Enliven Simple Fare With Easy Sauces


"Green beans again!" "What am I going to do with plain potatoes?" "I wish I could afford something more interesting for dinner."

Thrifty country cooks are familiar with the previous statements. In fact, I'd be surprised if there was a family anywhere that didn't hear these complaints as well. But there's a simple solution to enliven regular fare - sauces. And I'm not talking about some fancy French sauce that you have to slave over. All of these are easy and family-tested. The kids like them and you can still cook these and see to a crying toddler.

*Cover-Anything Cheese Sauce* Kids will even eat their veggies when it's covered with a bit of this sauce.

2 T butter 2 T flour dash of salt and pepper (I like red pepper) 1 c. milk 1 T. mustard 1/2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded

In a heavy skillet, lightly brown the flour in the melted butter. Add the salt and pepper. Remove from heat and add the milk. Return to heat and stir constantly for one minute. Add the mustard and cheese. Stir until completely melted.

*Three Ingredient Hollandaise Sauce* No need to buy those little packets of tasteless powdered stuff

3 egg yolks 1 T. lemon juice 1/2 c. butter

Beat together the yolks and lemon juice in a heavy saucepan. Add half of the butter. Place over *very* low heat and beat constantly until the butter is completely melted. Add the other half of the butter and keep stirring until all of the butter is melted and the sauce is thickened.

*Brown Mushroom Sauce* Works equally well over potatoes, beef, and even vegetables

2 T. butter 1/4 t. onion salt 2 T. flour 1 c. beef broth 1/4 t. pepper 1 c. sliced mushrooms (or 4 ounces canned)

In a heavy skillet, brown the flour in the melted butter. Stir in broth and stir constantly until thickened. (Watch out for lumps!) Add the onion salt, pepper, and mushrooms.

*Tartar Sauce* I can't believe how expensive little jars of this is in the stores. The favorite is to serve with fish, but it is also good as a sandwich spread.

1 c. salad dressing 2 T. sweet pickle relish 1 T. chopped parsley 1 t. grated onion

Mix together and chill.

*Pesto* Serve this over most any starch, such as pasta or rice

2 c. fresh basil leaves 3/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese 3/4 c. olive oil 4 cloves garlic

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

The copyright of the article Enliven Simple Fare With Easy Sauces in Country Cooking is owned by Shawn Price. Permission to republish Enliven Simple Fare With Easy Sauces in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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