All-Purpose Gravy - Cooks Illustrated

Makes 2 cups. Published November 1, 2003.

Is it possible to make really good all-purpose gravy without a roast, using only canned broth and a few vegetables? Yes - Cook's Illustrated tested various recipes and came up with a perfect, easy gravy recipe. This gravy can be served with almost any type of meat or poultry or with mashed potatoes.

If you would like to double the recipe, use a Dutch oven to give the vegetables ample space for browning and increase the cooking times by roughly 50 percent. The finished gravy can be frozen. To thaw either a single or double recipe, place the gravy and 1 tablespoon of water in a saucepan over low heat and bring slowly to a simmer. The gravy may appear broken or curdled as it thaws, but a vigorous whisking will recombine it.

INGREDIENTS

1	small carrot , peeled and chopped into rough 1/2-inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
1	small rib celery , 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 unbleached 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

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 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. 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, 20 to 25 minutes.
3. 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.