Bread sauce

Bread Sauce

A traditional serving of bread sauce.

Bread sauce is a traditional British sauce made with milk, bread, and onion. It is typically served as an accompaniment to poultry, particularly roast chicken or turkey, during festive occasions such as Christmas dinner.

Ingredients and Preparation

The primary ingredients of bread sauce include:

• Milk
• Bread (preferably stale or day-old)
• Onion
• Butter
• Cloves
• Bay leaf
• Salt and pepper

To prepare bread sauce, the milk is first infused with flavors by simmering it with a peeled onion studded with cloves and a bay leaf. Once the milk is infused, the onion and bay leaf are removed, and the milk is poured over breadcrumbs. The mixture is then allowed to thicken, and butter is added for richness. The sauce is seasoned with salt and pepper to taste.

Culinary Uses

Bread sauce is traditionally served warm alongside roasted poultry. Its creamy texture and mild flavor complement the savory and often rich flavors of roasted meats. It is a staple in British Christmas dinners, often accompanying roast turkey or chicken.

Variations

While the classic recipe for bread sauce is quite simple, variations exist that incorporate additional ingredients such as:

• Cream for a richer texture
• Nutmeg or mace for added spice
• Garlic for a more robust flavor

Some modern recipes may also include herbs like thyme or parsley to enhance the flavor profile.

Related Pages

• British cuisine
• Sauce
• Christmas dinner
• Roast turkey