SEVEN MOTHER SAUCES

 

THE SEVEN MOTHER SAUCES

Sauces are liquids, creams, or semi-solid foods that add flavor and moisture to food. They also used to make food look more appealing. Sauces come in a variety of colors and are either cold or hot. There are over 50 different kinds of sauces used in cooking. However, the culinary arts refers to certain sauces as “mother sauces.” These mother sauces can be served as they are, or they can be used as a starting point for secondary sauces.

French cuisine often uses mother sauces. Any cook who wants to enhance their cooking skills and improve the flavor of their food should master these 7 mother sauces.

1. Béchamel

Also known as white sauce, béchamel consists of milk thickened with equal parts of flour and butter. This butter and flour combination is known as a roux. French historians believe that Marquis Louis de Béchamel, the chief Steward of King Louis XIV’s household, invented béchamel. He supposedly came up with this white sauce when trying to improve the taste of dried cod. Besides fish, béchamel sauce is used in macaroni cheese, vegetable bakes, and chicken pot pie.

2. Mayonnaise Sauce

Mayonnaise consists of oil, egg yolk, and vinegar or lemon juice. A French chef invented this cold emulsified sauce in 1756. Mayonnaise is thick and creamy and used in a variety of dishes including pasta salads, deviled eggs, and coleslaw. Many people put this creamy white sauce on their sandwiches and others use it as a dipping sauce.

3. Velouté

Known as a dairy-free version of béchamel, velouté is a French word meaning velvet. Velouté is a light stock that comes from the unroasted bones of chicken, fish, or veal. The thin sauce gets thickened with a roux. Commonly served on poultry or seafood dishes, velouté is also a favorite sauce for Swedish meatballs.

4. Espagnole

Also known as brown sauce, Espagnole is made from a brown stock. Brown roux, mirepoix, and tomato puree are often added to this rich, full-bodied sauce. Because of its strong taste, Espagnole is rarely used directly on food. Instead, this mother sauce is used to make a variety of other sauces including lyonnaise sauce, mushroom sauce, and bercy sauce.

5. Demi-Glace

While demi-glace sauce is derived from Espagnole, it is still considered a mother sauce. The sauce is a combination of Espagnole and either beef or chicken stock. This sauce goes especially well with roasted meats and can be added to soups, stews, and stir-fry to boost the flavor.

6. Tomato

When made as a mother sauce, tomato sauce is nothing like you would expect. While there are tomatoes in it, the primary ingredients are salt pork and roux. Other ingredients include carrots, celery, garlic, and veal or chicken stock. The key to making this sauce is to simmer it until it thickens. Tomato sauce tastes delicious on pasta and breaded chicken.

7. Hollandaise

Made with egg yolks and clarified butter, hollandaise sauce is often used as a topping. Hollandaise is a French word that means, “Dutch style,” which reflects the importance of butter in Dutch cooking. Most popular on eggs benedict, hollandaise is also used on salmon, chicken breasts, broccoli, and asparagus.

 

Sandwich

INTRODUCTION

Sandwiches are one of the most varied types of food prepared worldwide. They are usually one or two slice of bread, spread with a filling of meat, chicken, fish, cheese or vegetables etc. Bread may be toasted or fresh, a numerous variety of shapes with an almost endless assortment of filling. The service of sandwiches varies with the purpose for which it is used.

Wafers, chiffonade (shredded) lettuce, watercress, juliennes of cabbage or carrots are the accompaniments of sandwiches. White bread, brown breads, French loaf and bread rolls or boat shaped breads are used to prepare sandwiches.

Types of Sandwich

A. SIMPLE SANDWICH

B. OPEN SANDWICH

EXAMPLES OF SANDWICHES:

