This is almost exactly what I was looking for - a simple basic cream
and/or sour cream sauce that I could vary with other ingredients. I
knew it would have to have onion and garlic - or at least garlic at
any rate - and as a base this sauce seems to me to provide a number of
variations.

I guess one could simply stir-fry sliced mushrooms with the onion and
garlic for a funghi type sauce? And then I rather like sun-dried or
slow oven roasted tomatoes - so they could be added instead of the
mushrooms but with the tomato paste?

So many recipes are complicated when in reality the answer is simple.
It was the simple that evaded me. So thanks.


>This works well by itself over Fettuccini, or you can sauté a few shrimp
>and mix with the Fettuccini and put the sauce over the top. There are
>almost endless variations by changing the spices slightly. For an Alfredo
>Variation leave the fennel out and add a couple of tablespoons of Freshly
>grated Parmesan, or a little grated fresh ginger with pork or chicken. You
>can add a tablespoon or two of tomato paste for a creamy tomato sauce. I
>have even warmed the leftover sauce in the morning, and added a little
>lemon juice for an ersatz Hollandaise to put over eggs.
>
>Sauté in butter about a teaspoon of finally minced onion and half a
>teaspoon of finally minced garlic 30 to 60 seconds or until the onion is
>translucent.
>Add 1/2 to a full cup of heavy cream.
>Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds
>Add 1 teaspoon of fresh parsley
>Salt and pepper to taste
>Boil down rapidly stirring from time to time until it is the desired
>thickness approx 5 minutes
>
>JakeInHartsel
>
>
>Sauté in butter about a teaspoon of finally minced onion and half a
>teaspoon of finally minced garlic 30 to 60 seconds or until onion is
>translucent.
>Add 1/2 to a full cup of heavy cream.
>Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds
>Add 1 teaspoon of fresh parsley
>Salt and pepper to taste
>Boil down rapidly stirring from time to time until it is the desired
>thickness approx 5 minutes.
>
>JakeInHartsel

Daisy