Deglaze

Deglaze is a cooking technique used to remove and dissolve browned food residue from a pan to flavor sauces, soups, and gravies. This residue, known as fond, is created by the Maillard reaction and caramelization during the sautéing or roasting process.

Process

To deglaze a pan, a liquid such as stock, wine, vinegar, or even water is added to the hot pan. The liquid helps to loosen the fond from the bottom of the pan. The cook then uses a spatula or a wooden spoon to scrape the fond off the pan's surface, incorporating it into the liquid to create a flavorful base for a sauce or gravy.

Common Liquids Used

• Wine: Both red and white wine can be used, depending on the desired flavor profile.
• Stock: Chicken, beef, vegetable, or other types of stock can be used.
• Vinegar: Adds a tangy flavor and can be used in small amounts.
• Water: A neutral option that will not alter the flavor significantly.

Applications

Deglazing is commonly used in the preparation of:

• Pan sauces
• Gravy
• Soup bases
• Stews

Related Techniques

• Sautéing
• Roasting
• Braising
• Caramelization
• Maillard reaction

See Also

• Fond (cooking)
• Sautéing
• Roasting
• Braising
• Caramelization
• Maillard reaction