1. Sandwich Cake: – These look like ice layered cakes and for these, round bread loaves are used. They are sliced in two or three round slices, soft icing containing butter, cheese etc. It is cut into wedges like cakes.
2. Loaf: – To make a loaf sandwich, the loaf bread is sliced lengthwise, filled and iced in layers. It is sliced across the bread and served.
3. Pinwheel: – To make a pinwheel sandwich, the bread is sliced lengthwise. Butter and soft filling spread evenly, which is of a color to contrast with the bread.
4. Ribbon: They are prepared by using two colour breads. Two slices of brown bread and one of white or vice versa. The sandwiches are made with three slices and two different colored filling are used. They are cut into thin strips and served.
5. Double Decker: As the name denotes, there are three slices used and one first slice, the filling placed on top, and then on next slice, butter is placed on top. On the third slice, lettuce, tomato and cucumber are placed on top and served.
6. Bookmaker: this is buttered roll or French bread is spread with French mustard and a grilled steak in between.
7. Broadway: Two layers of toast with smoked salmon, shredded lettuce, sliced hardboiled egg are used to make this sandwich. It is served with mayonnaise.
8. Tea Sandwich: Thin slices of bread are used with any fillings cut into triangles and crust removed.
9. Grilled Sandwich: To prepare this sandwich, two slices of bread are used with fillings, grilled on salamander or griller and then served. They are served hot.
10. Canapés: These are savory tidbits of food. They could be served hot or cold.
11. Zakuski: They are like canapés and are made with classical fillings for e.g toast covered with smoked fish and aspic jelly.

 

PARTS OF SANDWICH:

1. BASE: the base is used in sandwiches are bread, loafs etc.
2. Spreads: Spreads are the greasy and flavored butter or and emulsifying agents are used such as mayonnaise or hollandaise sauce.
3. Fillings: fillings like vegetables, meat chunks or fruits may be used to give a distinct flavor to the sandwiches.
4. Dressings: There are many types of dressing which may be used in the preparation of sandwiches but the basics are mayonnaise, tomato sauce, hollandaise or vinaigrette dressing. The dressing is mixed with the fillings and also may be served as an accompaniment with the dishes

bakery breads

1. White Bread

Let's start with the most common bread: White bread known for its soft texture. This popular sandwich bread is sometimes called a sandwich loaf. The best part is that this bread only uses basic ingredients which are wheat flour, yeast, and water.

The most common shape of white bread is square because it is often used for sandwiches or toasting but you might find some various shaped buns or bread rolls. These are staples for foods such as hotdogs, and hamburgers, or can be filled with various sandwich fillings (eg. cold cuts, tomato sauce, or fresh tomatoes).

Take note: White bread is a popular type of bread that isn't always as healthy as you think. It isn't as healthy as whole-wheat or whole-grain bread because white flour used to make white bread has fewer nutrients than whole-wheat flour.

2. Baguette Bread

Another common bread that you will find in most bakeries is the Baguette bread. Also known as the French bread which is a long type of white yeast bread and is known to have a crispy crust with a soft fluffy center.

The baguette is one of the best bread for sandwiches and is frequently used in submarine sandwiches. You can also enjoy this by spreading butter and jam on the soft white bread like they do in France.

3. Brioche Bread

If you love butter, you'll live for the brioche bread with how rich and fluffy each bite is. This is also a type of French bread that is usually made with butter and eggs. Brioche bread has a light texture and its flavor has a subtle sweetness

Brioche bread is an excellent choice for producing delightful delicacies such as French toast. There's no better time than now to this subtly sweet brioche if you've never had it before.

4. Multigrain Bread

If you are someone who's conscious of your calorie intake, then you may opt for this healthier choice. Multigrain bread usually uses grains such as oats, barley, flax, and millet, as well as others.

The use of these different ingredients makes multigrain bread an extremely healthy, nutritious, and tasty bread option.

5. Sourdough Bread

Every baker hopes to bake the holy grail: the Sourdough Bread. One of the favorites, sourdough is a wheat bread that uses a fermentation “starter” and wild yeast to cause the bread dough to rise.

Wild yeast and lactobacilli bacteria are used to make the starter along with fermented flour and water. The sourdough bread's "sourness" comes from the effect of lactic acid that forms during the fermenting process. Its chewy texture makes sourdough bread a great type of sandwich bread to enjoy at any time of the day.

6. Focaccia Bread

Another bread that will make you crave more is the focaccia bread. This bread is so buttery that one would have to hold themselves from eating the whole thing. The secret to making the perfect Focaccia bread? The secret is the cold, refrigerated dough

The only challenge would be timing as the dough will need to rise, which can take up to a day. You can start experimenting with different focaccia flavors like cheese or rosemary once you have the hang of it!

7. Ciabatta Bread

Did you know? Ciabatta means slipper in Italian and this is a very popular Italian bread that you can easily find in the states. It has a gorgeous crumb, which is the pattern of the holes inside.

