Yield:Yields about 1-1/2 cups.

This is a deeply flavored, low-fat alternative to butter- or cream-based sauces. It’s easy to improvise with any sautéed, steamed, or roasted vegetable. Spoon over grilled or roasted chicken, beef, and pork; nap onto sautéed fish, pork, chicken, or veal; a great way to add color to a plate; use to thicken pan sauces; add to vinaigrettes to boost their flavor.

Ingredients

1 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 Tbs. olive oil
3 medium onions, thinly sliced
3 shallots, thinly sliced
1 small leek (white and pale green only), thinly sliced
1-1/2 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth; more as needed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

在中型煎锅小火,但是ter and oil. Add the onions, shallots, and leek; cook, covered, for 20 minutes; uncover and cook, stirring often, until very soft and a deep golden brown, another 40 minutes. Add the broth and boil for 6 to 8 minutes to reduce slightly. Purée in a food processor and strain though a sieve or pass the mixture through a food mill. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add more broth if the sauce is too thick.

Carrot or Fennel Coulis:Omit the onions and add 1 lb. of carrots or fennel to the shallots and leek. Cook until very tender but not brown. For a richer sauce, use half cream and half broth.

Red Pepper Coulis:Roast or grill 3 to 4 red bell peppers until charred. Remove the stems, seeds, ribs, and charred skins. Purée in a food processor and strain though a sieve or pass the mixture through a food mill. Season with a bit of balsamic vinegar, deglazed pan drippings, or a bit of puréed canned chipotle chile. This is also good with poblano or Anaheim chiles in place of, or in addition to, the bell peppers.

Roasted Garlic Coulis:Cut off the top third of 3 heads of garlic, wrap loosely in foil, and roast at 400°F until soft, about 1 hour. Squeeze the garlic pulp from the skins and work it through a food mill or a strainer. Season with salt and pepper. Put the purée in a small saucepan. Add 1-1/2 cups broth or cream (or a combination of the two) and simmer until reduced to the desired consistency. Add a bit of extra-virgin olive oil for a smoother, creamier consistency.