How to make bechamel sauce

By following these simple instructions, you can prepare a perfect béchamel sauce to use in many different recipes!

The step-by-step preparation

Here are the steps to follow to prepare a delicious béchamel sauce:

1. Step 1: Start by melting the butter in a pot over medium heat. Once the butter has completely melted, add the flour and vigorously whisk.
2. Step 2: Continue stirring the butter and flour mixture until it becomes golden and starts to bubble. This process, called "roux", will give the béchamel its characteristic flavor.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the milk to the pot, continuing to vigorously whisk to avoid lumps. Make sure to pour the milk slowly, a little at a time, to ensure that the mixture remains smooth and uniform.
4. Step 4: Continue cooking the béchamel over medium-low heat, constantly stirring with a whisk, until it reaches the desired consistency. If the béchamel seems too thick, add a little milk; if it seems too thin, continue cooking it until it thickens.
5. Step 5: Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste to flavor the béchamel. Mix well and taste to adjust seasoning if necessary.
6. Step 6: The béchamel is ready! Use it immediately or store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Remember that béchamel sauce is a very versatile sauce that can be used in many different recipes. Try it with lasagna, cannelloni, gnocchi, or as a topping for baked vegetables. Enjoy your meal!

Useful tips for perfect results

Here are some tips that will help you prepare a perfect béchamel sauce:

• Use fresh ingredients: Use fresh butter and high-quality flour to obtain a delicious-tasting béchamel.
• Warm up the milk: Heating the milk before adding it to the butter and flour mixture helps prevent lumps in the béchamel.
• Mix constantly: Stirring continuously during the preparation of the béchamel helps prevent lump formation. Make sure to mix well in the corners of the pot.
• Don't overcook: Overcooking the béchamel can cause it to lose its delicate flavor and creamy consistency. Once you have reached the right consistency, remove it from heat immediately.
• Add spices or flavors: Adding spices like nutmeg or white pepper or flavors like garlic or onion powder can give your béchamel an even richer taste.

We hope these tips help you prepare a perfect béchamel sauce every time!

Variations of béchamel sauce

Classic béchamel is a very versatile sauce, but there are also some variations that can enhance the flavor of many dishes. Here are some ideas:

Cheese Béchamel

To obtain a more flavorful béchamel, you can add grated cheese to the basic preparation. The best cheese to use depends on personal taste and the dish you want to season. For example, for lasagna you can use parmesan or Pecorino Romano, while for cannelloni you can opt for mozzarella.

Herbed Béchamel

An alternative to give a touch of freshness to béchamel is to add finely chopped herbs such as parsley, basil, thyme or rosemary. This variation is perfect for seasoning gratin vegetables or stuffed crepes.

Spiced Béchamel

Adding spices to béchamel can completely transform its flavor. You can use spices like nutmeg, black pepper, paprika or curry powder depending on personal taste and the type of dish you are preparing. This variation is great for seasoning baked pasta or accompanying roast chicken.

• Note: when adding ingredients to béchamel, it is important to cook them together for a few minutes so that the flavors blend and the sauce becomes homogeneous.
• Tips: if you want to make béchamel lighter, you can replace whole milk with partially skimmed milk or vegetable broth. In addition, you can use whole wheat flour instead of white flour to obtain a healthier version of the sauce.

Conclusion

As we have seen, béchamel is a very versatile sauce that can be used in many dishes. Experimenting with the proposed variations can enhance the flavor of our dishes and make them even more tasty. Remember that it is important to carefully follow the doses and instructions to obtain a perfect and lump-free béchamel.

What are you waiting for? Try making your own béchamel! Enjoy your meal!