Welcome, lovers of good food! Today we delve into the world of Uruguayan gastronomy to discover the secrets of the famous Caruso Sauce, an emblematic sauce of the Latin American country, which is very popular as the one chosen to accompany the famous capeletis alla Caruso.
On this occasion, we're going to tell you everything you need to know about this sauce named after the Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. We'll explain why it's called that, who created it, and what's so special about it .
At the end of this post, you'll find the recipe for Caruso sauce, which you can make at home and enjoy with some delicious pasta . Once you make it, let me know in this post what you thought and if you'd make it again. Shall we get started?
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About Caruso sauce
Caruso sauce is a unique culinary creation that combines the rich flavors of Italian cuisine with a distinctive Uruguayan touch . Known for its creamy texture and intense flavor, this sauce has become a classic accompaniment to pasta in Uruguay .
Its base consists of a mixture of carefully selected ingredients, with cream, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, ham, and a touch of meat extract playing the starring roles . The combination of these elements results in an exquisite and very easy-to-make sauce that pairs perfectly with noodles or stuffed pasta.
Some features that you probably didn't know about the Caruso sauce recipe
- Creaminess : Caruso sauce is distinguished by its smooth and creamy texture that glides delicately over any pasta, creating a unique sensory experience.
- Intense and balanced flavor : The combination of cheese and ham provides flavor and texture, generating intense sensations in every bite.
- Versatility : In addition to being the ideal companion for pasta, this sauce can also enhance the flavor of chicken, meat, and fish.
- Easy to prepare : Despite its sophisticated flavor, Caruso sauce is surprisingly easy to prepare, allowing even novice cooks to enjoy this delicacy at home.
- Suitable for all occasions : Whether it's a casual family meal or a special celebration, this sauce elevates any dish with its presence.
The easiest way to make the Uruguayan Caruso sauce recipe
The first thing to do to prepare the Uruguayan Caruso sauce recipe is to gather the sauce ingredients and decide what dish you'll be serving it on. Preparing it is very simple. First, sauté the onion and mushrooms in butter .
Then, add the cream and milk, along with a little flour (because its consistency is similar to white sauce), grated cheese, ham, and the special touch of meat extract. Once it's thickened, it can be used to complement the desired dish.
The great thing about this sauce is that it can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. This way, in just a few steps, you can have a delicious pasta dish with Caruso sauce ready in just minutes.
Why is it called Caruso sauce and why is it traditional in Uruguay?
Caruso sauce, with its evocative name, pays homage to the illustrious Italian tenor Enrico Caruso , who visited Uruguay in the 1920s. However, Caruso sauce was not created until 1954 by an Italian chef based in Montevideo, as a way of honoring the tenor , of whom he was a great admirer.
This gesture is a true reflection of the strong influence of the Italian community that settled in Uruguay between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Just as typical Italian dishes such as fainá , pastafrola , and tiramisu , Caruso sauce managed to fuse local ingredients with the traditions of the immigrants.
Origin of the Caruso sauce recipe
Caruso sauce has its roots in Italian cuisine and the creativity of a chef from the Piedmont region, Raimondo Monti, who lived in the Uruguayan capital and was in charge of the kitchen at the restaurant "Mario y Alberto ." Its invention was attributed to the need to offer diners a new experience that went beyond conventional recipes.
Over time, Monti's recipe became popular and became a Uruguayan trademark, passed down from generation to generation, maintaining its essence and conquering new palates each time.
The best pasta for Caruso sauce: “Capeleti alla Caruso”
The restaurant where Caruso sauce was created specialized in stuffed pastas such as ravioli, capeletis, and yearlings. While the sauce is a delicious complement to various types of pasta, the chef who invented it first served it with capeletis, making it the restaurant's specialty dish, "capeletis a la Caruso," which would become emblematic of Uruguayan cuisine.
Also very popular are Caruso ravioli, a favorite choice for their ability to absorb and enhance the flavors of the sauce. The combination of the softness of the stuffed pasta with the creaminess of the Caruso sauce is simply irresistible.
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Caruso sauce recipe
Yield : 4 portions
Preparation : 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 200g cooked ham, cut into small cubes
- 200 g sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup of milk cream
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1 tablespoon of flour
- 1 teaspoon of meat extract
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
How to make Caruso sauce step by step
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent.
- Add the mushrooms to the mixture and cook for a few minutes. Stir in the tablespoon of flour.
- Pour the cream and milk into the pan, stirring well to combine all the ingredients.
- Add the meat extract and continue stirring to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly. Adjust the consistency with more milk if necessary.
- Add the cooked ham and grated cheese, cooking for a few minutes until the cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency and the flavors have blended, remove the pan from the heat and serve the sauce with your chosen pasta.
