Truffle Veloute

Velouté is one of the five “mother sauces” in classic French cuisine, as defined by the renowned chef Auguste Escoffier. The term “velouté” comes from the French word for “velvety,” which aptly describes the sauce’s smooth and creamy texture.

A velouté sauce is made by thickening a light stock, typically chicken, veal, or fish stock, with a roux (a mixture of flour and butter cooked together). The result is a rich, yet delicate sauce that serves as a base for many other sauces and dishes in French cuisine.

The basic steps to make a velouté sauce are as follows

Prepare the Roux: Cook equal parts of flour and butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes pale and frothy.

Add the Stock: Gradually whisk in the hot stock into the roux, ensuring there are no lumps.

Simmer: Continue to cook the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and has a smooth, velvety texture.

Season: Season the sauce with salt and white pepper to taste.

Velouté is often used as a base for other sauces, such as suprême sauce (velouté with cream), allemande sauce (velouté with egg yolks and lemon juice), and various herb and wine-enriched sauces. It’s also used as a component in dishes like pot pies, creamy soups, and casseroles.

Here’s how you make it!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken or fish stock (depending on your main dish)
Salt and white pepper to taste
1/4 cup heavy cream (for a richer sauce)
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs (such as tarragon, chervil, or parsley)
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
A few drops of truffle oil

Instructions

Make the Roux:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes, until the mixture (roux) is smooth and has a pale golden color.
Add the Stock:
- Gradually whisk in the stock, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, and continue to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
Season and Refine:
- Season the sauce with salt and white pepper to taste.
- If you’re using heavy cream, stir it in now for a richer, more velvety texture.
- Add the finely chopped herbs and lemon zest for a fresh and aromatic touch.
- For an extra touch of luxury, add a few drops of truffle oil and stir gently to combine. This will give the sauce an exquisite, earthy flavor.
Strain and Serve:
- For an ultra-smooth texture, you can strain the sauce through a fine sieve.
- Serve the velouté hot, drizzled over your choice of poached or steamed fish, chicken, or vegetables.

Variants of Velouté

Here are some common uses of velouté:

Base for Other Sauces:

Suprême Sauce: Velouté enriched with cream, often served with chicken or poultry dishes.

Allemande Sauce: Velouté thickened with egg yolks and lemon juice, used in various meat and vegetable dishes.

Normandy Sauce: Velouté with fish stock, cream, and egg yolks, often served with seafood.

Mushroom Sauce: Velouté with sautéed mushrooms, often used in chicken or veal dishes.

Sauce for Protein Dishes:

Poultry: Velouté is commonly served with poached or roasted chicken, turkey, or other poultry.

Fish: A fish stock-based velouté is often used as a sauce for poached or baked fish.

Veal: Light veal dishes are frequently accompanied by a velouté sauce.

Soups and Stews:

Velouté can be used as a base for creamy soups and stews, adding richness and depth to the flavor.

Casseroles and Pot Pies:

It is often used as a binding and flavoring agent in casseroles and pot pies, providing a creamy texture and savory taste.

Vegetable Dishes:

Velouté can be poured over steamed or roasted vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, or cauliflower, to enhance their flavor.

Gratins:

A layer of velouté can be added to gratins before baking to add creaminess and moisture.

The smooth, rich, and slightly neutral flavor of velouté makes it an excellent canvas for adding herbs, spices, and other flavorings, allowing chefs to create a wide array of dishes and sauces to suit different tastes and culinary styles.