Chicken meat is perhaps one of the most versatile and dietary products that every housewife can find in the house. Chicken contains almost all the essential proteins, amino acids and vitamins necessary for the proper functioning of the body. It is known that the most useful and low-calorie (about 113 kcal per 100 grams) part of a chicken carcass is the breast. Chicken-based dishes are the most popular and delicious in our country. There are a huge number of recipes involving chicken meat. The most versatile chicken dish that goes well with almost all side dishes is chicken gravy or sauce.
About sauces
Sauce or gravy is perhaps one of the most successful finishing notes of a dish, because it can emphasize the rich taste of the prepared treat.
This culinary masterpiece is indispensable both during a feast and a holiday, as well as in everyday eating.
The purpose of any sauce is to set off the richness of the dish's taste, highlight its main advantages and hide, if any, disadvantages.
It is not for nothing that our ancestors were still able to make various types of gravy from the juice released during the preparation of the main meat or fish dishes.
Gradually the word "gravy" was replaced by the concept of "sauce". Despite this, the concepts still have a difference. It is accepted that gravies have a thicker and more viscous consistency.
There are a huge number of recipes for making gravy. They can be prepared from juice, broth, sour cream, tomatoes and other vegetables released during cooking. To improve or change the taste of the sauce, a variety of herbs and spices, onions, and garlic are usually added. Depending on the nationality of the cuisine, on the geographical location of the population, taste preferences can vary in a wide range. So, for example, among the peoples of India it is customary to eat a huge amount of spices, including as the main ingredients for sauces.
Here are just a few famous sauces: French bechamel, tartar, Italian pesto, Georgian tkemali.
Energy value gravy
As is customary, gravies have a low calorie content of the order of 60 ÷ 70 kilocalories. The content of proteins and fats is approximately equal - 5-8 grams, slightly less carbohydrates - 5 grams. Pork gravy can be considered an exception, it is more high-calorie.
So, gravy is considered to be dietary products. Although the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates can vary depending on the preferences of the hostess.
The benefits and harms of gravy
Benefit
From time immemorial, a person knows not only about the taste properties of gravy, but also about useful ones.
For example, traditional medicine in Asia uses the positive properties of chili sauce. It contains biologically active substances that help normalize digestion and have antiseptic properties.
The benefits of gravy are manifested individually. But most often, the gravy contains a certain amount of natural compounds and vitamins that have a beneficial effect on the human body.
Harm
It should also be noted that gravy can also have a negative effect on the body. This is due to the excessive use of gravies and sauces, including spicy types. There is a possibility of harm to the gastrointestinal tract, and individual intolerance to a specific component of the gravy may also occur.
In this regard, one should be careful about the choice of ingredients and the method of making gravies and sauces at home.
If you follow all the rules of the recipe, you will get an unforgettable taste and benefit your body.
Today we will tell you how easy it is to prepare delicious and simple gravies from various ingredients available to the hostess in every home.
Creamy chicken and mushroom sauce
In such a dish, all the ingredients are very well chosen. Together they create a light, delicate and unique taste for any occasion, be it lunch or dinner.
Any mushrooms are taken for cooking. An important nuance - it is better to take high-quality cream, in this case the gravy will turn out to be very tender, rich.
For cooking you will need: chicken fillet - about 300 g, 100 g of champignons or other mushrooms, one onion, 250 ml of cream, 50 grams of butter for frying, one tablespoon of flour, salt, spices to taste.
Having prepared all the products, you can start preparing the dish.
Any fillet is taken - both from the breast and from the legs, the main thing is to remove the skin.
While the butter is melted in a saucepan with thick walls or in a cauldron, cut the fillets into medium slices. Fillet is fried for 10 minutes, stirring, so that the meat is evenly fried.
Finely chop the mushrooms and add to the chicken. Cut the onion into quarters there. Simmer for 15 minutes, then add flour, mixing the ingredients thoroughly.
And the final stage - add seasonings - salt and pepper to taste, pour in cream. At the same time, one condition is observed: we no longer cook the future gravy, but warm it up for 5-7 minutes.
The dish is ready!
Light, aromatic and interesting gravy can be served with various side dishes, such as rice or mashed potatoes.
Chicken in a creamy sauce
The best way to cook the chicken is to cut it into small pieces like for goulash.
In addition to cooking in a pan, this recipe is also successfully performed in the oven.
This dish is in perfect harmony with classic porridge, various types of potatoes, pasta and other side dishes.
Required ingredients: 2 tablespoons of flour, about 0.5 kg of chicken fillet, a glass of cream, one onion, vegetable oil for frying, butter, seasonings and spices for poultry, salt, herbs.
Wash the meat, dry with a napkin, cut into cubes as for goulash, sprinkle with pepper, salt and seasonings. The onion is finely chopped and fried in vegetable oil until golden brown. The onion is removed and chicken meat is fried in the same oil in a pan. Next, you need to extinguish the fire, return the onion to the pan, add flour, mix, pour in cream. Stir well so that there are no lumps, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. At the end, remove from heat, add butter and herbs.
The dish is ready! The recipe is very easy and simple to prepare, and most importantly, it has an interesting and good taste. Combined with your favorite side dishes, this method of serving gravy can turn an ordinary home meal into a real treat.
Chicken pasta with creamy sauce
Most dishes take a significant amount of time to prepare. The Italian pasta recipe is one of the quickest to make. Pasta is simple pieces of dough, and the sauce is the determining factor in its taste.
If you apply diligence and imagination, then the pasta in the sauce will turn out to be incomparable. It doesn't matter what kind of pasta: be it fafalle or penne, or you cook ordinary spaghetti, it will be worthy.
It takes about an hour to prepare two servings.
Required ingredients: a package of pasta (250 grams), four chicken drumsticks, one onion, 50 ml cream and 50 grams of butter, parsley and some grated Parmesan cheese, salt and spices to taste.
Prepare chicken - wash and peel, remove from bone and chop into pieces. Here's a little trick: this dish works best with a long and wide pasta, especially with an egg one, as it will well contain the thick consistency of the creamy sauce.
Heat butter in a frying pan and cut the onion into strips and fry it. Add prepared meat there, season with pepper and salt. Sprinkle a little with nutmeg. After frying for about 10 minutes, add flour and mix thoroughly. Next, cream at room temperature is poured in small portions until the consistency of sour cream. The pan is covered with a lid and stewed for another 3-4 minutes.
The pasta is boiled according to the instructions on the package, folded back in a colander and mixed with the sauce.
As a finish, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and chopped herbs. The dish can be served at the table.
It is best to use this pasta hot, as sauce and cheese can stick together when they cool.
This step-by-step cooking recipe will surprise you with its simplicity and classic creamy taste. It can be either a light breakfast or a good dinner.
