Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

demi-glace & espagnole sauce

Recipe by
Francine Lizotte
Surrey South, BC

Rich dark sauce perfect to add to others or by itself, this Demi-Glace from Espagnole Sauce is definitely a must in your kitchen!

yield 1 1/2 cups
prep time 25 Min
cook time 1 Hr 30 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For demi-glace & espagnole sauce

  • ESPAGNOLE SAUCE ~ 2 1/2 CUPS
  • 4 Tbsp
    clarified butter
  • 1 c
    red onions, chopped
  • 1/2 c
    celery, diced
  • 1/2 c
    carrots, diced
  • 1/2 tsp
    chervil (substitute tarragon)
  • 4 Tbsp
    unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 4 c
    cold low-sodium beef stock
  • 3 Tbsp
    tomato purée
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste (i always use mixed peppercorns)
  • 1
    bay leaf

How To Make demi-glace & espagnole sauce

  • 1
    Espagnole Sauce; In a large pot over medium heat, add clarified butter and when sizzling, add mirepoix (onion, celery, carrot) and cook for 6 minutes or until soft. Add chervil, stir before adding flour; cook for a few minutes. Pour in beef broth and add tomato purée; season with black pepper and bay leaf. Stir well, bring mixture to a boil then reduce back to medium and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • 2
    Pour the sauce through a fine sieve resting on a bowl pressing down on the vegetables to extract as much liquid and flavor as possible; discard what’s in the sieve. Pour the Espagnole sauce in a measuring cup to know the volume; transfer back to a clean pot.
  • 3
    Demi-Glace; Pour in beef stock equal to the same amount of Espagnole sauce; i.e. if it was 2 ½ cups Espagnole sauce, add 2 ½ cups beef stock. Bring to a boil.
  • 4
    Meanwhile, prepare the spice/herb sachet. In a sachet or cheesecloth, combine thyme leaves, peppercorns, bay leaf and parsley; tie shut or use kitchen twine if using cheesecloth; set aside.
  • 5
    When sauce is boiling, add sachet to it. Stir well, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently until the liquid has reduced by half, about 40 to 50 minutes.
  • 6
    Retrieve the sachet and discard it. Line a fine sieve with cheesecloth over a large bowl. Pour the demi-glace through it; discard the cheesecloth and proceed with the recipe otherwise pour it in an ice cube tray and transfer to the freezer. When frozen, place demi-glace cubes in a re-sealable freezer bag for later use
  • 7
    NOTE: If not using the demi-glace for another sauce, season it and serve it.
  • 8
    To view this recipe on YouTube, click on this link >>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h2dHIjsUCM
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