Making a Basic Roux
Making a basic Roux can be one of the simplest cooking techniques you can learn. However, it can be used in in so many ways. it's the starter for white breakfast gravy, made into cheesy sauces for mac-n-cheese and to go over veggies, it is also used as a thickening agent in soups, stews, and gumbos.
Step One..... Ingredients and Supplies
You will need...
a good seasoned cast iron skillet.. you can use another type of skillet as long as it's heavy bottomed and NOT nonstick.
wire whisk
all purpose flour
fat
you will use equal parts flour and fat. in this case my measurements are 1/2 cup of each.
as for the fat or oil selection. . use what you like as long as it is NOT margarine as it contains water and will ruin your Roux before you start. I am using a mix of bacon drippings and coconut oil
a good seasoned cast iron skillet.. you can use another type of skillet as long as it's heavy bottomed and NOT nonstick.
wire whisk
all purpose flour
fat
you will use equal parts flour and fat. in this case my measurements are 1/2 cup of each.
as for the fat or oil selection. . use what you like as long as it is NOT margarine as it contains water and will ruin your Roux before you start. I am using a mix of bacon drippings and coconut oil
Step Two
turn your stove top on medium and put fat and flour in the skillet. .
whisk thoroughly
whisk thoroughly
Step Three
As the skillet heats up.... keep whisking. .
do not try to turn up the heat and rush this process... it's well worth it! !
do not try to turn up the heat and rush this process... it's well worth it! !
Step Four
this is the hardest part. .. waiting. .... and watching. ... whisking. .. more waiting. ..
Slowly the fat cooks the flour so it will absorb more liquid when it's put to use.
Slowly the fat cooks the flour so it will absorb more liquid when it's put to use.
Step Five.... a Blonde Roux
You should notice a light golden blonde color.
this Roux is the strongest Roux for its thickening properties
You can make your Roux to different degrees of depth and darkness. The darker Roux has more of a depth of flavor profile but it has less thickening potential.
As you make your Roux think of how you want to use it.... here are some suggestions
Add milk and seasoning. ... gravy
put it in ice cube trays and freeze to use later... you can drop a couple into a soup or stew.... anything that needs thickening
add milk, stock, velveta and pour over pasta then bake.... homemade mac-n-cheese
The possibilities are endless! !!!
Happy Cooking! !
this Roux is the strongest Roux for its thickening properties
You can make your Roux to different degrees of depth and darkness. The darker Roux has more of a depth of flavor profile but it has less thickening potential.
As you make your Roux think of how you want to use it.... here are some suggestions
Add milk and seasoning. ... gravy
put it in ice cube trays and freeze to use later... you can drop a couple into a soup or stew.... anything that needs thickening
add milk, stock, velveta and pour over pasta then bake.... homemade mac-n-cheese
The possibilities are endless! !!!
Happy Cooking! !