A true chef knows that a good sauce has the potential to transform an entire meal. Sauciers and saucepans are versatile pieces of cookware and can help you elevate traditional dishes into restaurant-worthy meals. Whether you are looking to make a classic gravy for your chicken, or want to tackle your first-ever risotto, the saucepan is the perfect piece of cookware to prepare delicate dishes to complement your meal and add another layer of flavour to the final dish.
The saucepan and saucier offer superior heat retention and expose ingredients to a consistent heat source throughout. Each piece of cookware comes with its own unique advantages, and features. The saucier and the saucepan are available in enamelled cast iron, toughened nonstick, and stainless steel. Before we look into recipes, let us first take a look at the key differences between a saucier and a saucepan as they can be used interchangeably.
Saucier vs Saucepan
A saucier and saucepan are very similar pieces of cookware, however, with a few distinctions. Saucepans typically have straight sides and are ideal for preparing grains, small sides, and of course, sauces. Sauciers, on the other hand, have rounded sides which make whisking a delicate sauce easier. The rounded bottom offers cooks a unique advantage, ensuring sauce does not stick on the corners of the pan and gets burned or stuck in corners. Its shape also promotes constant movement in the pot, allowing flavours to mingle and develop effortlessly.
Here are 8 delicate dishes perfect for your saucepan.
Classic Poultry Gravy
There is nothing quite like a classic poultry gravy. Indeed, it is a classic for a reason. This recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and is perfect to complement your main course. Simply add pan drippings and whisk in flour in a medium saucepan over moderate heat. The key is to keep whisking until the roux achieves a deep, golden brown colour, which should take about five minutes.
Roux is essentially when flour and fat is cooked together and is often used to thicken sauces. Once the roux looks shiny, whisk it in half a cup of dry white wine for about two minutes as stock is being simmered in another saucepan.
Gradually incorporate the stock into the sauce and keep whisking until the gravy is completely consistent. This shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes. Finish by straining the gravy in a fine-mesh sieve before seasoning and serving.
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Roasted Chicken with Cider Vinegar BBQ Sauce
Ring in BBQ season with a cider vinegar BBQ sauce atop a perfectly roasted chicken in an Oval French Oven. The roasted chicken may be the centerpiece of the dish, but the cider vinegar BBQ sauce transforms this classic into a delicious treat. The sauce is rich in flavours, featuring a perfect balance between sweet, savoury, and tangy. The dash of cayenne pepper offers this meal a much-needed kick, contrasting the existing flavours wonderfully.
Simply add all the apple cider vinegar, spicy mustard, worcestershire sauce and remaining ingredients into a stainless steel saucepan on medium heat. Simmer all the ingredients until the sugar has completely dissolved and the sauce thickens.
Preparing the sauce is the final step as it takes approximately eight to ten minutes. Once the cider vinegar BBQ sauce is ready, pour it over the roasted chicken and serve. The remaining sauce can even be put in small bowls and used as a dunking sauce for the chicken.
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Warm Mustard Green Beans
Are you looking to introduce more greens to your meals? Look no further than the warm mustard green beans. This dish is extremely simple to make and can quickly become a weeknight staple in the kitchen. This side can be served as a main course or as an additional side along with a meat accompaniment.
Before preparing the mustard vinaigrette, boil the green beans in the saucier for about six minutes. The goal is for the beans to achieve a crisp-tender consistency. The sauce itself is made from five simple ingredients commonly found in the pantry, including whole grain mustard, olive oil, salt, pepper, and vinegar. Heat the saucier pan to medium heat and cook the ingredients for about 30 seconds. The tricky part with this recipe is ensuring the saucier reaches the appropriate temperature before constantly stirring with a whisk. Toss the green beans in the saucier and dinner is served!
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Brussel Sprouts with Chanterelle Mushrooms
The enamelled cast iron saucier is the ideal piece of cookware for this delicious treat and takes no longer than 30 minutes to prepare. Our brussel sprouts with chanterelle mushrooms serves between six and eight people, making it a great option for the whole family.
