Melding

[OldSmoke]

I just made a batch of bourbon bbq sauce for the pulled pork dinner tomorrow. I have learned, to make dishes like pasta sauces, bbq sauces, chili, etc, a day or two before serving to allow the flavors to meld. After at least overnight, the sauces get much richer and complex. Foe example, the Amatriciana tomato sauce was a bit disappointing the night I made it. By the next day it was spot on. Most of my recipes are now organized to start a day or two in advance of serving due to this.

What happens during the melding process to cause sauces to get richer?

 

[BandCollector]

Magic?

 

[JLeonard]

Magic?

Bout the best answer I can come up with too. It is sure enough magical the next day how the flavors meld together.

Jim

 

[02ebz06]

Actually, it's a very complex process, microscopic collection of magic.
Doh, this thread is going south fast.

 

[zwiller]

Miss Chef Jimmy J for this sort of thing... My stab at it is that it's oxidation and that it mellows and mutes things. Gas off might be another term for it. Totally agree on the effect and pretty much all my stuff is done WELL in advance.

 

[Fueling Around]

Some spices are water soluble, but the most are oil (fat) soluble.
Just takes time to flavor release.

 

[BandCollector]

Actually, it's a very complex process, microscopic collection of magic.
Doh, this thread is going south fast.

LOL!

 

[OldSmoke]

Actually, it's a very complex process, microscopic collection of magic.
Doh, this thread is going south fast.

You are correct! Here is a link with the details:

There's a Reason Chili is So Much Better the Next Day

Here's how you can add a little extra spark on day two or three.

tastecooking.com

 

[OldSmoke]

Miss Chef Jimmy J for this sort of thing...

My first thought. He was one of the folks that makes this community so great. It is so unusual in life to encounter someone so knowledgeable and so willing to share.

 

[zwiller]

My first thought. He was one of the folks that makes this community so great. It is so unusual in life to encounter someone so knowledgeable and so willing to share.

Oh man so happy I DM'd him. I ran TONS of stuff by him. Learned ALOT. I am eternally grateful. His recipe stash is huge and INSANE. It's like a dozen pro cookbooks all online and free.

Back on the melding, while I enjoy geeking out at times and learning how stuff works, there also times I simply do not care HOW it works as long as it does, and melding does.