The Cheap Gourmet

Homemade Brie Cheese Sauce

My husband and I recently dined at a steakhouse. Their special of the day was a filet mignon topped with brie cheese sauce. Considering brie cheese is my favorite cheese on the planet, I couldn't pass up the sauce! It was the highlight of the meal and I pondered how to make the sauce for days.

Last week, I purchased a round of Alouette brie cheese so I could practice making homemade brie cheese sauce. I am happy to report it came out exceptionally well! You can use any brand of brie cheese you like, but I find that Alouette Cheeses are tasty, affordable, and make perfect sauces.

BRIE CHEESE SAUCE

Yield: 1 cup
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 teaspoon Bacon Grease (can substitute with Olive Oil)
1-1/2 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 teaspoon Butter
1/8 cup Onion, minced
1 Tablespoon Flour
1/2 cup Half-and-Half (can substitute with Whole Milk, Soy Milk, or Almond Milk)
3 ounces Alouette Brie Cheese (rind removed)

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small saucepan, melt bacon grease, olive oil and butter over medium heat.
2. Add onion and saute until onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.
3. Add flour and mix well.
4. Slowly add milk and stir constantly.
5. Add brie cheese. Reduce heat to medium-low and heat until sauce is thickened, stirring constantly.
6. Remove from heat. Transfer to gravy pitcher and serve immediately

Brie cheese sauce tastes great served over steak, steamed veggies, pasta or as a dipping sauce for raw vegetables and fruit.

Gado Gado: Spicy Indonesian Nut Sauce

Gado Gado is a spicy nut sauce originating in Indonesian. It is served over an arrangement of cooked or raw vegetables. This recipe uses almond butter and creates a smooth, silky sauce. Pour gado gado sauce over vegetables and garnish with apple slices, lemon or orange slices, toasted sunflower seeds or almond silvers.

Recommended vegetable selections include: steamed cabbage, shredded raw cabbage, baby carrots, celery slices, steamed broccoli, or fresh green beans.

GADO GADO SAUCE RECIPE

Serves 8
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Ready in: 55 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons Coconut oil
1 cup Onion, chopped
2 cloves Garlic, crushed
1 Bay leaf
2 teaspoons Ginger root, freshly grated
1 cup Almond Butter
1 tablespoon Maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
1 Lemon, juice only
1 tablespoon organic Apple cider vinegar
3 cups Water
1 teaspoon Sea salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a saucepan, cook the onions, garlic, bay leaf and ginger in coconut oil.
2. When onion becomes translucent, add remaining ingredients; mix thoroughly.
3. Simmer on lowest possible heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

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Super Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning

Have you ever purchased taco seasoning in a packet? Did you know that many of the top brands contain MSG (mono-sodium glutamate), whey solids (milk), sugar, potato starch and citric acid? If you're tired of paying high prices for a packet of artificial seasoning, consider making your own. This super easy homemade taco seasoning recipe will bring a new level of flavor to your tacos, burritos, enchiladas, tostadas and more!

Super Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning
Yield: 1.25 ounces
Prep Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

2 teaspoons Adobo Seasoning
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly ground
1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon Paprika
1 Cowhorn* Pepper, minced

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small bowl, mix all ingredients together.
2. 3.Add to one-pound ground beef, turkey or chicken (cooked and drained).
3. Add 2/3-cup water to meat.
4. Bring to a quick boil, than simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.

You can double, triple or even quadruple this recipe and store in an airtight container. If storing, do not include the Cowhorn pepper. You'll need to add that at the time of use.

*You can replace the Cowhorn pepper with any pepper of your choice.

All-Purpose Meat Marinade Recipe

Here's a recipe for an easy-to-prepare all-purpose meat marinade. You can use this marinade for white fish, chicken, turkey, red meat (it's awesome for London Broil), ribs, hamburgers, meatloaf and more. If you try it, stop back and let me know how you used it and how you like it!

ALL-PURPOSE MEAT MARINADE
Makes 1 cup

INGREDIENTS:

1/3-cup Soy Sauce (reduced sodium is a healthier choice)
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/3 cup Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Adobo Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly ground

DIRECTIONS:

1. Using a small wire whisk, combine all ingredients together.
2. Place your choice of meat in a glass baking dish and pour marinade over meat. Flip meat and coat the other side.
3. Place meat in refrigerator for 30 minutes and no longer than 2 hours.
4. Transfer meat to oven or grill and cook until done.

Note: If using the marinade to season hamburgers or meatloaf, use just enough to moisten the meat. Otherwise, you'll end up with a liquidy mess that won't be pretty or edible.

Tip: You can double or triple the recipe and store in a shaker bottle. Store in the refrigerator and use to season rice, vegetables, potatoes, or whatever strikes your fancy.

Enjoy!