Description: Irish bread sauce is a traditional Irish condiment, often served alongside roast poultry, especially during festive occasions like Christmas or St. Patrick’s Day. This creamy sauce, infused with aromatic spices, provides a comforting and flavorful complement to roast chicken or turkey.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serving Size: Approximately 6 servings
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of whole milk
- 1 small onion, peeled and halved
- 6 cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon of black peppercorns
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- Salt, to taste
- 2 cups of stale bread crumbs (from white or sourdough bread)
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
Instructions:
Infuse the Milk:
In a saucepan, combine the whole milk, halved onion, cloves, bay leaves, black peppercorns, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it just begins to simmer, then remove from heat and let it steep for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
Prepare the Bread Crumbs:
Meanwhile, tear the stale bread into small pieces or use a food processor to pulse it into coarse breadcrumbs.
Strain the Infused Milk:
After steeping, strain the infused milk mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined colander into a clean saucepan, discarding the solids.
Make the Sauce:
Return the strained milk to the saucepan and place it over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the breadcrumbs, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook the sauce for 5-7 minutes, or until thickened to your desired consistency, stirring frequently.
Add Butter and Season:
Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the unsalted butter until melted and well incorporated. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed.
Serve:
Transfer the Irish bread sauce to a serving bowl. It can be served warm alongside roast chicken or turkey as a delicious accompaniment that adds richness and flavor to your meal.
Enjoy:
Enjoy the creamy texture and delightful flavor of the Irish bread sauce, savoring its comforting warmth and aromatic spices. It’s a classic Irish dish that brings a taste of tradition to your festive gatherings and special occasion
