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Last night while out for dinner with my Dad we were chatting about his new apartment and life in the city, when he reminded me that I forgot to send him a recipe for a white sauce to make his favorite seafood pasta. After apologizing, and to be honest I don’t even remember the request, I told him I would write one out for him when we got home. To which he informed me that it was okay as he googled a recipe and it wasn’t too bad.. I then made the mistake of asking about the sauce.

Before I continue my story I suggest anyone with a weak foodie stomach stop reading…

Dad’s white seafood sauce consisted of mayo (he only had miracle whip which wasn’t so bad apparently) and whole milk and a third mystery ingredient he couldn’t remember. I was in utter disbelief! Mayo – cream sauce – and some one actually posted this recipe online!?! And the fact he included miracle whip, which is my LEAST favourite condiment ever – I almost had to stop eating. I could feel and taste the yuckiness of this sauce in my month. Yes I know yuckiness is not a real word, but it needs to be in this instance.

Bless him though he was so proud of his ability to google and produce this sauce for homemade seafood pasta. I had to keep thinking neutral expression, neutral expression – just nod and say well done. SMILE.

Growing up my Dad never cooked with the exception of burning bologna and kraft dinner occasionaly, my Mom did it all and did it very well, so he had no reason to cook. So it is impressive in his later in life bachelorhood that he is attempting to cook more for himself. Truthfully with the exception of this mayo seafood pasta disaster he actually isn’t all that bad. Makes a great seafood chowder, is pretty good at BBQ’ing, and does a good ceasar salad. This paragraph really sums up my east coast roots (bologna, seafood chowder, oh my!) 🙂

I couldn’t help myself I had to google this mayo cream sauce and shock and horror it does in fact exist. It must be some awful idea from Kraft to push the sale of miracle whip!

This morning I wrote up an easy white sauce recipe to send my Dad home with, including lots of options and variations so hopefully the mayo sauce won’t reappear.

And if you are still wondering what the third ingredient was, he remembered… Cheese Whiz… I told you this is for sure some Kraft recipe creation.

Disclaimer: I apologize to any mayo sauce loving readers out there who have been offended by this post.

Dad’s White Sauce

2 garlic cloves minced (or a small shallot)

1/2 cup of white wine (or chicken stock)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 heavy cream (or milk)

Herbs such as parsley, tarragon

Salt and pepper

  1. Heat oil and butter in skillet over medium heat, once hot add garlic or shallot, allow to cook for 3-4 minutes (careful not to burn).
  2. Add wine (or stock) and reduce by half.
  3. Reduce heat to low, if you have herbs add in now (if you don’t that’s okay too)
  4. Add cream and allow to simmer to reduce.
  5. Check seasoning and add salt and pepper.
  6. Mix with your pasta and seafood of choice. Enjoy!

Note: If you are cooking your seafood, add in after step 2 and allow to cook before proceeding.