White Sauce Recipe
White sauce, also known as béchamel sauce, is a classic French sauce made from butter, flour, and milk. It is a versatile sauce that can be used as a base for many dishes, such as lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and creamed vegetables. To make white sauce, you melt butter in a saucepan, add flour to make a roux, and gradually whisk in milk until the sauce thickens. Seasonings such as salt, pepper, and nutmeg can be added to enhance the flavor.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife (optional):
Ingredients
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Milk
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Heavy cream
Instructions
Melt the Butter in a Pan
- This is the first thing you must do to prepare a white sauce. You must melt at least 1 ½ tablespoons of butter in your saucepan. You must set your gas or pan to medium or low heat to successfully do this. This will reduce the chances of butter bubbling, burning, or changing color.
- Keep the heat at the lowest possible setting until the butter melts completely without burning. Also, stir the butter as it melts.
Add Flour and Stir Well
- This is the next thing you must do to prepare the white sauce. You must add 1 ½ spoonfuls of flour once the butter is properly melted. Once you have added the flour, use your whisk to stir the mixture. Ensure they are fully blended without lumps. Make sure your cooker is at the lowest possible temperature while doing this.
- The mix should also be cooked for one minute to ensure it is evenly pasted.
Add a Cup of Cream and Stir
- Once you have followed the previous 2 steps, the next thing you must do is add a cup of cream to the saucepan. Keep stirring the entire mixture with your whisk to incorporate everything nicely.
Add Pepper and a Pinch of Salt
- Adding necessary ingredients, such as pepper and a pinch of salt, is the next thing to do once you have incorporated the cream into the mixture. When adding pepper, remember not to put too much. This is mainly because too much might ruin the taste.
- Once you have added the pepper, add a pinch of salt. Doing this is very important, improving the white sauce’s taste. Stir the ingredients into the mixture and wait for several minutes.
Turn on the Heat and Allow the Mixture to Thicken
- This is the last thing to do if you want a good white sauce recipe. You should turn on the heat after following the previous 4 steps. Once you turn on the heat, stir the mixture gently with your whisk.
- The mixture should get creamier after a couple of seconds. This means the sauce is about to set. Once it bubbles a little, you can turn off the heat.