Best Red Sauce Recipes

PAN-SEARED STEAK WITH RED WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Generously sprinkle salt and pepper all over steaks, then let steaks rest uncovered for 15 minutes at room temperature. Meanwhile, mince the shallots.
• Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter and the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add steaks and cook until done to taste, about 3 to 4 minutes per side for rare and a little longer for medium-rare or medium. (Bone-in steaks take a few minutes longer to cook through than boneless.) If the pan begins to smoke or burn, lower the heat. Transfer steaks to a plate to rest while you prepare the sauce.
• Add shallots to the skillet and cook over medium heat until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Add brandy to the skillet and use a long-handled match or igniter to set the brandy on fire. (Stand back when you do this.) Let flames die out, then add red wine and cook until reduced and syrupy, 2 to 4 minutes. Add stock and boil until reduced and thickened, 3 to 4 minutes longer.
• Remove pan from heat and whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the chives. Serve steaks and sauce immediately with watercress.

CHICKEN AND RED WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook garlic in oil until tender. Place chicken in the skillet, and cook about 10 minutes on each side, until no longer pink and juices run clear.
• Drain oil from skillet. Sprinkle chicken with paprika and 1 cup brown sugar. Pour red wine around chicken. Cover, and simmer about 15 to 20 minutes; lightly baste chicken with wine sauce while cooking. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

RED CLAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Transfer to a 1-1/2- or 2-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the clams, tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, bay leaf, sugar, basil and thyme., Cover and cook on low until heated through, 3-4 hours. Discard bay leaf. If desired, sprinkle with additional parsley. Serve with linguine. Freeze option: Omit additional parsley. Cool before placing in a freezer container. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months. To use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Place in a large saucepan; heat through, stirring occasionally. Serve with linguine and, if desired, minced parsley.

NEW MEXICO RED CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• Coat the bottom of a heavy saucepan with oil; add chile pods. Toast over medium heat until aromatic, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in onion and garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add enough chicken stock to allow pods to float; simmer until they develop the texture of wet leather, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Fill blender halfway with chile-stock mixture. Cover and hold lid down with a potholder; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Pour into a bowl; repeat with remaining mixture. Strain sauce through a fine mesh strainer into a saucepan over medium heat. Discard solids.
• Stir cumin, coriander, and oregano into the saucepan; add honey. Cook until sauce is thick and evenly coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes.

BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH QUICK RED WINE PAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove the tenderloin from the refrigerator 1 hour prior to cooking.
• On the tail end of the tenderloin, about a third of the way from where it begins to taper, make an incision almost all the way through the beef. Fold the tail onto the larger portion to make an even cylinder throughout. Use ten to twelve 8-inch pieces of butcher's twine to tie the tenderloin crosswise every 3/4 to 1 inch. This will help it to keep its shape and cook evenly.
• Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F.
• Pat the tenderloin dry. Brush with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season heavily with salt and pepper all around. Put the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the beef and sear on all sides until a nice crust is formed, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Add the thyme, garlic and 3 tablespoons of the butter to the pan. Once the butter is melted, use a spoon to baste the beef with the herb and garlic infused butter for 30 seconds.
• Transfer the beef to a rack on a baking sheet, spoon over 2 tablespoons of the herb and garlic butter mixture from the cast-iron pan (reserve the pan) and roast until the internal temperature of the thickest part reaches 120 degrees F (for medium rare), 1 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the tenderloin. Cover the beef with foil and rest for 15 minutes.
• Add the shallots to the remaining herb and garlic butter mixture in the cast-iron pan and sweat over medium heat until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Deglaze with the red wine and reduce until almost dry, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the beef stock, bring to a simmer and reduce by half, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, thoroughly mix the remaining 2 tablespoons butter with the flour in a small bowl.
• Reduce the heat to low and slowly whisk in the butter and flour mixture bit by bit, until the sauce reaches the desired consistency. Serve with the perfectly roasted beef.

FILET MIGNON WITH MUSHROOM RED WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Generously season each side of the steaks with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature about 20 minutes before cooking.
• In a cast-iron (or other heavy-duty) skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat. Add half of the shallots and saute until tender for a couple of minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and cook until the water has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the cooked mushrooms to a dish and set aside. Wipe the skillet clean.
• Heat another tablespoon of butter over high heat in the skillet. It will bubble and foam, and after it stops, add the steaks. Sear on each side for about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
• Reduce the heat to medium high. Add the remaining shallots and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn the flame off and add the wine. Turn the flame back on to high, bring to boil and let reduce by half. Whisk in the remaining tablespoon of butter. Stir in the reserved mushrooms.
• Spoon the sauce over the steaks and serve.

