White Sauce OR Béchamel
About 1 cup To add flavor to this delicate sauce, you may infuse the milk first: Bring it to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat with 1 bay leaf and 1 thick onion slice stuck with 2 whole cloves. Immediately take off the heat, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Fish out the onion and bay leaf and proceed as directed.
Let's Prepare
Collect
Gather these ingredients — no prep needed yet.
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- Salt and black or white pepper
- Grated or ground nutmeg
Let's Cook
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Step 1.
Melt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat: 2 tablespoons butter
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Step 2.
Whisk in until well blended and smooth, about 1 ½ minutes: 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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Step 3.
Remove the pan from the heat and slowly whisk in: 1 cup milk
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Step 4.
Return the pan to the heat and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook, whisking, until the sauce is smooth and hot and has thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. If you are using this sauce as is, season to taste with: Salt and black or white pepper; Grated or ground nutmeg
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Step 5.
Prepare White Sauce I, using 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, and 1 cup milk.