How do you thicken a brown sauce?

There are a few ways to thicken brown sauce, depending on your desired texture and how much time you have:

Quick Thickening:

* Cornstarch slurry: Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Whisk this slurry into the simmering sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened.

* Flour slurry: Similar to cornstarch, use 1 tablespoon flour to 2 tablespoons cold water. Whisk into the sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes.

* Instant potato flakes: Add 1-2 tablespoons of instant potato flakes to the simmering sauce and whisk until dissolved.

More Complex Options:

* Reduction: Simmer the sauce over low heat, allowing excess liquid to evaporate. This concentrates the flavors and thickens the sauce. This method takes time, but yields the most delicious results.

* Tomato paste: Add a tablespoon or two of tomato paste to the sauce and simmer for a few minutes. The tomato paste will add a deeper flavor and thicken the sauce.

Tips:

* Don't overcook: Overcooked sauces can become gummy.

* Whisk constantly: This prevents lumps from forming.

* Taste and adjust: Add more thickener as needed until you achieve your desired consistency.

Note: Different brown sauces require different amounts of thickener. Start with small amounts and add more as needed.