Begin by heating the milk over low heat in a heavy-bottomed sauce pot.
Chop the onion into a rough large dice and add it to the milk along with the bay leaf, peppercorn, and cloves. Simmer gently for ten to fifteen minutes in the milk to infuse the flavors.
Melt the butter in a separate pot, and then add the flour with a whisk making a white roux.
Strain the onion and bay leaf, cloves and peppercorns from the milk. Pour some of the hot milk into the roux. Make sure to whisk the mixture as you pour in the milk to avoid lumps. Pour the liquid-y roux back into the milk mixture. Lightly stir the sauce to properly incorporate the roux as the milk continues to heat over low.
Over medium low heat, continue to cook the bechamel for 15 to 20 minutes to fully cook out the flour. Stir periodically with a whisk to prevent the bechamel sauce from burning as it thickens.
Finish the bechamel sauce by seasoning it with ½ teaspoon of nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste. You can add a squeeze of lemon to the sauce if you like to add a little extra depth of flavor though this is not required.
Use the white sauce hot as is in any recipe calling for cream sauce, or add various flavorings to it such as cheddar cheese or herbs to create a sauce for use with any number of dishes. (Mac & Cheese anyone!?)
Notes
Stir the bechamel periodically as the sauce slowly cooks. This will ensure it does not burn to the bottom of the pot. If you do notice the sauce starting to burn or stick, (brown bits start appearing in the sauce), or you can feel the spoon/whisk scraping along the bottom, immediately strain the sauce into a new pot to avoid ruining the bechamel, and continue over a lower heat setting.If you are cooling the sauce for future use, place a layer of plastic wrap directly on the top of the sauce. This will prevent a "skin" from forming, which would ruin the smooth texture once reheated.
Nutrition
Calories: 1237.4kcal
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Keyword bechamel sauce recipe for lasagna, bechamel sauce uses