Step 5: Reduce

After you've added seasonings, cook the mixture for a few minutes until it has reduced into a sauce with the consistency you desire. Most recipes specify how long to reduce, and how much sauce it should yield. Pour the sauce into a measuring cup to be sure that it has reduced enough. After removing from heat, you can finish some sauces by stirring in a touch of cream.

Try it! Practice this technique with the following 8 recipes:

• Chicken with Cider and Bacon Sauce
• Chicken with Provençal Sauce
• Thai Fish Sauce and Lime Chicken
• Chicken with Goat Cheese Sauce
• Mexican Chicken with Almond-Chile Cream
• Pollo con Mojo de Ajo
• Chicken with Barbecue-Bourbon Sauce
• Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce