Description
Creamy bechamel sauce elevates simple ingredients into a luxurious culinary experience. French chefs have perfected this classic white sauce, making it a versatile companion for countless dishes you can confidently prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (16 g) all-purpose flour
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 g) black pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, creating a smooth base for the classic French sauce.
- Sprinkle flour into the melted butter, whisking vigorously to form a pale golden roux that will provide structure and richness to the sauce.
- Gradually stream warm milk into the roux, maintaining constant whisking to prevent any unwelcome lumps from forming.
- Reduce heat and continue stirring the mixture, allowing it to simmer gently and thicken into a velvety, uniform consistency.
- Cook the sauce for an additional 3-4 minutes, ensuring the raw flour taste disappears and the bechamel reaches a luxurious, coating texture.
- Optional: Season with a pinch of salt, white pepper, and a hint of freshly grated nutmeg to enhance the sauce’s delicate flavor profile.
- Remove from heat and use immediately, or cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming if not serving right away.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter for better control of the sauce’s salt level and prevent oversalting.
- Warm milk helps create a smoother texture and prevents the formation of lumps during mixing.
- For a lighter version, substitute half the whole milk with low-fat milk or use a plant-based alternative like almond or oat milk.
- Whisk consistently and continuously to achieve a silky, lump-free sauce that coats ingredients perfectly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg