While it is among the most basic things to do in life, cooking is no less than an art. Whether for a home cook or a restaurant chef, there is no greater satisfaction than a well-made dish.

A perfectly-balanced all purpose sauce can bring together a dish like no other. It enhances flavor, improves textures, and boosts the overall look of the dish.

While there are innumerable sauces that cooks recommend, there are a couple that everyone must try at least once. Following is a list of these delectable sauces that can bolster a dish.

1. Hollandaise

The incredibly popular Hollandaise sauce is traditionally made using the double boiler method. In this method, a saucepan or a heat-proof bowl is placed over simmering water. Egg yolks are whisked in the bowl along with lemon or some other acidic ingredient, and melted butter is slowly added to it. While the simmering water gently cooks the yolks, the butter adds a stunning velvety texture to the sauce. But you must take extra precautions not to overcook the egg yolks, or it could split the sauce.

2. Béchamel

Used widely in French cuisine, Béchamel is another classic sauce. While the sauce itself may not have much flavor, it serves as a base for several dishes. It starts with a roux, followed by a thickener made by whisking silky melted butter with flour. For a lighter Béchamel sauce, whisk in milk and leave the sauce on simmer to thicken it. Season the sauce with the usual pepper and salt. You can also add a dash of freshly grated nutmeg if you wish to.

3. Chimichurri

Chimichurri is an incredible all purpose sauce for folks who love herbaceous cooking. The major components of the sauce are olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, garlic, minced shallots, and herbs. But the best part of making this sauce is that you can use whatever herbs available. A popular version of the sauce includes a mix of mint, cilantro, and parsley. You can add crushed red pepper or minced chili for extra heat.

4. Romesco

The pungent Catalan sauce tastes amazing with anything from humble fried potatoes to elegantly cooked seafood. The primary ingredients of the sauce include vinegar, fried garlic, dried chili, pulverized bread, tomatoes, and roasted nuts. The result is a spicy, creamy, and smoky sauce that goes well with anything. You can additionally use it as a dip or smear it on a sandwich. You can avoid overprocessing if you prefer a few chunky bits of nuts in the sauce.

5. Pomodoro

Pomodoro is among the easiest all purpose sauces for home cooks to make. To make the sauce, all you need to do is simmer crushed tomatoes in a saucepan until they thicken and form a deep red color. You can season the sauce with salt, garlic, and olive oil and add it to a simple pasta dish or a meat extravaganza. You can add capers, anchovies, or red peppers to the sauce.

6. BBQ Sauce

The smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet taste of the all purpose BBQ sauce adds an incredible taste to dishes. But it is a misconception that this sauce is meant solely for meat. You can add it to baked beans or have it as a pizza topping as well. To make a simple version of the sauce, all you need is tomato sauce and paste, honey, molasses, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, and spices. And if you like your BBQ sauce with a kick, you could even add a pinch of this indian hot sauce to bring the heat.

You can try making any of these incredible sauces at home to add that extra zing to your food. However, that may not be an easy task for everyone to do. So, it’s a lot easier just to buy them these days as they are affordable and available widely.