Brun Sovs (Danish Brown Gravy)
Brun Sovs (Danish Brown Gravy) - kvalifood.com
The standard gravy in Danish home cooking. A roux-based sauce where butter and flour are browned, then thinned with stock. Gravy browning (kuloer) gives it the characteristic color, and redcurrant jelly adds a touch of sweetness.
Makes ca. 500 ml (4 servings)
Ingredients
- 40 g butter (or rendered pan drippings)
- 40 g all-purpose flour
- 500 ml stock
- 1 tbsp white vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
- 1 tbsp redcurrant jelly
- gravy browning (kuloer), a few drops
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- 50-100 ml whole milk (or heavy cream), optional
- 1 tbsp sherry (or port), optional
Directions
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Let it foam and turn lightly golden.
Add the flour all at once and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until the roux is smooth and smells lightly toasted.
Add the vinegar and whisk to combine. Gradually pour in the stock in small additions, whisking vigorously after each pour. Wait until each addition is incorporated before adding the next.
Once smooth, reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring regularly.
Stir in the redcurrant jelly and a few drops of gravy browning until the color is an appetizing medium brown. If using milk or cream, stir it in now. If using sherry or port, add it at the end.
Season with salt and pepper. If too thick, thin with a splash of stock or milk.
Notes
Match the stock to the main dish: pork drippings for roast pork, potato cooking water for frikadeller, beef stock as a standalone version.
Potato water (kartoffelvand) is traditional and adds starch that helps thicken naturally.
Gravy browning (kuloer) is sold in Scandinavian grocery stores. Outside Scandinavia, use soy sauce (a few drops) as a substitute.
Brun sovs reheats well. It thickens as it cools – thin with stock or milk when reheating.
See Also
Brunsaus (Norwegian Brown Sauce)
Classic Rakmacka Mayonnaise (Swedish Shrimp Sandwich Mayo)
Bearnaisesås (Swedish Bearnaise Sauce)
Brunsas (Swedish Brown Cream Sauce)
