# World Sauces — Mother Sauces

> Brad's reference for mother sauces and foundational bases worldwide — béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, marinara, dark roux, sofrito, curry base, dashi, and more.

### Béchamel
- **Region:** France
- **Key Ingredients:** milk, butter, flour
- **Preparation:** White roux + milk; simmer until thick.
- **Typical Uses:** Lasagna, gratins, Mornay base.

### Velouté
- **Region:** France
- **Key Ingredients:** white stock, butter, flour
- **Preparation:** Blonde roux + white stock; simmer.
- **Typical Uses:** Base for Suprême sauce, soups.

### Espagnole
- **Region:** France
- **Key Ingredients:** brown stock, brown roux, mirepoix, tomato
- **Preparation:** Brown roux + stock + mirepoix; simmer.
- **Typical Uses:** Demi‑glace foundation; braises.

### Tomato Sauce (French)
- **Region:** France
- **Key Ingredients:** tomatoes, pork fat, veg, herbs
- **Preparation:** Render fat, add veg & tomatoes; simmer.
- **Typical Uses:** Pasta, stews, French tomato sauces.

### Hollandaise
- **Region:** France
- **Key Ingredients:** egg yolks, butter, lemon
- **Preparation:** Emulsify butter into yolks over heat.
- **Typical Uses:** Eggs Benedict, Béarnaise base.

### Marinara
- **Region:** Italy
- **Key Ingredients:** tomatoes, garlic, onion, basil, olive oil
- **Preparation:** Sauté aromatics, add tomatoes; simmer.
- **Typical Uses:** Pasta, pizza, parmigiana.

### Dark Roux
- **Region:** USA (Cajun)
- **Key Ingredients:** oil/butter, flour
- **Preparation:** Cook flour in fat to dark chocolate color.
- **Typical Uses:** Gumbo, étouffée.

### Sofrito
- **Region:** Spain/Latin America
- **Key Ingredients:** onion, garlic, pepper, tomato, oil
- **Preparation:** Slow sauté to paste.
- **Typical Uses:** Base for rice, stews, beans.

### Curry Base (Masala)
- **Region:** India
- **Key Ingredients:** onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, spices
- **Preparation:** Cook onions & spices, add tomatoes; reduce.
- **Typical Uses:** All Indian curries.

### Thai Curry Paste
- **Region:** Thailand
- **Key Ingredients:** chilies, lemongrass, garlic, shallot, galangal
- **Preparation:** Pound aromatics to paste.
- **Typical Uses:** Thai curries, soups.

### Gochujang
- **Region:** Korea
- **Key Ingredients:** chili, rice, fermented soy, salt
- **Preparation:** Mix & ferment months.
- **Typical Uses:** Marinades, stews, bibimbap.

### Doenjang
- **Region:** Korea
- **Key Ingredients:** soybeans, salt
- **Preparation:** Ferment soybeans in brine.
- **Typical Uses:** Stews, soups, ssamjang.

### Harissa
- **Region:** North Africa
- **Key Ingredients:** chilies, garlic, oil, spices
- **Preparation:** Blend rehydrated chilies & spices.
- **Typical Uses:** Tagines, couscous.

### Tahini Sauce
- **Region:** Middle East
- **Key Ingredients:** tahini, lemon, garlic, water
- **Preparation:** Whisk tahini with lemon & water.
- **Typical Uses:** Falafel, shawarma.

### Chermoula
- **Region:** North Africa
- **Key Ingredients:** herbs, garlic, cumin, lemon, oil
- **Preparation:** Blend herbs & spices with oil.
- **Typical Uses:** Fish, meat marinade.

### Salsa Verde
- **Region:** Mexico
- **Key Ingredients:** tomatillos, chilies, onion, cilantro
- **Preparation:** Roast/boil tomatillos; blend.
- **Typical Uses:** Tacos, enchiladas.

### Salsa Roja
- **Region:** Mexico
- **Key Ingredients:** dried chilies, tomatoes, garlic, onion
- **Preparation:** Toast chilies; blend with tomatoes.
- **Typical Uses:** Enchiladas, soups.

### Obe Ata
- **Region:** Nigeria
- **Key Ingredients:** tomatoes, peppers, onion, palm oil
- **Preparation:** Blend veg; fry in palm oil.
- **Typical Uses:** Jollof rice, stews.

### Dashi
- **Region:** Japan
- **Key Ingredients:** kombu, bonito flakes
- **Preparation:** Steep kombu, add bonito; strain.
- **Typical Uses:** Soups, simmered dishes.

### Nuoc Cham
- **Region:** Vietnam
- **Key Ingredients:** fish sauce, water, sugar, lime
- **Preparation:** Dissolve sugar; add fish sauce & lime.
- **Typical Uses:** Spring rolls, grilled meats.

### Sambal Oelek
- **Region:** Indonesia
- **Key Ingredients:** red chilies, vinegar, salt
- **Preparation:** Grind chilies with vinegar & salt.
- **Typical Uses:** Condiment for noodles, stir‑fries.

## Details

- **Category:** Cooking
- **Tags:** cooking, mother-sauces, reference, bechamel, veloute, espagnole, hollandaise, marinara, roux, sofrito, curry-base, dashi, gochujang

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