Basic Cream Sauce Besciamella Recipes

BECHAMEL SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• In a stove-top pot melt butter.
• Add flour and whisk well until a thick creamy paste forms. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Slowly pour in about ⅓ cup of milk. Continue whisking energetically breaking all the lumps. Make sure to scrape well the bottom and sides of the pot.
• Once you have reached a smooth consistency add a little more milk. Continue adding milk in small portions until you have used up all the milk.
• Increase the heat a little and continue whisking and cooking the sauce.
• Once it starts to thicken, cook it for another 20-30 seconds and turn off the heat.
• Continue to whisk. You'll notice Bechamel Sauce will continue to thicken even with the heat off.
• Once it reached desired consistency, season it with nutmeg and salt to taste or other seasonings (see suggestions above the recipe).
• Give another good stir.
• If you're not planning to use the sauce immediately see my tips above how to store it to prevent a skin from forming.

BASIC BECHAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the flour until smooth. Continue stirring as the flour cooks to a light, golden, sandy color, about 7 minutes.
• Increase heat to medium-high and slowly whisk in milk until thickened by the roux. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue simmering until the flour has softened and not longer tastes gritty, 10 to 20 minutes, then season with salt and nutmeg.

BASIC CREAM SAUCE (BESCIAMELLA)

Steps:

• In a 2-qt. saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly for 2 to 3 minutes. Do not let the mixture brown. Slowly whisk in the hot milk and bring just to a simmer, whisking frequently. Reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking often, until the sauce has thickened to a creamy, gravy-like consistency and no longer tastes of raw flour, 6 to 8 minutes for a single batch, 10 to 12 minutes for a double batch. Remove from the heat and whisk in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg. If not using right away, transfer to a bowl and press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the sauce to keep a skin from forming. Plan to use the sauce within 30 minutes because it thickens if it's left to sit for too long. If that should happen, add a little warm milk and whisk well to thin it.

BECHAMEL: BESCIAMELLA

Steps:

• Melt the 1/2 cup butter in a pan over medium heat. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon. Cook's Note: This is an important moment, as you have to slowly toast the flour without burning it. This will help you lose the flowery taste.
• Warm up the milk and gradually ladle into the pot with the butter-flour mixture, whisking constantly while bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Season the sauce with freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

BASIC WHITE SAUCE - SALSA DI BESCIAMELLA

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, melt the butter over med-low heat. Do not let the butter brown.
• Whisk in the flour, and cook it until a uniform paste is formed, and no streaks of flour remain.
• Slowly whisk in the milk in a steady stream.
• Cook about 10 minutes, stirring slowly until the sauce coats the back of a wooden spoon.
• Season with salt and pepper.

BASIC ITALIAN WHITE CREAM SAUCE (LIKE AN ALFREDO OR BECHAMEL)

Steps:

• Melt butter in small saucepan cooking over low to medium heat, stirring for about 5 minutes.
• Add flour and stir until the butter and flour are well combined. Pour in cream & remaining ingredients, stirring constantly as it thickens.
• Add more cream or flour depending on desired consistency.

BECHAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• MICROWAVE METHOD: In microwave oven, melt butter in a 1-quart glass measuring pitcher for about 1 minute at HIGH.
• Add grated onion and flour and mix well. Gradually add warm or room temperature chicken broth (NOT hot) and half-and-half to container, stirring constantly.
• Cook uncovered for 5-6 minutes at HIGH or until sauce is thickened. Do NOT boil.
• After 2 minutes, stir mixture, then stir again every 30 seconds to one minute as needed. When sauce reaches medium thickness, remove from microwave, add seasonings and stir. Mmmm!
• STOVETOP METHOD: In a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in the flour, salt and white pepper. Add cold half-and-half and COLD chicken broth all at once. Stir well. Cook, stirring frequently, at medium heat until thick. Remove from heat and stir in seasoning.