This easy, creamy bread sauce by James Martin is a comforting classic, perfect for adding warmth and flavor to any meal. Made with simple ingredients like milk, onion, and fresh breadcrumbs, it’s quick to prepare and deliciously versatile. Serve it hot with a roast; add crispy mustard croutons on top for extra crunch.
Ingredients Needed
- 1 large onion, peeled
- 6 cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 black peppercorns
- 570 ml / 1 pint full-fat milk (2 ⅓ cups)
- 110 g / 4 oz fresh white breadcrumbs (about 1 cup)
- 40 g / 1 ½ oz butter (3 tbsp)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How To Make Bread Sauce
- Prepare Onion and Milk: Press the cloves into the peeled onion and place it in a saucepan. Add the bay leaf, peppercorns, and milk.
- Heat and Infuse: Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and set aside for 15 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Strain and Add Breadcrumbs: Pass the milk through a sieve back into the pan, or remove the onion, bay leaf, and peppercorns. Stir in the breadcrumbs and place over low heat.
- Cook: Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the breadcrumbs absorb the milk and the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Finish: Stir in the butter, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Recipe Tips
- Infuse the Milk Well: After boiling the milk, let it sit with the onion and spices for at least 15 minutes. This step gives the sauce its rich, savory flavor.
- Adjust the Thickness: If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of warm milk and stir until it’s the right consistency.
- Stir Frequently: Keep stirring while cooking the sauce to prevent it from sticking to the pan and ensure even texture.
- Add Butter Last: Stir in the butter at the end to give the sauce a smooth, glossy finish. This step also helps balance the flavors perfectly.
How To Store And Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: First, let the leftover bread sauce cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Place the bread sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently for 5-10 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of milk if it’s too thick, and stir until smooth.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 100g)
- Calories: 89
- Total Fat: 1.4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
- Sodium: 0.4g
- Potassium: 164mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 15.5g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.6g
- Sugars: 5.1g
- Protein: 4.2g
Try More James Martin Recipes:
- James Martin Mushroom Stroganoff
- James Martin Lemon Cheesecake
- James Martin Buttermilk Scones
- James Martin Pulled Pork Jacket Potatoes
James Martin Bread Sauce
Description
This easy, creamy bread sauce by James Martin is a comforting classic, perfect for adding warmth and flavor to any meal. Made with simple ingredients like milk, onion, and fresh breadcrumbs, it’s quick to prepare and deliciously versatile. Serve it hot with a roast; add crispy mustard croutons on top for extra crunch.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare Onion and Milk: Press the cloves into the peeled onion and place it in a saucepan. Add the bay leaf, peppercorns, and milk.
- Heat and Infuse: Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and set aside for 15 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Strain and Add Breadcrumbs: Pass the milk through a sieve back into the pan, or remove the onion, bay leaf, and peppercorns. Stir in the breadcrumbs and place over low heat.
- Cook: Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the breadcrumbs absorb the milk and the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Finish: Stir in the butter, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Infuse the Milk Well: After boiling the milk, let it sit with the onion and spices for at least 15 minutes. This step gives the sauce its rich, savory flavor.
- Adjust the Thickness: If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of warm milk and stir until it’s the right consistency.
- Stir Frequently: Keep stirring while cooking the sauce to prevent it from sticking to the pan and ensure even texture.
- Add Butter Last: Stir in the butter at the end to give the sauce a smooth, glossy finish. This step also helps balance the flavors perfectly.
James Martin Bread Sauce