reduction of vinegar, shallots, and garlic
a classic French sauce that is often paired with chicken or fish
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
bolognese sauce
a classic Italian tomato and meat sauce
made by browning meat (beef and pork) in olive oil with celery, onions, herbs, red wine, and crushed tomatoes
the contents are then cooked for an extended period of time and served over pasta
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
chimichurri
a condiment made from chopped parsley, garlic, oil, red pepper flakes, and vinegar
originates from Argentinean cuisine
commonly paired with grilled beef
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
cocktail sauce
sauce made from ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Tabasco
to be paired with shrimp for the classic “shrimp cocktail”
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
coulis
a sauce made from cooked fruits or vegetables that are then pureed to various degrees of thickness
a common recipe is “raspberry coulis”
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
curry
a thick, spicy gravy used to cook meat, seafood, or vegetables
found in cuisines around the world with innumerable ways of preparation depending on culture and region
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
dressing
a sauce used to “dress” salad greens or vegetables
made from a base such a aioli, sour cream, or crème fraîche
examples include ranch and thousand island
different from a vinaigrette in that it is thicker and its ingredients have not been emulsified
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
emulsified sauce
a sauce made from two or more liquids that have been bound into one homogeneous mixture by means of whisking or blending
aioli, vinaigrette, hollandaise, and béarnaise are all examples of emulsified sauces
a binder like mustard or egg yolks is often used to stabilize both liquids
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
gravy
sauce often made with/from juices that result from the cooking of meat or vegetables (jus)
often thickened with a roux
common in American and English cuisines
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
harissa
a spicy condiment made from ground chilies, spices, and herbs blended with olive oil
can be used as a paste to coat meat or vegetables
can also be diluted with water or broth to make a sauce
popular in North African cuisines
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
hoisin
thick, dark sauce most commonly made with sweet potatoes or soybeans, garlic, oil, chilies, and sweeteners
sweet, salty, and slightly spicy
often paired with “Peking Duck”
popular in Chinese American cuisine
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
hollandaise sauce
a warm, emulsified sauce made from water, egg yolks, clarified butter, and lemon juice
staple of French cuisine
the defining component of the dish “Eggs Benedict”
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
hummus
a thick condiment made by pureeing cooked chickpeas with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and (commonly) paprika
often eaten as a side dish to a bigger meal with pita and pickled vegetables (falafel, shawarmas, grilled meats)
staple in Middle Eastern cuisines
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
jus
the natural juices released from meat during the cooking process
when something is referred to as “au jus” it is being “served in its own juices”
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
ketchup
popular, preserved tomato sauce that is seasoned with vinegar, sugar, and spices
the origins of the word and of this method of preservation are disputed
likely originated in China
British explorers discovered and popularized it in the 1700s
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
lyonnaise sauce
a classic French sauce made from a reduction of sauteed onions, butter, reduced white wine, and veal stock
traditional dishes from Lyon, France, most famous for their onions, are a staple of French cuisine
dishes described as “a la lyonnaise” will always incorporate sauteed onions and butter
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
marinade
a sauce that is applied to meat or vegetables prior to cooking and not meant to be eaten with the finished dish
marinades are often made from oil, vinegars, salt, seasonings, and spices
meant to enhance flavor and tenderize the corresponding ingredient
can be wet or dry, e.g., chili rub or ginger sesame
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
marinara sauce
thick tomato sauce made from sauteed onions, garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes
stewed for hours to let flavors develop
basil and oregano are often added
staple in Southern Italian cuisine
used in the recipe for “spaghetti and meatballs”
often referred to as “gravy” in Italian American households
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
mole
dark and spicy sauce made by cooking chilies, garlic, onions, tomatoes, tortillas, nuts, spices, and chocolate in broth
a classic Mexican (Puebla) sauce that is used for many dishes
similar to barbecue sauce or curry in that many variations exist depending on region and culture
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
mornay sauce
a bechamel sauce that has been thickened with egg yolks and shredded gruyere cheese
often used to coat or glaze dishes prior to broiling or baking them
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
mustard
condiment made from mustard seeds, vinegar, sugar, and spices
traditional versions call for the seeds to be soaked in either beer or wine prior to mixing
many recipes for mustard, each resulting in different textures and flavors – Dijon, whole grain, spicy brown, salad mustard, etc.
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
pastry cream
a custard-like sauce made from eggs, sugar, cornstarch, milk, and vanilla that is used as a filling or base for dessert dishes
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
plum sauce
dark sweet and sour condiment made from plums and/or other dried fruits blended with sugar, vinegar, ginger, and chilies
popularly paired in Chinese American cuisine with deep-fried foods
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
ponzu sauce
Japanese dipping sauce made from rice wine vinegar, bonito flakes, seaweed, and yuzu juice
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
puttanesca
potent pasta sauce made from simmered onions, garlic, anchovies, olive oil, diced tomatoes, peppers, olives, and capers
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
rémoulade
enhanced mayonnaise (aioli) created by the addition of mustard, cornichons, capers, herbs, hard-boiled eggs, and anchovies
popular condiment in French cuisine that pairs well with shellfish and cold meats
Describe the following sauce or condiment:
romesco
Spanish condiment made by mixing or blending red peppers, nuts (almonds), and garlic with olive oil
vinegar is often added to balance the flavors
pairs well with grilled or roasted fish
often served in a small dish and eaten throughout a meal