Description
This Brick-Red With Basil Butter tomato gravy is a comforting, family-friendly meal, perfect for a busy weekday dinner, known for its rich aroma and vibrant hue.
Ingredients
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes (or 794 g), organic or San Marzano preferred
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth (or 720 ml), low-sodium preferred
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or 16 g), 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (or 56 g), divided, grass-fed preferred, olive oil or vegan butter for dairy-free
- 0.25 cup fresh basil (or 6 g), chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Aromatics: Dice the small yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves.
- Start Roux: Melt 2 tbsp (28g) of butter in a large 10-inch skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Whisk in 2 tbsp (16g) of all-purpose flour until a smooth paste forms. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it smells toasty and looks lightly golden (if dry, splash in 1-2 Tbsp more butter until smooth).
- Saute Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the roux. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, releasing its sweet aroma.
- Build Gravy Base: Slowly whisk in 3 cups (720ml) of chicken or vegetable broth until the mixture is smooth and lump-free, scraping up any delicious bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring it to a gentle simmer, watching for small bubbles to appear.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Stir in the 28 oz (794g) of crushed tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes (can add 5 minutes if thicker is desired). This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the gravy to thicken slightly.
- Finish with Basil Butter: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the remaining 2 tbsp (28g) of cold butter and 0.25 cup (6g) of chopped fresh basil until the butter is completely melted and the gravy looks glossy and vibrant.
- Season and Serve: Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve hot.
Notes
Store fresh basil like a bouquet in a glass of water on the counter. Store canned goods, onions, and garlic in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. For quicker prep, use pre-minced garlic or frozen chopped onion. For a lighter touch, use less butter in the finishing step. To make low-carb, serve over zucchini noodles. If gravy is too thin, simmer uncovered longer; if too thick, add more broth. An immersion blender can smooth out lumps.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.75 cup (180 g)
- Calories: 200 calories
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg