The kitchen equipment in western cuisines is sometimes very abundant. Also sometimes silly.
I remember buying tools that afterwards are kept in the closet unused. One of my worst buys was a fruit press that I used only once. Why? Well, because of the time it took to clean the press after using it! Not really a good investment.
On the other hand, some other kitchen ware and tools are almost a must for cooking. Ever heard about something called “Un saucier” or Sauce-maker? I do recommend this little pearl if you are a lover of tricky-to-make sauces, like “Hollandaise, Bèarnaise, Choron, Ravigote, etc.”
Another little gadget I like very much is a so called grill pan, made of cast Iron and a great tool to grill fish, steak and even veggies like peppers (paprika) and such.
Anyway, yesterday for diner we had some grilled steak (and Belgian fries, of course) with a home made bèarnaise sauce.
For the sauce: a half glass of white vinegar, a half glass of dry white wine, pepper and salt, fresh chopped tarragon, shallots, chervil, parsley. Put it all in the saucemaker at heating level 5 (hottest) Turn on the sauce maker and allow it to reduce till only 2 spoons of liquid remain. Sieve and allow to cool down.
Afterwards, add 3 egg yolks and the sieved reduced liquid to the saucemaker. Turn on at heating level 2 and start adding cubes of clarified butter. The sauce will thicken and after about 15 minutes turn the heating level down to 1. Add some freshly chopped tarragon leaves. Réserver.
Heat up the grill pan and start grilling the (slightly oiled) steaks.
Finish the fries and serve:
Bon appétit!
Not bad!
We have a few more power outlets in our kitchen here in Kuching, compared to our kitchen in San Jose. But I don’t think we’ll be able to find a French sauce maker like that around here.
WEhere can one get the Le Saucier?
The SEB site does not offer outside the EU.
WW
Sorry for this late reply but in fact I nver saw your post before. Anyhow: I bought mine in Belgium and never saw it on sale outside the old continent. Cheers.
JP