Basic Béchamel Sauce

Béchamel sauce, or white sauce, is a simple sauce to make that is used for a variety of sauces and dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions:

• In a small sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the flour, whisking constantly, until the mixture is a pale golden.  This should take about 3 minutes.
• Next, slowly add the milk, still whisking constantly.
• Simmer the mixture while whisking constantly, until it is smooth and thickened.  This will take about 6 to 8 minutes.
• Stir in the remaining ingredients, to taste.