How to Make Ajus: The Perfect Sauce for Your Roast Beef

If you’re a meat lover, you’ll know that Ajus is an essential part of many dishes. It is a tasty broth made from the juices of the meat cooked, and it is used as a dipping sauce or a base for many sauces. Making Ajus at home is a simple and easy process, and it will elevate any dish to the next level. This article will guide you through the process of making Ajus in a simple and concise manner.

To make Ajus, there are two essential ingredients needed: meat and water. The meat used for Ajus can include beef, pork, or chicken, but using roasted beef bones will yield the best flavor. The bones provide a rich and savory taste to the broth. The next step is to add water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, lower the heat, and let it simmer for at least three hours. The longer you let it simmer, the more flavorful it will be. Ajus can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for longer storage. In the next paragraphs, we’ll delve a little deeper into the process of making Ajus.

The Art of Making Delicious Ajus

Ajus, also known as meat jus, is a flavorful reduction sauce that accompanies various meat dishes. Ajus can easily add more depth, richness and flavor to your meals. Making ajus is an art, but it’s not hard to master. Here’s everything you need to know about making delicious ajus:

Gather Your Ingredients

Before you start making ajus, gather all the required ingredients. The essential ingredients for ajus include:

– Meat bones or scraps
– Water or chicken/beef broth
– Shallots or onions
– Garlic
– Thyme
– Bay leaves
– Black peppercorns
– Red wine (optional)

Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Arrange the meat bones or scraps on a roasting pan and place them in the oven. Roast them for about an hour or until they have browned evenly.

Cook the Aromatics

In a large saucepan, sauté the chopped onions and garlic in a little oil until they are soft and fragrant. Add thyme, bay leaves, black peppercorns, and the roasted bones to the saucepan.

Add Water Or Broth

Add enough water or broth to the saucepan, just enough to completely cover the bones. Bring it to a boil and scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan.

Simmer the Mixture

Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for at least an hour. Keep an eye on the level of the mixture to ensure it doesn’t evaporate completely.

Skim the Fat

After an hour has passed, use a spoon or ladle to skim the fat and impurities off the surface of the mixture. You may need to repeat this several times.

Strain the Mixture

Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any remaining solids and impurities, leaving behind a smooth sauce. Press on the solids with a ladle or spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.

Add Flavorings (Optional)

To add more flavor to your ajus, add a splash of red wine or soy sauce, to taste.

Reduce the Ajus

Simmer the sauce again until it reduces to your desired thickness. The longer you let it cook, the more concentrated the flavors will be.

Enjoy Your Ajus

Drizzle the finishing ajus over your favorite meat dish. Store any unused ajus in the fridge or freezer for future use.

Making ajus is an art, but it’s not hard to master. With these simple steps, you can enjoy the delicious and flavorful sauce in your dish in no time. Experiment with different flavors and customize your ajus to suit your taste buds. Make every meal special by adding a touch of flavor and depth with a perfect ajus.

The Ingredients You Will Need

To make a delicious ajus, you will need the right ingredients. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

1. Beef broth or beef stock: The primary ingredient of ajus is beef broth or beef stock. You can make it at home or buy it from the grocery store.

2. Beef bones: Beef bones are essential in making beef broth or stock. The bones give flavor to the broth and provide essential nutrients such as collagen, calcium, and magnesium.

3. Onions, carrots, and celery: These three vegetables are commonly used in beef broth to give it a more flavorful taste.

4. Garlic cloves: Garlic is another ingredient that can bring out the flavor of beef broth.

5. Thyme and rosemary: These herbs add subtle flavors to the broth that make ajus more flavorful.

6. Bay leaves: Bay leaves are commonly used in soups and stews for their aromatic qualities.

7. Salt and pepper: Adding salt and pepper to the broth will enhance the flavors and provide an extra kick.

8. Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used to thicken the ajus and give it a more velvety texture.

9. Water: Water is necessary to dilute the beef broth or stock.

10. Red wine: Adding wine to the ajus can give it a more complex flavor.

Now that you have all the ingredients, it’s time to start cooking!

How to Thicken Ajus

Ajus is a savory and rich sauce, usually served with beef dishes. However, sometimes it comes out too thin or watery. Luckily, there are a few ways to thicken it up.

Cornstarch

One of the easiest ways to thicken ajus is to mix it with cornstarch. To do this, first add about 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to a small bowl. Then, add some of the ajus liquid to the bowl and whisk until fully combined. Pour the mixture back into the ajus pot and stir until it thickens. If it’s still too thin, repeat the process with more cornstarch.

Roux

Another way to thicken ajus is to use roux. To make a roux, melt equal parts flour and butter in a pan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture turns a light brown color. Add the roux to the ajus pot and stir until it thickens.

Reduce

If you don’t want to add any extra ingredients, you can simply reduce the ajus on the stovetop. To do this, simmer the ajus over low heat and stir occasionally. As the liquid evaporates, the ajus will naturally thicken.

Gelatin

Another way to thicken ajus is to use gelatin. First, soften the gelatin in cold water. Then, add it to the ajus pot and whisk until fully combined. As the ajus cools, the gelatin will set and thicken the sauce.

Bread Crumbs

Finally, you can use breadcrumbs to thicken ajus. Simply add breadcrumbs to the ajus pot and stir until fully combined. The breadcrumbs will absorb the liquid and thicken the sauce.

These are just a few methods to thicken ajus. Overall, it’s important to experiment and find the method that works best for you and your dish. Remember, ajus should be thick enough to coat the meat and have a rich flavor. So, choose the best method for you and enjoy your hearty and delicious meal!

Thanks for reading and happy ajus making!

Now that you’ve learned how to make ajus, you can impress your family and friends with your newfound cooking skills. Remember to always use quality ingredients and adjust the seasoning to your taste. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comment section below. Don’t forget to visit us again for more delicious recipes and cooking tips!