Red Seal Cook Practice Exam

What type of sauce is classified as a "cream sauce"?

1. A sauce made primarily with cream, such as Alfredo or béchamel

2. A sauce made with tomatoes and spices

3. A sauce based on clarified butter

4. A spicy sauce made from chili peppers

The correct answer is: A sauce made primarily with cream, such as Alfredo or béchamel

A cream sauce is primarily characterized by its main ingredient being cream, which imparts a rich, smooth texture and flavor to the sauce. Alfredo, for instance, is a well-known cream sauce made with heavy cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese, resulting in a decadent, creamy consistency that complements pasta dishes beautifully. Béchamel, another classic sauce, is made from a white roux and milk, forming a base that can be enriched with cream to create a thicker and more luxurious sauce. In contrast, the other options do not fit the criteria for a cream sauce. The tomato-based sauce relies on tomatoes and spices rather than cream, and clarified butter is not a defining ingredient of cream sauces. Finally, a spicy sauce made from chili peppers does not incorporate cream, emphasizing heat and flavor instead. Thus, the defining feature of a cream sauce is its reliance on cream as a primary component, making it rich and smooth, which is exemplified by options like Alfredo and béchamel.