Sour cherry sauce

Cherry sauce: a delicacy for savory dishes

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6

A cherry sauce can transform an ordinary dish into a true explosion of flavors. Whether you use it to accompany a juicy steak or as a delicious topping for desserts, this sauce is easy to make and full of flavor. Follow the steps below to prepare a cherry sauce that will impress any guest.

Necessary ingredients:

- 1 jar of pitted cherry compote (about 400 g)
- 2-3 tablespoons of white flour
- 2 tablespoons of oil (sunflower oil or olive oil for a more intense flavor)
- 1 bay leaf
- Sugar, to taste (optional, for a sweeter sauce)
- Salt, to taste

Step by step for a perfect cherry sauce:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Open the jar of cherry compote and drain it well, keeping the juice in a separate bowl. This will be the base for your sauce. Make sure the cherries are pitted and halved if they are large.

2. Heating the oil: In a medium skillet, add the two tablespoons of oil and heat it over medium heat. The oil helps to lightly caramelize the flour, giving a pleasant taste to the sauce.

3. Thickening the sauce: Add 2-3 tablespoons of flour to the hot oil. Stir constantly with a wooden spatula or a whisk to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture for about 1-2 minutes until it turns golden, but do not let it brown too much.

4. Adding the compote juice: Lower the heat to low and slowly pour in the cherry compote juice, stirring continuously. This step is crucial to achieve a smooth sauce. Add gradually to control the consistency.

5. Seasoning the sauce: Add the bay leaf, salt to taste, and if desired, a little sugar to balance the acidity of the cherries. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly.

6. Finalizing the sauce: Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency, remove the skillet from the heat and take out the bay leaf. You can serve the sauce immediately or let it cool for later use.

Serving suggestions: This cherry sauce is delicious served alongside meat dishes, such as duck or pork, but also as a topping for fine cheeses or desserts like vanilla ice cream or pancakes. You can even use it as a base for a marinade by adding some herbs.

Possible variations: You can experiment with other fruits, such as cherries or strawberries, to create sauces with different flavors. Also, adding a little red wine during preparation can enhance the sauce's flavor.

This cherry sauce is a simple recipe but with a remarkable impact, ideal for those who want to add a touch of elegance to their meals. With quick preparation and accessible ingredients, I assure you that you will achieve a perfect result every time. Enjoy your meal!