- 4 tbsp butter
- 1lb (450g) small shallots, trimmed and peeled
- 1¼ cups red wine, such as Pinot Noir
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 thyme sprig
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt
- Prepare ahead
- The shallots can be cooked a few hours in advance, and gently reheated before serving.
- Melt 2 tbsp of the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes, until golden.
- Add the red wine, vinegar, sugar, thyme, and bay leaf, and season with salt. Partially cover and simmer over a low heat for 30 minutes, or until tender.
- Transfer the shallots to a serving bowl, using a slotted spoon. Increase the heat to high and boil the cooking liquid until syrupy. Remove from the heat and whisk in the remaining butter.
- Discard the bay leaf and thyme sprig, and pour the sauce over the shallots; serve immediately.