This Delia Smith Bread Sauce is a traditional British side dish that pairs beautifully with roasted meats, particularly turkey or chicken. Made with simple ingredients like milk, onions, cloves, and breadcrumbs, this creamy sauce adds a comforting, flavorful touch to any meal.
It’s perfect for holiday dinners or Sunday roasts, and its smooth texture and mild flavor make it a timeless classic.
What is Delia Smith Bread Sauce?
Bread sauce is a classic British accompaniment that’s traditionally served with roasted poultry. Delia Smith’s version combines milk infused with onions and cloves, thickened with breadcrumbs, and finished with butter and cream for a rich and creamy consistency. The mild flavor of the sauce complements the roasted meat, adding a comforting and nostalgic element to any meal.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Traditional and comforting: A perfect side dish for roast dinners, especially during the holidays.
- Simple ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples to create a flavorful sauce.
- Rich and creamy: The combination of milk, butter, and cream gives it a luxurious texture.
- Easy to make: Requires minimal effort and can be prepared ahead of time.
- Perfect for family gatherings: A classic side dish that adds warmth and nostalgia to any meal.
Ingredients Needed to Make Delia Smith Bread Sauce
- Whole milk (600ml): Forms the creamy base of the sauce.
- Onion (1 medium, peeled and halved): Adds depth and flavor to the sauce.
- Cloves (6-8): Infuse the sauce with a subtle, warm spiced flavor.
- Bay leaf (1): Adds an aromatic touch to the sauce.
- Fresh breadcrumbs (75g): Thickens the sauce and gives it its signature texture.
- Butter (25g): For added richness and creaminess.
- Double cream (2 tbsp, optional): For extra creaminess, especially for special occasions.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
- Nutmeg (a pinch, optional): Adds a subtle warmth and spice to the sauce.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Knife and cutting board
- Whisk
Instructions to Make Delia Smith Bread Sauce
- Infuse the milk: Pour the milk into a medium saucepan. Add the halved onion, cloves, and bay leaf. Bring the milk to a simmer over low heat, being careful not to let it boil. Once simmering, remove the pan from the heat, cover, and let the milk infuse with the flavors for at least 30 minutes.
- Strain the milk: After 30 minutes, strain the infused milk into a clean saucepan to remove the onion, cloves, and bay leaf.
- Add the breadcrumbs: Stir the fresh breadcrumbs into the infused milk. Place the pan back over low heat and gently simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Finish with butter and cream: Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the butter and double cream (if using) for extra richness. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if desired.
- Serve: The bread sauce is ready to serve immediately, or you can keep it warm on low heat. If the sauce thickens too much, you can loosen it with a little more milk or cream before serving. Serve with roasted turkey, chicken, or your favorite meats.
What Goes Well with Delia Smith Bread Sauce?
- Roast turkey: A classic pairing for bread sauce, especially during Christmas and Thanksgiving.
- Roast chicken: Complements the flavors of roasted chicken for Sunday roasts.
- Roast pork: The creamy texture of bread sauce pairs well with the rich, savory flavor of roast pork.
- Stuffing: Drizzle bread sauce over stuffing for added moisture and flavor.
- Vegetables: Serve alongside roasted vegetables like carrots, parsnips, or Brussels sprouts.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Delia Smith Bread Sauce
- Use fresh breadcrumbs: Fresh, soft breadcrumbs will give the sauce a better texture than store-bought dried breadcrumbs. You can make your own by blitzing stale bread in a food processor.
- Infuse the milk properly: Letting the milk infuse with the onions, cloves, and bay leaf for at least 30 minutes ensures the sauce has a deep, rich flavor.
- Add cream for extra richness: While optional, adding double cream at the end makes the sauce extra luxurious and perfect for holiday meals.
- Adjust the thickness: If the sauce becomes too thick, simply add more milk or cream to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Make ahead: Bread sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk to bring it back to the right consistency.
