I need help with gravy ...

Cooking Discussions Cooking, Cookbooks, Ingredients
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At House of Prime Rib in SF they have au jus for the prime rib and a rich, dark brown gravy for the sublime mashed potatoes. Does anyone know how they get that wonderful dark brown color? I’ve tried Bisto but that doesn’t do it.

The other day I tried a recipe using Wondra and the juices from a roasted chicken. I was using a new OXO fat separator, pushed the button to release the rich juice part. Then I was going to use the chicken fat part along with some butter to make a roux. I unscrewed the top, not realizing it would release the thingie plugging the bottom hole … spilled grease on edge of sink and kitchen hardwood floor.

After cleaning up that mess, I just used butter. Gravy tasted good with roasted chicken juices and all but wasn’t a nice dark brown color.

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2

I’ve never used it but maybe Kitchen Bouquet? It’s been around for years.

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I’ve used Kitchen Bonquet, a little goes a long way.

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4

Maggi?

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5

None of my relatives ever used Kitchen Bouquet … I just looked it up and I think maybe this is the secret to HOPR luscious dark brown gravy.

I’m going to do a test run.

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Sounds like red meat (beef) drippings and fond, dark roux, demi glace, or some combination thereof,

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7

I’ve used Gravy Master since forever - same ‘idea’ - as I understand it is simply a well caramelized sugar base.

obviously, the gravy has to taste right, but then . .
instant color!

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8

Maggi and soy sauce both work but KB is more predictable, use way less. Gravy Master looks similar to KB but i’ve never tried it. You could make a dark roux like gumbo but that’s work. BTW, some people use both chicken and beef stock for brown gravy.

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9

I love a dash of maggi for extra umami in beef marinades or steak sauces.

10

You need to make prime rib, like they do.

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11

Which is better … Gravy Master or Kitchen Bouquet?

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Gravy Master ingredients: Caramelized Sugar, Caramel Color, Water, Hydrolyzed Soy & Com Protein, Apple Cider Vinegar, Salt, Spices (Onion, Celery, Parsley And Garlic)

Kitchen Bouquet ingredients: Caramel Color (Sulfites), Water, Vegetable Base (Water, Carrots, Celery, Cabbage, Onion, Parsley, Turnips, Parsnips), Less Than 2% Of: Spices, Salt, Sodium Benzoate Added to Preserve Freshness.

Gravy Master has a more distinct umami / savory flavor, Kitchen Bouquet is more vegetal.

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I wonder if HOPR uses either of these.

14

You can call or message them and ask about gravy ingredients — they will probably tell you if it’s an allergen-related question.

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15

Growing up, we always had this in the cupboard.
Doesn’t seem to be widely distributed anymore.

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16

Since you haven’t mentioned any food allergies, I think calling/emailing about ingredients is sneaky/poor form.

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I wouldn’t pretend an allergy but asking if they’d mind saying how they get that great, dark color should be fine. Maybe they’ll say and maybe they won’t but no harm in asking.

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Only one way to find out I guess.,

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only ever used Gravy Master - so no can say . . .

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I will confess to always having a bottle of Kitchen Bouquet in the cabinet. For the color.

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