ALL-PURPOSE GRAVY (COOKS ILLUSTRATED, NOV/DEC 2003)

ALL-PURPOSE GRAVY (COOKS ILLUSTRATED, NOV/DEC 2003) image

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 11

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1 small carrot, peeled and chopped into rough 1/2 inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
1 small celery rib, chopped into rough 1/2 inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
1 small onion, chopped into rough 1/2 inch pieces (about 3/4 cup)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
5 whole black peppercorns
Salt and ground black pepper

Steps:

1. In food processor, pulse carrot until broken into rough 1/4 inch pieces, about five 1 second pulses. Add celery and onion; pulse until all vegetables are broken into 1/8 inch pieces, about five 1 second pulses. 2. Heat butter in large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat; when foaming subsides, add vegetables and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and well browned, about 7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until thoroughly browned and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Whisking constantly, gradually add broths; bring to boil, skimming off any foam that forms on surface. Reduce heat to medium-low and add bay leaf, thyme, and peppercorns; simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced to 3 cups, about 20-25 minutes. 3. Strain gravy through fine-mesh strainer into clean saucepan, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Serve hot.