Description
Jamie Oliver’s Veggie Gravy is a savory, meat-free gravy made from vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, combined with fresh herbs and vegetable stock. It’s cooked down to a thick, luscious gravy that’s perfect for serving alongside vegetarian or vegan roasts, mashed potatoes, or pies.
Ingredients
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- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery sticks, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Marmite (optional, for umami flavor)
- 500ml (2 cups) vegetable stock
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional, for extra depth)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
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Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 10-12 minutes until softened and caramelized. The caramelization adds a rich depth of flavor to the gravy.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to combine. Cook the flour for 2-3 minutes to get rid of the raw taste.
Add the tomato paste and Marmite (if using) to the pan and stir to coat the vegetables. These ingredients will boost the umami flavor of the gravy, making it rich and savory.
Gradually pour in the vegetable stock while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Add the fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaf, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let the gravy cook gently for about 15-20 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop deep flavors.
Once the gravy has thickened and the flavors have melded, remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. For a smooth consistency, strain the gravy through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pan or bowl, pressing down on the vegetables to extract all the liquid. Discard the vegetables, or keep them for another use (like a soup base).
Taste the gravy and season with salt, pepper, and soy sauce (if using) for extra depth. If the gravy is too thick, add a splash of water or more vegetable stock to loosen it. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.