Bechamel Sauce

Total Time: 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 4 cups whole milk, warm
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 1 pinch fresh ground pepper (to taste)
• 1 pinch nutmeg, freshly grated (to taste)

Recipe

• 1 in a 2 quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
• 2 add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes.
• 3 gradually add the warm milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming.
• 4 simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes.
• 5 do not allow the bechamel sauce to boil.
• 6 remove from the heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch each of pepper and nutmeg.
• 7 season the sauce with more salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste.
• 8 the sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead. cool, then cover and refrigerate.