Make-ahead gravy

Make-ahead gravy

Keep this vegetarian gravy in the freezer to pair with meat or veggie sausages for a fuss-free supper

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 6 - 8

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 10 mins

Cook time

Cook 35 mins

Vegetarian Freezable

Vegetarian

Method

  1. Fry the veg and herbs in the butter for 10-12 mins until the vegetables start to brown. Scatter over the sugar and continue to cook until sticky and caramelised. Stir in the flour until sandy, then add the Marmite, if using, tomato purée and vinegar. Pour over the stock, then simmer everything together until you have a thickened sauce. Sieve, then add soy sauce to season and colour. Use straightaway or cool and freeze.

PER SERVING

84 kcalories, protein 2g, carbohydrate 11g, fat 4 g, saturated fat 2g, fibre 2g, sugar 8g, salt 0.66 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, December 2010.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • 05 December 2010

    Scrappydoo rated and commented on this recipe

    3 stars

    Tried this for the first time today and found although a good base the tomato flavour was too prominent for me. Didn't have any marmite so added some mushroom ketchup for extra depth. Would use it again but need to adapt it to suit my taste buds a bit

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  • 16 December 2010

    vegetarian recipes commented on this recipe

    i would use vegemite instead of marmite for a true veggie gravy.

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  • 16 December 2010

    Tillyfloss rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Was worried the gravy would be too tomato-y as it was cooking but was delicious. Enjoyed with Sunday roast (pork) and loads of fluffy mash. A lovely, subtle flavour. Didn't have any fresh thyme so used a teaspoon of dried instead.

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  • 31 December 2010

    debbiemassey rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Absolutely gorgeous. I'd be lost without this fab gravy recipe. Freezes well and goes great with vegetarian shepherds pie

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  • 22 February 2011

    ZeTallGerman rated and commented on this recipe

    1 stars

    Not too keen on this recipe... somehow felt a bit thin and lacking flavour. I recently tried *Jamie Oliver's Get-Ahead Gravy* made by roasting chicken wings, bacon, vegetables and herbs in the oven... well worth the effort and everyone literally lapped it up!

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  • 22 February 2011

    ZeTallGerman commented on this recipe

    Just to add, naturally this is a good attempt for a vegetarian gravy. Jamie Oliver's isn't veg-only, after all.

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  • 04 August 2011

    Tartansanta commented on this recipe

    I don't understand the amount of stock in the list of ingredients. " 1l" Is that 1 stock cube? Or does the mark after 1 mean 1 litre of stock? I feel there is something unclear here but no-one else has flagged this up.

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  • 09 December 2011

    bingybongy commented on this recipe

    Why would you make a vegetarian gravy with chicken or beef stock?!

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  • 13 December 2011

    sunshine commented on this recipe

    I made this gravy on Sunday and it was vile. When you first start eating it doesn't taste too bad, but there is a bad after taste. It might be ok without the tomato purée and the soy sauce, but I won�t be trying it. If you want a good gravy Jamie Oliver has a recipe for a gorgeous �get ahead gravy�.

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  • 15 December 2011

    Dexter rated and commented on this recipe

    1 stars

    I will probably try this again, but without the tomato, which was completely overpowering, and spoiled it. I used it with shepherds pie, but you wouldn't want it anywhere near a Sunday dinner :-(

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  • 23 December 2011

    Stephie_Kay commented on this recipe

    How long did you simmer this for roughly? Im making it at the moment and dont want to take it off the heat yet in case it does get thicker later..

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  • 01 September 2012

    blodyn rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Absolutely love this gravy. I've been looking for an alternative to the horrid veggie granules. I make this regularly and freeze portions. I leave out the tomato purée and it is totally delicious.

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  • 18 December 2012

    Carol E Yorks rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Used just a little tomato puree-added a splash of balsamic vinegar and sherry to taste. Forgot the flour!!-so just thickened with some cornflour at the end. Hope to serve with a nut loaf on Christmas Day along with cranberry sauce-may had some of the cranberry sauce to the gravy as used by Jamie Oliver in his make ahead Turkey Christmas Gravy. Will freeze and reheat on the day.

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  • 24 December 2012

    KimBo commented on this recipe

    Just made this for the veggies at Christmas. It is lovely wish I had not faffed about making Jamie's freeze ahead gravy this is much nicer. Next year only making 1 gravy

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  • 24 December 2012

    KimBo rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo Val

    25 December 2012

    Val rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Beautiful flavoursome gravy. Threw in whatever winter herbs I could find in the garden. Great success!

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  • 18 January 2013

    katebev commented on this recipe

    Really nice. Only problem I have is that I can't get it to thicken! Also really nice for a veggie cottage pie too. Really tasty.

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 6 - 8

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 10 mins

Cook time

Cook 35 mins

Vegetarian Freezable

Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 onion , chopped
  • 2 carrots , finely diced
  • 2 celery sticks, finely chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 large thyme sprig
  • large knob of butter
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • 1 tsp Marmite (optional, but it does add colour and depth)
  • 1 tbsp tomato purée
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1l vegetable, chicken or beef stock (depending on what you're serving it with, or who to)
  • soy sauce , to taste
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PER SERVING

84 kcalories, protein 2g, carbohydrate 11g, fat 4 g, saturated fat 2g, fibre 2g, sugar 8g, salt 0.66 g

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