Béchamel Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- Salt to taste
- White pepper to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg optional
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients:
- Measure out all the ingredients before starting, as the sauce comes together quickly.
Melt Butter:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Be careful not to let it brown.
Add Flour:
- Once the butter is melted, add the flour.
- Whisk continuously to create a smooth paste (roux).
- Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw taste of the flour, but do not let it brown.
Slowly Add Milk:
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth.
Simmer and Season:
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently.
- Allow it to simmer until it thickens, usually 5-10 minutes.
Season:
- Season the sauce with salt, white pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if desired.
- Adjust the seasonings to taste.
Finish:
- Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency, remove it from heat.
- It should coat the back of a spoon.
Serve or Use:
- Use the Béchamel sauce immediately in your recipe or let it cool if preparing in advance.
- If it thickens upon cooling, you can gently reheat it and add a bit more milk to reach the desired consistency.
