A baste is a liquid that is brushed onto foods during cooking. It is especially useful when foods are exposed to high temperatures, as in roasting, grilling, and broiling. The simplest bastes to brush on are pan drippings, but anything that moistens can be used. Bastes should contain a good proportion of fat. Oil, butter, and drippings keep surfaces from drying out while contributing to a handsome, browned finish. Seasonings add interest to a baste but are not necessary if surfaces have been seasoned before cooking. Avoid adding sweet ingredients (honey, sugar, fruit juice), since sugars scorch easily and may burn before the food is cooked.
Sweet ingredients do, however, belong in a glaze. A glaze is a liquid that adds luster and gloss to foods while cooking. The sheen comes from some form of melted sugar. Depending on the heat of the oven, the sweetness of the sauce, and the size of the piece of meat, apply a glaze during the last 15 to 45 minutes of cooking. A big ham, for instance, should be glazed during the last 45 minutes of baking. Glazes should be thick enough to paint on a surface without dripping. A quick final coating of glaze is often brushed on just before the food is served, and glazes can be passed as dipping sauces at the table. In addition to being sweet, glazes are typically fruity and/or spicy.
Barbecue sauces can be tomato-based or made with a variety of other ingredients. Although purists maintain that the only true barbecue is made with a dry spice rub, many prefer to add deep spicy flavor with a sauce. A form of glaze, barbecue sauce should be applied when you would a glazeΓÇöjudging by the oven temperature, the sweetness of the sauce, and the size of the food. A nonsweet sauce can be brushed on from start to finish. Be sure to serve extra barbecue sauce at the table.
orange-pineapple-chipotle baste
vermouth baste
southwestern apricot glaze
orange molasses glaze
brown sugar glaze for baked ham and roasted poultry
cranberry glazes for baked ham and roasted poultry
marmalade glazes for baked ham and roasted poultry
mustard glazes for baked ham and roasted poultry
pineapple glazes for baked ham and roasted poultry
