In response to the pandemic, many restaurants have chosen to simplify their menu to reduce costs and maximize profits. Meaning that chefs are now unleashing their creativity to find more ways to keep their dishes exciting and trendy, without complicating their operations. One way to add full-bodied meaty flavours to any dish is using Demi-glace.
Demi-glace is a rich brown sauce commonly used in French cuisine on its own, or as a base for other sauces. But nowadays, this versatile sauce can used in so many interesting ways—especially for fusion, East meets West cuisine.
Here are 5 fun ways to use Demi-glace in your cooking —hopefully some of them would inspire your next menu innovation.
1. Risotto
Add a creative spin to this hearty and warm dish by cooking it in a rich demi-glace sauce. That way, you get strong, beefy flavours in the risotto, which you can serve with a nice slab of steak and some vegetables. You can even add an Asian twist to it by pairing your bulgogi-inspired risotto with some Korean barbecue. Yum!
2. Sushi
Japanese rolls have become versatile, with chefs adding their own creative spin to their creations. Demi-glace can be added in Teriyaki sauce for stronger meaty flavours, which you can then add to barbecued beef that you roll together to create an unforgettable Yakiniku Beef Maki Sushi that guests will remember you for.
3. Korean Barbecue
Korean Barbecue, or Samgyeopsal, is a go-to for smoked meats that you cook by yourself over the grill. Add a creative spin to these thinly sliced meats by using demi-glace in the marinade, or even as a glaze to make things meatier and oh-so-addicting. (Tip: You can even serve this as a dipping sauce!)
4. Ramen
Ramen is now becoming a popular comfort food dish that warms and fills guests up nicely. Demi-glace gives an excellent boost of flavour, especially for beef ramen. Use it as a soup base, or even as a marinade for meat that you will serve along with springy, al dente ramen noodles.
5. Hotpot
Hot pot is a versatile dish that everyone can customize based on their preferences. Use demi-glace in the soup base, marinade or dipping sauce for all sorts of meats—not just beef.
These easy recipes are a great way to bring something new to the table. Demi-glace is more than just a sauce—it can be used in more ways than one. Let your creativity run free, and you too may someday find more uses for this versatile ingredient.
