Roasted Vegetable Gravy

Directions

Melt butter in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, then add flour and cook roux, stirring, until pale golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add stock in a stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, and bring to a boil, whisking. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper.

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Roasted Vegetable Stock

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3/4 Lb Mushrooms, Halved (There Is More Flavor From Meatier Type Mushrooms)

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1/2 Lb Onions (6 Small Or 4 Medium), Left Unpeeled,Then Quartered

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1/2 Lb Carrots (3 Medium), Cut Into 1-Inch Pieces

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1 Red Bell Pepper, Cut Into 1-Inch Pieces

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2 Garlic Cloves, Coarsely Chopped

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4 fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs (including long stems)

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3 Fresh Thyme Sprigs (Or 1 Tbsp Dried Thyme)

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1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

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1/2 Cup Dry White Wine

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1 California Bay Leaf

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1/2 Cup Canned Crushed Tomatoes

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1 Quart Water

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3/4 Teaspoon Salt

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Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425F.

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Toss together mushrooms, shallots, carrots, bell pepper, garlic, parsley and thyme sprigs, and oil in a flameproof roasting pan. Roast, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are golden, 35 to 40 minutes.

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Transfer vegetables with a slotted spoon to a 4-quart saucepan. Straddle roasting pan across 2 burners, then add wine and deglaze pan by boiling over moderate heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to saucepan and add bay leaf, tomatoes, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes. Pour stock through a large fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on and then discarding solids.

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Makes about 3 1/2 cups.

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