Add olive oil and bacon and cook for five minutes after the saucier reaches medium heat. The bacon should be crispy before the shallots and mushrooms are introduced into the pan. Bring the saucier down to a simmer and finish by adding brussel sprouts and a ¼ cup of chicken broth.
After the brussel sprouts have cooked for about five minutes, turn the heat down to a simmer and let the saucier do the rest. The bacon, shallots, and mushrooms will contrast the brussel sprouts to perfection, offering a hearty meal in no time. Cook the remaining ingredients with a lid for 10 to 12 minutes, and voilà, the perfect side dish is ready– and all you needed was your saucier!
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Pumpkin Apple Soup
Pumpkin apple soup is a great recipe for the sweet tooth in the family, all-while offering a heart meal in under an hour. Pumpkin, as the name suggests, is the dish’s signature ingredient, however, it can easily be swapped out for butternut squad depending on your preferences. The Granny Smith Apple and apple cider give the dish the kick it needs, complimenting the chopped onions to perfection.
The toughened nonstick saucepan is ideal for this recipe, allowing you to stir the delicate ingredients with ease without the fear of burning them or sticking to the corners. Simply simmer the ingredients for approximately 25 minutes until both the apples and the pumpkins are completely tender. This recipe serves up to eight people, making it a convenient option for weeknight cooking.
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Mixed Mushrooms Risotto
Preparing a risotto for the first time and getting it right can seem daunting. But a quality risotto all starts with the ingredients and cookware used. The stainless steel saucier, also commonly referred to as the Chef’s Pan, is perfect for this recipe as it can accommodate for the delicate nature of risotto.
This mixed mushroom risotto is a great place to start, featuring oyster mushrooms, chanterelles, honey mushrooms, and more depending on personal preference. It is crucial to sauté the mushrooms in olive oil for about five minutes before introducing the risotto into the pan. This will ensure flavour is not lacking in this dish.
Add the risotto rice into the pan and turn up the heat to medium. The trick is to keep stirring as the rice begins to lightly fry. The chef’s pan rounded sides make it ideal for constant stirring, ensuring the risotto does not get burned. This recipe takes under an hour to make and can serve up to six people.
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Pea Soup
The saucier is an extremely versatile piece of cookware and can even be used to make this hearty pea soup. This recipe is ideal for green eaters and is an extremely healthy alternative, featuring peas and spinach as the stars of the dish. The saucier is great for this soup as the peas will slowly absorb all the rich flavours from the green onions, fresh herbs, mint, and parsley over a low simmer.
Add in the peas, spinach, and fresh herbs and simmer for five minutes. The goal should be to achieve a purée of sorts and blend the ingredients until a smooth texture is achieved. Top off this soup with toasted croutons, fresh pea shoots, and freshly cracked black pepper right before serving for added flavour. This pea soup can be prepared in under an hour, serving up to four people depending on the portions.
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Mixed Berry Sorbet
This mixed berry sorbet is a great option to cap off your meal with a sweet and tasty treat. While it may take over two hours to prepare, this delicious dessert is worth the wait. Simply start by stirring caster sugar, glucose, golden syrup, and water together in a stainless steel saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat for about five minutes until it begins to bubble.
Once the mixture is ready, pour it into a bowl and allow it to cool. Add in puréed mixed berries and a pinch of fresh lemon juice before churning it all together in an ice cream machine. Le Creuset's Pâté Terrine dish is recommended to store the mixture until it freezes and it is ready to be served.
See the recipeThe saucier and saucepans can be used to prepare a number of delicious dishes, ranging from main courses, to side dishes, and desserts. Whether you are looking to prepare your first-ever risotto or are ready to tackle a mixed berry sorbet, these pieces of cookware are versatile enough for many of your favourite recipes.
The saucier is ideal for the more delicate dishes, allowing you to constantly whisk sauces without the fear of burning them. The material used will ultimately depend on which recipe you are looking to prepare, with each coming with their own unique advantages and benefits.
These were just eight recipes that can be easily prepared in a saucier or saucepan to feed the whole family. For more inspiration, visit our featured recipes and step up your cooking game with some of our favourite meals.
started. Visit our featured recipes or blog for more inspiration and start preparing your summer feasts.
