Bread and Onion Sauce

Serves: 8

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cooking Time: 30 mins

Vegetarian

Planning: Make in advance, refrigerate or freeze (without cream)

Difficulty:  Easy

Dish: Side

Genre: Christmas

Ingredients

• 85g butter
• 2 onions, finely sliced, or grated in food processor
• 2 fresh bay leaves, plus extra to serve
• 600ml whole milk
• 7 cloves, or just add a pinch of ground cloves
• 140g crustless white bread, rub to create crumbs or use food processor
• 142ml pot double cream (optional - if freezing, add before serving)

Method

1. Heat the butter in a pan, add the onions and bay leaves and 2-3 tablespoons water, then gently fry with the lid on for 10 mins until soft, but not coloured.
    
2. Add milk and cloves, then simmer gently, uncovered, for 30 mins, stirring occasionally.
    
3. Remove bay and cloves.  If you prefer a smooth texture, you can then tip everything into a processor and blitz with two thirds of the bread until smooth.  This can then be covered and CHILLED FOR UP TO TWO DAYS. 
    
4. We prefer the texture, so I choose not to blitz, but just add the bread, stir, adjust seasoning. 
   
5. If you wish to add the double cream, warm this in a pan and then add the sauce and stir until mixed. 
    
6. You can adjust the texture with either adding more bread or milk until it reaches your desired consistency. 
   
7. Serve warm.