thumb|[[Panna cotta with a strawberry coulis]]
thumb|200px|Preparation of the [[strawberry coulis]]
A coulis ( ) is a thin sauce made from puréed and strained vegetables or fruits. A vegetable coulis is commonly used on meat and vegetable dishes, and can also be used as a base for soups or other sauces. Fruit coulis are most often used on desserts. Raspberry coulis, for example, is especially popular with poached apples or Key lime pie. Tomato coulis may be used to add flavor to other sauces or served on its own (either cold or hot).
The term comes from Old French , meaning ) However, originally with the spelling cullis, the word has six hundred years of history in the English language, derived from an Old French word (originally from Latin , ), meaning straining, pouring, flowing, or sliding (the meaning preserved in English "colander"). The term was used to denote strained broth, originally likely made from chicken, later also from meat and fish. The cullis was used as a sauce or as a base for other sauces.
See also
- Compote
- Dessert sauce
- List of dessert sauces