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making a basic white sauce

(3 ratings)
Recipe by
Marsha Gardner
Florala, AL

So many great recipes start with a basic white sauce, thin, medium or thick. With cheese or without.....

(3 ratings)

Ingredients For making a basic white sauce

  • 2 Tbsp
    butter, unsalted
  • 2 Tbsp
    all purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp
    kosher salt
  • 1 c
    milk

How To Make making a basic white sauce

  • 1
    In a small, heavy saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Blend 2 tablespoons of flour into the melted butter. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook over low heat, stirring, for 4 to 5 minutes. Cooking for this length of time will minimize 'flour' taste. Slowly add 1 cup of milk, stirring constantly. Continue cooking slowly until smooth and thickened.
  • 2
    THIN WHITE SAUCE: Follow the instructions above, but use 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of flour. Thin white sauce is used in cream soups.
  • 3
    THICK WHITE SAUCE: Follow the instructions above, but use 3 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of flour. Thick white sauce is used in souffles. For heavy white sauce, follow the instructions above, but use 4 tablespoons of butter and 4 tablespoons of flour. Heavy white sauce is used as a binder for croquettes.
  • 4
    TIPS: To make the standard Béchamel, after adding the milk to the medium white sauce recipe add 1 small onion studded with 3 cloves, a bay leaf, and a grating of nutmeg. Light stock, cream, or a combination may be used in place of the milk.
  • 5
    Add more flavor by seasoning with celery salt, nutmeg, a teaspoon of lemon juice, onion juice, or sherry, or a few tablespoons of chopped chives or parsley.
  • 6
    SUGGESTIONS: PARSLEY SAUCE: Add 2 to 4 tablespoons parsley. EGG SAUCE: Add 2 diced, hard cooked eggs. HORSERADISH SAUCE: Add 1/4 cup grated horseradish, drained, and 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard, if desired. CHEESE SAUCE: Add 1/2 to 1 cup grated cheese of your choice.

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