Here is a handful of super-fast and almost ridiculously easy sauces based on ingredients you probably have on hand. Some are served cold or at room temperature. Most you can make ahead and store in the fridge for a bit. And all can be varied to go with virtually anything you make, at any time of year.
Nothing could be easier or more versatile. All you have to do is boil some pasta or rice or broil a piece of chicken or fish, then get this going while it cooks. I’ll start you off with the base recipe—a kind of warm vinaigrette—and a handful of variations, but no doubt you’ll soon come up with even more ideas.
MAKES: 4 servings (1/2 cup)
TIME: 5 minutes
BASE RECIPE:
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or butter
- 1 tablespoon minced onion, garlic, ginger, shallot, scallion, or lemongrass
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice or mild vinegar, like balsamic
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Put the oil or butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. When the oil is warm or the butter is melted, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens (turn the heat down if it starts to color), a minute or two.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons water and the lemon juice and sprinkle with some salt and pepper; maintain the heat so it bubbles gently for a minute or two. Taste, adjust the seasoning, and serve.
VARIATIONS:
- Spiced Five-Minute Drizzle Sauce: Along with the onion or other aromatic, add a pinch of any spice (such as ground cumin, coriander, or saffron) or spice blend like chili powder or curry powder. You can also add a small cinnamon stick or piece of vanilla bean.
- Herbed Five-Minute Drizzle Sauce: Just before serving, stir in some chopped fresh herbs. Add 2 tablespoons of milder herbs like parsley, basil, chives, cilantro, or mint, or 2 teaspoons of more potent herbs like rosemary, tarragon, sage, or oregano.
- Fiery Five-Minute Drizzle Sauce: Along with the onion or other aromatic, add 1 tablespoon minced fresh chile (like jalapeño or Thai) or a whole dried chile. You can also add a sprinkle of hot red pepper flakes or cayenne.
- Sesame-Soy Five-Minute Drizzle Sauce: Replace the olive oil with 2 tablespoons each of dark sesame and peanut oil. Replace the lemon juice with soy sauce. Along with the onion or other aromatic, add 1 tablespoon sesame seeds or finely chopped peanuts if desired. Finish by adding 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves just before using, if desired.
- Miso Five-Minute Drizzle Sauce: Scrap the whole main recipe and do this: Combine 1/2 cup miso, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup mirin (or 2 tablespoons honey mixed with 2 tablespoons water) or sake in a small saucepan. Bring almost to a boil to dissolve the sugar, then just keep warm until ready to serve.
- Ten-Minute Juicy Drizzle Sauce: Almost any high-quality juice works here—try carrot, tomato, orange, or pomegranate, for example. Omit the lemon juice and water. In Step 2, stir in 1 cup fruit or vegetable juice instead. Bring the mixture to a boil and adjust the heat so it bubbles steadily. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the juice reduces by half and thickens almost to a syrup, about 5 minutes. Add herbs (see the first variation) if you like and serve.
Enjoy experimenting with these variations and creating your own ideas!
