How to Make Pancetta Reduction - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's nothing quite like a rich, savory pancetta reduction to take your culinary creations to the next level. This delicious and versatile sauce has a deep, complex flavor that adds depth and richness to a wide variety of dishes.

Pancetta, an Italian-style bacon made from pork belly, is the star ingredient in this reduction. It's cured with salt and spices, then rolled and dry-cured for several months, resulting in a flavorful and slightly salty meat that is perfect for adding depth...

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Ingredients

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (such as Kerrygold®, divided
  • 8 ounces pancetta bacon, diced
  • 1 small sweet onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 (3 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups Merlot wine

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 2 cups

  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir pancetta in melted butter until crisp, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towel to drain.
  • Stir onion and garlic into the pancetta drippings in the skillet; season with salt. Cook and stir until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir tomato paste with the onion mixture until smooth; season with oregano, turmeric, curry powder, herbes de Provence, and black pepper.
  • Pour Merlot wine over the mixture and stir; bring to a full simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until the volume of the liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Melt remaining butter into the sauce; stir.
  • Pour the reduced mixture into a blender; add the reserved pancetta and blend until smooth.
  • Nutrition

    168 cal.

    • Total Fat: 10g
    • Saturated Fat: 5g
    • Cholesterol: 25mg
    • Sodium: 299mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 6g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 2g
    • Protein: 4g
    • Vitamin C: 4mg
    • Calcium: 25mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 275mg