One of the basics of French cuisine, Béchamel sauce is a white sauce that is used in a wide variety of recipes. During preparation, care must be taken not to let the roux — the flour and butter mixture — turn brown, as the sauce is meant to remain a creamy white.
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. flour
2 cups (1/2 liter) milk
salt and freshly ground black pepper
a sprinkling of freshly grated nutmeg or ground nutmeg
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. When bubbly, add the flour. Cook over a low flame, stirring, for one minute.
Add the milk, bring to a simmer and whisk until the sauce thickens. Turn down the heat.
Cook for five minutes, whisking. Season to taste.
Makes about 2 cups of sauce.