Dipping Sauces

How to Make Classic French Bordelaise Sauce Recipe at Home

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French Bordelaise sauce recipe is a rich, flavorful French sauce made with red wine, bone marrow, herbs, and shallots. It is considered one of the classic French mother sauces and is a hallmark of fine French cuisine.

Bordelaise sauce is beloved for its deep, complex flavors and velvety texture. The combination of red wine, marrow, and herbs gives Bordelaise sauce notes of fruit, umami savoriness, and freshness. Making Bordelaise sauce at home allows you to create restaurant-quality dishes with an elegant sauce full of nuanced flavors.

On this website, you will learn all about the history of Bordelaise sauce, its characteristic ingredients, and how to make the perfect Bordelaise sauce recipe at home. You’ll also find tips for customizing Bordelaise sauce, using it in a variety of dishes, and answers to frequently asked questions. Read on for a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of French Bordelaise sauce!

Understanding French Bordelaise Sauce

French Bordelaise Sauce Recipe

Key Flavor Notes

Bordelaise sauce stands out for its rich, balanced flavor profile. Here are some of the main taste notes in a classic Bordelaise sauce:

  • Fruity notes from red wine
  • Savory umami from reduced wine and bone marrow
  • Aromatic herbs like thyme, bay leaf, parsley
  • Sweet and savory shallots
  • Peppercorn spice

These ingredients come together to create a sauce with depth, nuance, and the perfect amount of richness.

Essential Ingredients

To make an authentic Bordelaise sauce, you need just a few key ingredients:

  • Dry red wine – Traditionally a Bordeaux wine
  • Bone marrow – Provides body and umami flavor
  • Shallots – The classic French onion
  • Herbs – Thyme, parsley, bay leaf
  • Butter – Whisked in to finish the sauce
  • Peppercorns – For a hint of spice

When these ingredients are slowly simmered and reduced, they meld into a luxuriously rich and flavoful sauce.

History in French Cuisine

Bordelaise sauce has been a staple of French haute cuisine since the 19th century. It is named after the Bordeaux region, which is renowned for its dry red wines.

The sauce became popularized during the rise of celebrity chefs like Marie-Antoine Carême in the 1800s. It was a hallmark of fine dining and still appears on French menus today.

Bordelaise sauce exemplifies the French ideals of transforming simple ingredients into elegant, richly flavored dishes through technique. When made well, it has the power to elevate any meal into a gourmet dining experience.

How to Make French Bordelaise Sauce Recipe

Recreating the classic French Bordelaise sauce at home is easy to do with the right ingredients and technique.

Ingredients

  • 2 shallots, finely diced
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 cups dry red wine (like Bordeaux)
  • 2 cups beef or veal stock
  • 3 oz bone marrow, sliced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 5 peppercorns
  • 1 sprig thyme
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Steps

  1. Sauté shallots: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
  2. Deglaze with wine: Pour in wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 10-15 minutes.
  3. Add stock and marrow: Pour in stock. Add bone marrow slices. Simmer until marrow is completely broken down and incorporated, about 20 minutes.
  4. Thicken: Whisk in tomato paste until incorporated. Add herbs and peppercorns. Simmer until sauce is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 10-15 minutes more.
  5. Strain: Pour through a fine mesh strainer to remove solids.
  6. Finish: Return to pan and whisk in remaining 2 tbsp cold butter until glossy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Serve: Spoon sauce over steak, lamb, or other meats. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Tips

  • Skim excess fat from sauce periodically for smoother consistency
  • Swirl pan instead of whisking at end to emulsify butter
  • Can be made 1-2 days ahead; reheat gently before serving

Variations and Customization

While the classic recipe remains beloved, Bordelaise sauce lends itself to all sorts of flavor variations.

Spice It Up

  • Pepper – Black, white, or cayenne
  • Chili flakes – For extra heat
  • Mustard – Stir in Dijon or whole grain mustard

Fresh Herbs

  • Tarragon – Licorice-like flavor
  • Chervil – Subtle anise flavor
  • Chives – Mild onion flavor
  • Marjoram – Minty and woodsy

Other Ingredients

  • Mushrooms – Sauté with shallots
  • Bacon – Rendered bacon fat instead of butter
  • Brandy or cognac – For added richness

Get creative with spices, herbs, and other ingredients to put your own personal spin on Bordelaise!

Serving Suggestions

French Bordelaise Sauce Recipe

Bordelaise sauce is traditionally served with:

  • Steak – Especially ribeye, filet mignon
  • Lamb chops – A classic French pairing
  • Roast beef – For French dip sandwiches

But you can also use it on:

  • Pork chops – The sweetness pairs well
  • Duck breast – Delicious with crispy skin
  • Potatoes – Fancy it up on roasted potatoes
  • Vegetables – Drizzle over roasted asparagus

Use Bordelaise sauce in place of gravy, serve it alongside a hearty roast, or mix it into a pan sauce. The possibilities are endless!

FAQs About Bordelaise Sauce

Can bordelaise sauce be made ahead of time?

Yes, bordelaise sauce can be made ahead of time. The sauce holds up well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It can also be frozen for a few months. When reheating, add a little beef or veal stock to thin it out if needed.

Is Demi-Glace the same as bordelaise sauce?

No, demi-glace and bordelaise sauce are not the same. Demi-glace is a reduced brown sauce made from veal or beef stock. Bordelaise is a red wine-based sauce made with bone marrow, butter, herbs, and beef reductions. Demi-glace is an ingredient often used in making bordelaise.

What is Bordelaise sauce similar to?

Bordelaise sauce is similar to other red wine-based meat sauces like marsala or Chasseur. It’s also somewhat similar to béarnaise sauce, using bone marrow instead of butter. The red wine flavor makes it akin to coq au vin.

What is the difference between Bordelaise and bourguignon?

The main difference is that bordelaise contains red wine while bourguignon contains white wine. Bordelaise also uses bone marrow, herbs like thyme and parsley, and sometimes mushrooms. Bourguignon is made with bacon, pearl onions, and mushrooms as the main ingredients surrounding the beef.

Conclusion: French Bordelaise Sauce Recipe

With its luxurious texture and complex flavor, Bordelaise sauce represents the pinnacle of French cuisine. By mastering this classic sauce, you can instantly elevate everyday meals into gourmet dining experiences. Use high-quality ingredients, pay attention to technique, and customize Bordelaise sauce to make it your own. A killer Bordelaise sauce is the ultimate secret weapon of home cooks.

This post was last modified on 06/20/2024 14:26

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