Easy Variations of Delia Smith Bread Sauce
- Garlic bread sauce: Add a clove of garlic to the milk while infusing a subtle garlic flavor.
- Herb-infused bread sauce: Add fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for an herbaceous twist.
- Cheesy bread sauce: Stir in a handful of grated cheese, like Parmesan or cheddar, for a cheesy version of the sauce.
- Vegan bread sauce: Replace the milk with plant-based milk like almond or oat, and use vegan butter for a dairy-free option.
Best Practices to Store Delia Smith Bread Sauce
- Refrigerate leftovers: Store any leftover bread sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Make ahead: Bread sauce can be made a day in advance and gently reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of milk to loosen it if it becomes too thick.
- Do not freeze: Bread sauce doesn’t freeze well due to the milk and bread base, which can cause the sauce to separate when thawed.
Best Practices to Reheat Delia Smith Bread Sauce
- Reheat on the stovetop: Place the bread sauce in a small saucepan and gently reheat over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of milk or cream if it has thickened too much.
- Microwave for quick reheating: Transfer the bread sauce to a microwave-safe dish and reheat in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until warmed through.
Nutrition Value (per serving):
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Protein: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
FAQs
Can bread sauce be made ahead of time?
Yes, bread sauce can be made a day in advance. Once made, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat it gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk if it thickens too much.
What type of bread is best for bread sauce?
Fresh breadcrumbs from white bread are ideal for bread sauce. Stale bread works well too, as it helps create a smoother texture. Avoid using very dense or crusty bread as it can make the sauce too thick.
Can you freeze bread sauce?
Freezing bread sauce is not recommended. The milk and bread base can separate upon thawing, resulting in a less smooth texture. It’s best made fresh or stored in the fridge for a few days.
How do I thicken or thin bread sauce?
To thicken bread sauce, add more fresh breadcrumbs and simmer gently. To thin the sauce, stir in extra milk or cream until you reach the desired consistency.
Final Words
Delia Smith’s Bread Sauce is a classic, comforting side dish that’s perfect for roast dinners, particularly during the holidays.
Its creamy, mild flavor pairs beautifully with roasted meats and vegetables, making it a must-have addition to any festive meal.
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Delia Smith Bread Sauce
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Description
Bread sauce is a classic British accompaniment that’s traditionally served with roasted poultry. Delia Smith’s version combines milk infused with onions and cloves, thickened with breadcrumbs, and finished with butter and cream for a rich and creamy consistency. The mild flavor of the sauce complements the roasted meat, adding a comforting and nostalgic element to any meal.
Ingredients
- Whole milk (600ml): Forms the creamy base of the sauce.
- Onion (1 medium, peeled and halved): Adds depth and flavor to the sauce.
- Cloves (6-8): Infuse the sauce with a subtle, warm spiced flavor.
- Bay leaf (1): Adds an aromatic touch to the sauce.
- Fresh breadcrumbs (75g): Thickens the sauce and gives it its signature texture.
- Butter (25g): For added richness and creaminess.
- Double cream (2 tbsp, optional): For extra creaminess, especially for special occasions.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
- Nutmeg (a pinch, optional): Adds a subtle warmth and spice to the sauce.
Instructions
- Infuse the milk: Pour the milk into a medium saucepan. Add the halved onion, cloves, and bay leaf. Bring the milk to a simmer over low heat, being careful not to let it boil. Once simmering, remove the pan from the heat, cover, and let the milk infuse with the flavors for at least 30 minutes.
- Strain the milk: After 30 minutes, strain the infused milk into a clean saucepan to remove the onion, cloves, and bay leaf.
- Add the breadcrumbs: Stir the fresh breadcrumbs into the infused milk. Place the pan back over low heat and gently simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Finish with butter and cream: Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the butter and double cream (if using) for extra richness. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if desired.
- Serve: The bread sauce is ready to serve immediately, or you can keep it warm on low heat. If the sauce thickens too much, you can loosen it with a little more milk or cream before serving. Serve with roasted turkey, chicken, or your favorite meats.