CHICKEN WITH RED PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Put the chicken in a resealable bag. Add the olive oil, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning to the bag and smush everything together. Seal and refrigerate.
• For the red pepper sauce: Melt the butter and add the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes or until starting to soften. Add the red peppers and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until hot.
• Add the broth (if you like a thicker sauce only add 1 cup broth, for a thinner sauce add 2 cups broth), salt and pepper and stir until heated. Splash in the cream.
• Remove the skillet from the heat. Carefully transfer the contents of the skillet to a food processor or blender. Place on the lid and puree the pepper mixture until totally blended (there will still be some texture to the peppers). You can serve the sauce right away or cool it and bag it up.
• When ready to cook, heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and grill the chicken until cooked through, about 4 minutes a side.
• Heat up the red pepper sauce in a pan. Serve everyone a piece of chicken, spoon some sauce over each piece, and garnish with Parmesan shavings and a sprinkling of parsley. Serve with roasted vegetables alongside.

MUSSELS IN SPICY RED SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper, and saute until fragrant, stirring, about 30 seconds. Add the white wine and tomato sauce, increase the heat to high, cover and bring to a boil.
• Add the mussels and replace the lid. Cook over high heat 3 minutes. Remove the lid and stir once gently. Continue to cook until the mussels are completely open and firmly cooked, about 4 minutes more.
• Remove the pot from the heat and transfer the mussels gently from the pot to a large bowl with a Chinese wire mesh skimmer. Return the pot to the heat and increase the heat to high. Boil for a minute or 2, until the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon. Pour the sauce over the mussels and serve immediately.
• Place the canned tomatoes in a large bowl and place your (clean) hands in the bowl and crush the tomatoes so they breakup into a range of small pieces.
• In a 5-quart Dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium heat until it is fragrant, but before it smokes, about 40 seconds. Add the bay leaves and stir them in the oil until they begin to brown, about 10 seconds. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until it starts to turn golden brown, then add the onions, carrots, and oregano. Cook the vegetables until they are very brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally, just enough to prevent them from scorching.
• Add the crushed tomatoes with their juice, the tomato paste, salt and pepper, and 1 1/2 cups of water, (white wine or clam juice can be added depending on the intended use) and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, and simmer, partially covered until the sauce level has reduced by 2 or 3 inches and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Cook the sauce for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick.
• Remove from heat, cool down in the pot, then when at room temperature, transfer to a sealed plastic container and refrigerate until ready to use.
• This sauce will keep 10 days in a well-sealed container in the refrigerator.
• Using my recipe for basic Red Sauce, you can make a quick and spicy "fra diavolo" sauce that is delicious drizzled over grilled squid and other seafood. For equipment you will need a 3-quart saucepan and a wooden spoon.
• Heat the olive oil in a 3-quart saucepan slightly over medium heat and saute the garlic and crushed red pepper until the garlic is fragrant and beginning to brown, about 40 seconds.
• Add the Red Sauce, clam juice, and salt, to taste, and simmer, stirring occasionally over medium-low heat, until the sauce returns to the thickness and quantity of the Red Sauce, about 15 minutes.

STEAK WITH RED WINE-SHALLOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove the steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the steak dry and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Place the steak, standing up on the strip of fat, in the pan and hold it with tongs until the fat renders and the pan is slick, about 2 minutes.
• Place the steak flat in the pan and sear until deep brown on one side, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook on the other side until a thermometer inserted sideways into the thickest part registers 120 degrees for medium-rare, 3 to 4 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Reserve the drippings in the skillet.
• Add the shallot to the drippings and cook over medium heat until golden, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half and slightly syrupy, about 7 minutes; remove from the heat. Whisk in the butter, one piece at a time, to make a glossy sauce. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper or season to taste. Slice the steak against the grain and serve with the sauce.

NEW YORK STREET CART DOGS WITH ONION SAUCE AND GRILLED RED PEPPER RELISH

Steps:

• For the onion sauce: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chile powder and cinnamon and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 cup water, the ketchup, hot sauce, salt and black pepper and bring to a simmer. Cook until thickened and the onions are very soft, adding more water if needed, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool to room temperature before serving.
• For the grilled pepper relish: Combine the garlic, peppers, oil, vinegar and parsley in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.
• For the hot dogs: Heat a grill to high for direct grilling. Brush the dogs with oil and sprinkle with pepper. Grill until slightly charred and golden brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Put the hot dogs in the buns and top with mustard, onion sauce and grilled pepper relish.

LINGUINE WITH RED CLAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs; drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, anchovies, red pepper flakes, oregano and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is lightly golden, about 1 minute. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the whole clams; cover and cook until they just begin to open, about 3 minutes. Add the chopped clams and parsley; continue cooking, covered, until the whole clams are fully opened, about 3 more minutes (discard any that do not open). Add the pasta and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil; toss to combine. Season with salt.

LINGUINE AND CLAMS WITH FRESH RED SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta according to package directions until 3 minutes shy of al dente. (It will finish cooking in the sauce; pasta should be toothsome but not crunchy.) Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
• Meanwhile, once pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften and start to pop, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add reserved clam juice (you should have about 1 cup) and stir to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet. Add sauce, pasta, 1/2 cup of the pasta water and the butter back to the large pot, and cook, stirring vigorously, until sauce is thickened and pasta is al dente, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup more pasta water if a thinner sauce is desired.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the clams, cheese and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide pasta among bowls and garnish with cheese, parsley, black pepper and red-pepper flakes, if using.

