The consistency of rice flour lends itself well to creating silky sauces and gravies. Whether you use it to create a mouthwatering gravy to drizzle over meat entrees or create a decadent dessert, rice flour can mean the difference between fabulous and failure. This gluten-free flour works differently from other flours because it binds and prevents separation of the other ingredients.
Slurry
Substitute rice flour measure for measure for other flours or thickeners, such as cornstarch, in a sauce or gravy recipe.
Make a slurry by blending equal amounts of rice flour and water. Use a whisk to combine thoroughly and eliminate any lumps. Another way to create the slurry is to add hot liquid from the sauce to the rice flour and stir until combined and smooth, then slowly pour the hot slurry into the sauce and stir until thickened.
Stir the slurry slowly into the sauce or gravy to thicken. If the sauce is too thin, add more slurry as needed.
Roux
Melt butter, oil or lard over low heat.
Add an equal amount of rice flour, whisking constantly until it forms a paste and cooks to a light-to-golden brown color.
Pour stock, cream or other liquid into the roux, whisking gently to combine. Raise heat to medium-high stir continuously until the sauce is thickened.
Tips
Sweet rice flour has the same thickening properties, but is used mainly in Asian recipes and for desserts such as pies.