Horseradish Sauce

Horseradish Sauce - A Creamy Delicacy for Your Dishes

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6

Horseradish sauce is a delicacy that perfectly combines creaminess with the distinctive spiciness of horseradish. This sauce, often associated with meat dishes, is an excellent choice to add a touch of flavor and freshness to your meals. Throughout history, horseradish sauce has been used both as a staple ingredient in culinary preparations and as a natural remedy, due to its beneficial properties. Horseradish is known for its positive effects on the digestive system and its vitamin C content, making it not only tasty but also healthy.

Ingredients

- 30 g white flour
- 50 ml oil (or 30 g butter)
- 1/2 l milk
- 100 ml sour cream
- Juice from 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons grated horseradish (or 1 horseradish root)
- Salt to taste

Necessary utensils

- A small pot
- A whisk
- A fine grater for horseradish
- A measuring spoon
- A serving plate

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preparing the ingredients
Make sure you have all the ingredients on hand. It is essential to use fresh ingredients to achieve an exceptional horseradish sauce. If you choose to use fresh horseradish, the root should be firm and blemish-free. Fresh horseradish has a more intense flavor than the jarred kind.

2. Heating the fat
In a small pot, add the oil or butter and place it over medium heat. Let it heat well, but be careful not to let it smoke. The aroma of melted butter or warm oil will add extra flavor to your sauce.

3. Adding the flour
When the fat is well heated, add the flour. Stir constantly with a whisk to prevent lumps from forming. Toast the flour for about 2-3 minutes until it turns golden. This step is important as it will add a nutty flavor to your sauce.

4. Adding milk
Once the flour has taken on a golden hue, start adding the cold milk gradually. Continue to stir vigorously to prevent lumps from forming. Once the milk is fully incorporated, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently. It will thicken gradually.

5. Thickening the sauce
After about 5-7 minutes, the sauce should be thick enough. You can check its consistency: it should coat the back of a spoon. At this point, remove the pot from the heat.

6. Adding sour cream
Add the sour cream thinned with 1-2 tablespoons of cold water. Mix well to integrate the sour cream into the sauce. This step will add a delicious creaminess, making the sauce richer.

7. Seasoning the sauce
Add the lemon juice and salt to taste. You can adjust the acidity of the sauce according to your preferences, but the lemon juice will add a pleasant contrast to the spicy horseradish.

8. Adding horseradish
Now comes the crucial moment! Just before serving, add the grated horseradish using a fine grater. Mix well, but do not put the sauce back on the heat, as cooking the horseradish will make it bitter. This is the secret to a perfect horseradish sauce!

Practical Tips

- Horseradish: If using fresh horseradish, peel and grate it just before adding it to the sauce to preserve the intense aroma.
- Serving: Horseradish sauce pairs perfectly with meat dishes, fish, or even grilled vegetables. I suggest serving it alongside pork or beef steaks, as well as baked fish.
- Variations: You can experiment with adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley to add a note of freshness.

Combinations and Serving

Horseradish sauce is extremely versatile and can be combined with various dishes. For example, alongside a juicy beef steak or a portion of baked fish, it will create a fabulous contrast of flavors. It is also delicious with boiled or steamed vegetables. Feel free to use it as a dressing for salads or as a dip for raw vegetables.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use jarred horseradish?
Yes, but make sure to choose a quality one. Fresh horseradish will provide a more intense flavor, but jarred horseradish is a convenient alternative.

2. What happens if I add horseradish too early?
If horseradish is cooked, its flavor will become bitter. Add it only just before serving for the best results.

3. Can I prepare horseradish sauce in advance?
It is recommended to prepare it fresh, but you can store it in the refrigerator for a day or two. Make sure to add fresh horseradish before serving.

4. What are the benefits of horseradish?
Horseradish is rich in vitamin C and has antioxidant properties. It can aid digestion and strengthen the immune system.

5. What can I serve with horseradish sauce?
You can serve it with pork, beef, fish, as well as steamed vegetables or roasts.

Conclusion

Horseradish sauce is a simple and quick recipe that can transform an ordinary meal into an unforgettable culinary experience. With every bite, you will enjoy the perfect combination of creaminess and a spicy flavor that will delight the taste buds of your family and friends. Try this recipe and enjoy the final result!