Have you ever wanted some delicious gravy but didn’t have any drippings and didn’t want to use a store bought gravy or package? Well after trying this recipe you may never use drippings again.  This is so delicious with caramelized onion it will put any old gravy to shame.  whip some up and keep handy for anytime, or impress your guests at Christmas time.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, halved and sliced thin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth divided
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or more to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions

1. Pour olive oil into a large saucepan over medium-low heat, add onion and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are vey soft, golden brown and caramelized, approx. 40 minutes. If onions start to burn lower the heat. Once cooked, stir in 2 cups of the vegetable broth. Set mixture aside and allow to cool to room temperature. When cool, pour onion mixture into blender or a food processor fitted with s-blade, Puree until smooth. Set aside.
2. use same saucepan place back on the burner over medium heat. Add butter, heat until melted. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Stir in thyme. Slowly drizzle in remaining 2 cups vegetable broth, stirring constantly with a whisk. Stir in the Soy sauce, bay leaf and the pureed onion mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a boil. Let boil, stirring constantly, until it has thickened slightly, about 3-4  minutes.
3. Remove from heat, discard bay leaf. Stir in balsamic vinegar. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.

For all of you who do choose to do a gravy made from drippings, a tip for you for making smooth, no lump gravy is to use corn starch. place into a cup with a lid along with some water and shake vigorously prior to slowly pouring into boiling gravy , stir constantly until thickened.