This one ingredient makes your gravy the star of the meal
I absolutely love that it’s stamppot season again. Of course, you also have stamppot dishes that are delicious in summer, but it always tastes just that little bit better to me when it’s wet or bitterly cold outside. And yes, then I really do want stamppot the traditional way: with a well in the middle for pouring in the gravy. In my case, it’s often mostly gravy with stamppot rather than the other way around, but I do love gravy very much.
And that’s because I always add a secret ingredient to it, which I learned about from The Kitchn. And because I don’t believe in gatekeeping, I’m sharing this trick for perfect stamppot with you too.
This will take your gravy to the next level
The answer to all questions: BOOZE. Okay, that sounds a little exaggerated and intense, but in this case it really is the answer: alcohol in your gravy makes it the star of your dish. It can be beer, wine or even spirits—you just need to know what goes with what. And I can help you with that:
1. Make sure it complements your meat
If you’re going for a light meat, such as chicken, a heavy beer in the gravy won’t work. It’s better to choose something light, such as white wine. If you’re having a meatball or sausage, beer (or red wine) can work really well.
2. Choose stronger drinks for heavier poultry
Is turkey, pigeon or another type of poultry on the menu? Then a stronger drink is delicious with it, such as whiskey or cognac.
3. Don’t add everything at once
Don’t immediately pour a pint of red wine into your gravy; add it in stages. Keep stirring the gravy gently, and most importantly: keep tasting.
4. Add the spices only after adding the alcohol
The flavor of the gravy changes enormously when you add booze, so it’s important to add pepper, salt or other spices only afterward. When your gravy tastes flat, adding alcohol can already work wonders. Adding salt and pepper beforehand can throw the whole thing completely out of balance.
Believe me: this trick is worth trying, because it will make your stamppot truly heavenly.
Also read:
- Recipe: how to make stamppot sushi
- AVG lovers, take note: at restaurant Den Boerenstamppot, you can enjoy traditional Dutch food for next to nothing
- Top chefs really hate these supermarket products
Source: The Kitchn
