With my bachelor party coming up this weekend, I thought it would be great to share a couple of recipes to help take your next backyard gathering to the next level. Whether it be a bachelor party, fantasy football draft, or one last bbq to cap off the summer, making your own sauces can elevate your event and really impress your guests.
My clients often ask about what to make from scratch and where you can cut corners. I always say that sauce is really the heart of any great dish, so spending the extra time to make your own sauces is really the best way to give your next meal a custom feel. It can be intimidating to read a recipe from online and create your own sauce, but with a little trial and error you will find it is really easy! Whether it be bbq, marinara, truffle cheese, or a simple buffalo sauce, the simplest way to take your home cuisine to the next level is making your own sauces
For my bachelor party this weekend, my friends and I have decided to make some of my favorite foods (smoked pork shoulder, buffalo wings, and mac n cheese) before we head out for what I am sure will be a memorable night! To take these simple dishes up a notch I am going to make the bbq, mac n cheese, and buffalo sauce from scratch. With friends traveling from around the country to be here, spending an hour putting a personal touch on the food is the best way I can say thank you for being here. Enjoy the recipes below!
Brix BBQ Sauce
2 cups ketchup
1 6oz can tomato paste
1 dark beer (newcastle)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
5 tablespoons dark brown sugar
5 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon ground mustard
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Combine all ingredients in sauce pan over medium heat and let simmer for 1 hour.
Buffalo Sauce
1 cup butter
2 cups Frank's Red Hot
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and let simmer for 10 minutes. Serve Hot...It's that simple! (add more cayenne to make it extra spicy)
Truffle Mac n Cheese Sauce
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 ounces white truffle butter (recommended: D'Artagnan)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 quart whole milk, scalded
2 cups grated Gruyere cheese
2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar
2 cups Velveeta cheese cut into cubes
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 garlic cloves, chopped
Combine the regular butter and flour in a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir constantly until a paste or roux forms. Slowly whisk in the scalded milk and stir until combined. Add the ground nutmeg, pepper, and garlic stir to combine. Add all of the cheeses one by one and whisk until combined. Finally add the truffle butter 1 tablespoon at a time until desired taste. (truffle can be overwhelming so start small) Salt to taste....when ready to serve combine with your favorite cooked pasta.