Classic
White Sauce
Recipe

This white sauce recipe is based upon a classic Béchamel sauce. This basic recipe forms the base for other classic sauces such as Mornay (cheese), parsley, white wine or mushroom sauce.

Where necessary, the sauce can be made ahead of time, poured into warm jug and covered with cling wrap. This jug can then be stood in a pan of barely simmering water and kept warm for up to 30 minutes.

Gourmet food........the EASY way!

Béchamel Sauce

20 fl oz/600ml milk
a few parsley stalks
10 whole black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
1 small onion cut in half and studded with 4 cloves
2oz/50g unsalted butter
2oz/50g plain white flour
salt & freshly milled white pepper
freshly grated nutmeg (optional)

METHOD

• In a small saucepan gently heat together the milk, parsley stalks, peppercorns, bay leaf and studded onion. Allow the milk to come up to simmering point and then remove from the heat. Cover and leave to infuse for at least one hour before straining into a jug. Discard the flavorings.
  

• In a medium saucepan, gently heat the butter until it melts. Do not allow the butter to brown. Then add the flour and over a low heat, beat the mixture with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth, glossy paste - this is known as a "roux". Gently cook out for about 2 to 3 minutes.
  

• Turn the heat down to its lowest setting and slowly add a little of the infused milk and beat well to incorporate it completely. Once the mixture is smooth again, continue to add a little more milk beating until smooth again between each addition.
  

• Once half of the milk is incorporated, switch from the wooden spoon to a balloon whisk and start adding larger amounts of milk. Keep whisking briskly to keep the sauce smooth.
  

• Once all of milk is combined, allow the sauce to come up to a simmer and cook gently for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
  

• Taste and season with salt and freshly milled white pepper, and a little freshly grated nutmeg if desired.

Although Béchamel sauce can be bought ready prepared in most good grocery stores, a traditionally made white sauce recipe like this one is definitely worth the extra effort if you are cooking something special.

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