You know you’ve made this recipe right when the crumb is more open and less dense. This is because ciabatta is a high hydration bread, which means there’s a higher ratio of flour to water. Ciabatta loaf is also great for sandwiches, crostinis, and more.

8. Pizza Bianca

This addition to our list is a cross between pizza and bread, as the name implies. When the dough is rolled out thick, it resembles bread rather than pizza when it comes out of the oven.

Pizza Bianca is usually topped with some mozzarella, and a few olives and served hot with a little olive oil. Make sure to definitely try this bread if you get the chance!

9. Pane Toscano

Pane Toscano can be directly translated as “Tuscan bread" and is a regional specialty of Tuscany. Traditionally, Pane Toscano can be made using yeast, water, and flour which is mixed together, kneaded, shaped, and baked without salt.

This is a large round, springy bread that is similar to a white loaf, but much flatter. This is also cooked in a wood-fired oven giving it a unique flavor, and it’s great for mopping up a Tuscan soup or stew!

10. Buccellato

The Buccellato is typically known as the sweet bread of Lucca and its name dates back to the ancient Roman times when "buccellatum" is referred to as the soldiers’ bread. Later on, this will evolve into the medieval meaning of sweet bread.

This sweet bread has variations from both Tuscany and Sicily. This bread stands out for its use of raisins and aniseed for a hint of sweetness and this bread goes well with morning coffee or as a light snack to have.

 

11. Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin bread gives back nostalgic memories as one of the bread that your grandparents make fresh during the holidays. Pumpkin bread is essentially a type of moist quick bread made with pumpkin.

The pumpkin can be cooked and softened before being used or simply baked with the bread. The usage of canned pumpkins also makes the dish easier to prepare and additionally, you can add nuts and raisins.

12. Cranberry Orange Fruitcake Sweet Bread

Don't we all joke about fruitcake leftovers during the holidays? Everyone knows about but It’s actually not too bad. This cranberry orange bread is definitely a glow-up or an upgrade to your typical fruitcakes.

13. Cherry Chocolate Holiday Sweet Bread

If you are a chocolate aficionado and are in love with cherry Garcia ice cream then this cherry chocolate holiday sweet bread may be the one for you! Complete with a maraschino cherry glaze, this recipe is perfect for the holiday seasons.

It does call for a special type of chocolate chip: the Cherry Nestle Toll House DelightFulls, and it may be difficult to find in the off-season, but you can stock up during the holidays.

14. Avocado Chocolate Sweet Bread

Another healthy option for everyone is the avocado chocolate sweet bread will only take a few mins to make!

Avocado has many health benefits and although this recipe does have nuts in it, it is gluten and dairy-free, making it a great treat to bring to a party when there may be people with allergies around! Just make sure you use Haas brand avocados, as other brands could make this recipe taste bitter.

15. Lemon Blueberry Sweet Bread

Blueberries are one of the most delicious fruits, but have you ever tried making lemon blueberry bread instead?. Coated in a delicious glaze, these sweet bread may likely to be skipped for those looking for a slightly healthier variation.

 

16. Rye Bread

This long bread used to be considered to be the bread of the lower class. The sudden rise in popularity is likely due to its rich flavor. Rye bread is generally made with both rye flour and regular bread flour.

Rye bread has a tight crumb and a very strong flavor. Some bakers even add caraway seeds, sesame seeds, or dill seeds so that the rye bread flavor is a little more earthy.

17. English Muffins

Another way to start your day is by having English muffins. These are known to be small, round, flat types of bread that can be made from either white or whole wheat flour.

You can partner English muffins with poached eggs, bacon, or a Hollandaise sauce, and English muffins are known to be healthier compared to other options such as muffins or bread.

18. Injera Bread

Injera bread is another spinoff of the original sourdough bread with a spongy texture and a slightly sour taste. Injera bread is usually made from a tiny grain called teff, which comes from Ethiopia and is used to scoop up the meats and stews normally placed on top of it. These side dishes are essential and typical parts of the Ethiopian diet.

19. Matzo Bread

Used in many traditional Jewish dishes and on certain Jewish holidays, Matzo bread is known to be an unleavened bread shaped similarly to large crackers.

This bread is made of the five grains mentioned in the Hebrew Bible which are wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt. Matzo bread can come in either soft or hard forms and is delicious. At the same time, this bread is also instrumental in Jewish traditions and the Jewish faith.