Bechamel Sauce

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: about 4 cups
  • Total: 35 min
  • Prep: 15 min
  • Cook: 20 min
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Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

1/2 small white onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice

Kosher salt

3 heaping tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 quart milk

Pinch grated nutmeg

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Directions

  1. Add the butter and onion to a large saucepan over medium heat. Season the onions with salt, to taste, and cook until they become translucent and very aromatic. Add the flour and cook until the flour and butter resemble wet sand, about 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually, whisk in the milk until incorporated. Add the bay leaf and nutmeg and season with salt, to taste. Slowly bring the milk/flour mixture to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom. Be sure that the milk comes to a boil or the flour will not cook out and you will be left with a very objectionable starchy feeling on your tongue.
  2. Once the sauce has come to a boil and has thickened, remove it from the heat. Discard the bay leaf. Stir in the grated Parmigiano, taste and adjust seasoning, if needed.
  3. Use right away or refrigerate, covered, until ready to assemble dish.
  4. Creamy!

Let's Get Cooking!

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Anonymous

I used this recipe and turned it from5 stars into something I would serve to foreign dignitaries . Sweet potato casserole will never be the same, and I will use it as a base for lots of sauces. Loved it on a perfectly done ribeye by altering it to a succulent shitake mushroom sauce as well... It has become a staple in my kitchen when a creamy (or cheesy) sauce is warranted...

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