RED ENCHILADA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the onion, oregano, chili powder, basil, ground black pepper, salt, cumin, parsley, salsa and tomato sauce.
• Mix together and then stir in the water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

RED WINE REDUCTION SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook shallot in hot oil until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
• Pour wine into saucepan; cook, stirring regularly, until reduced in volume by half, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir beef broth with the wine. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook at a simmer until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir butter and Italian seasoning into the sauce; cook until butter is completely melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt.

HOMEMADE RED HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the peppers, garlic, onions, salt and oil in a non-reactive saucepan over high heat. Saute for 3 minutes. Add the water and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, or until peppers are very soft and almost all of the liquid has evaporated. (Note: this should be done in a very well-ventilated area!) Remove from the heat and allow to steep until mixture comes to room temperature. In a food processor, puree the mixture for 15 seconds, or until smooth. With the food processor running, add the vinegar through the feed tube in a steady stream.
• Taste and season with more salt, if necessary. (This will depend on the heat level of the peppers you use as well as the brand of vinegar used.) Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and then transfer to a sterilized pint jar or bottle and secure with an airtight lid. Refrigerate. Let age at least 2 weeks before using. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

GRILLED MAHI MAHI TACOS WITH RED CABBAGE SLAW, TOMATO AND AVOCADO SALSA AND PINEAPPLE HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat grill.
• Brush fillets with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Remove from grill and drizzle with some of the Citrus Vinaigrette. Let rest 5 minutes and then flake with a fork.
• Fill each fried tortilla with some of the mahi, top with the Red Cabbage Slaw, Tomato and Avocado Salsa, and drizzle with Charred Pineapple-habanero Hot Sauce.
• Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 minute.
• Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Gently combine all ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Heat a grill to high or preheat the broiler. Place the whole pineapple (do not peel it) on the grill and grill until the entire surface is completely black and charred. Remove from grill and let cool slightly. Peel the pineapple, remove the core and coarsely chop the flesh.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; add the onion and cook until soft. Add the pineapple, pineapple puree, habanero and vinegar and cook until the mixture is completely soft, about 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Season with salt, pepper and honey, to taste. Strain the mixture into a bowl.

CHEF JOHN'S SPAGHETTI WITH RED CLAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Pour olive oil into cold skillet. Add garlic, capers, anchovy paste, and red pepper flakes. Place over medium heat and cook and stir until the oil is infused with the flavors of the mixture, about 5 minutes, taking care not to brown the garlic. Add tomato sauce and rinse jar with 1/4 cup water; add water to skillet. Pour in wine and juice from clams, reserving the clams. Bring to a simmer until slightly reduced and thickened, 7 to 9 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost al dente, or about 1 minute less than directed on package. Drain. Return pasta to the pot off heat.
• Stir clams into the sauce. Pour sauce over pasta. Stir; cover the pot to allow it to finish cooking off heat and to allow the pasta will absorb some of the sauce, about 3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Top with chopped fresh basil and/or parsley.

THAI RED CURRY CRAB CAKES WITH A CHILI DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Blend or Process crab, prawns, paste, lemon grass, coriander, onions and egg until just combined. Shape into small patties using about a tablespoon of mix for each (will make about 25-30.) OR shape into larger patties (will make about 10-12).
• Heat oil in a large frying pan, cook crab in batches until browned on both sides and cooked through.
• Serve crab cakes with dipping sauce.
• For the dipping sauce.
• Mix lime and sugar together, place in the microwave 30-45 seconds, to dissolve sugar, stir in fish sauce and sweet chili, Place in serving bowl and serve with crab cakes.

MUSHROOM AND RED WINE STEAK SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in large skillet over medium heat until melted. Add the red pepper and shallots and gently cook until the shallots soften, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, then take off the cover and cook until the mushrooms are golden brown, another 10 minutes. Add the thyme and garlic and cook until fragrant, then deglaze with the wine and cook until the alcohol scent dissipates, another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cook until melted; season again. Serve over steak, pork chops or chicken.

LAMB CHOPS WITH RED WINE AND ROSEMARY SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season lamb chops with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
• Add the oil to the skillet. Add chops to the pan cook 4 minutes.
• Turn chops over and cook 3 minutes longer.
• Remove chops from the skillet and set aside in a warm place.
• Pour off all but 2 tsp of fat from skillet. Add the garlic and shallot. Cook until they become transparent and tender.
• Add the wine, rosemary, and parsley, stirring up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Simmer over high heat until syrupy. That will take about 3 minutes.
• Add the chicken broth and continue to simmer until sauce is reduced by about half.
• Combine butter and flour in a cup (beurre manie).
• Stir mustard and cream into sauce. Adjust seasonings. Bring to a boil.
• Add beurre manie to sauce and stir well until incorporated into sauce and sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
• Remove sauce from heat.
• Plate chops, 2 per plate, and add sauce over top. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
• Serve Immediately.