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Bechamel Sauce, a simple and tasty sauce
Bechamel Sauce is a sauce that I avoided cooking especially when my daughter was very young and, when needed, I replaced it in certain dishes, such as lasagna, with sour cream. As Sofia grew, however, I started using it especially for Lasagna or the famous Mac and Cheese.
If you’re wondering why I hesitated to use it when Sofia was very young, the answer is very simple: Bechamel Sauce is based on boiled flour. And I tried as much as possible to avoid this kind of sauces in the very young child’s diet. For this reason I eliminated flour-thickened sauces altogether for a period of time, using cornstarch instead, in stews or other dishes that are sometimes thickened with flour.
Now, I use this sauce occasionally, especially for the two dishes already mentioned: Lasagna or Mac and Cheese. Anyway, I don’t cook them very often, so I probably use this sauce 5-6 times in a year. I do not know whether boiled flour represents any danger for our health, or whether it has any harmful effect, but that is what I thought at the time to be the right thing to do, and I acted accordingly.
Back to the Bechamel Sauce, this is a delicious sauce. Its extremely fine and rich texture makes it quite difficult to replace it with other products, and that’s why I currently use it for the mentioned recipes. It’s a simple sauce when you consider the ingredients behind it. These are: butter, flour, milk, salt and pepper. It is an extremely simple sauce to prepare, the only condition for obtaining a delicious sauce is to stir continuously during cooking, to eliminate the risk of lumps of flour forming.
What do we use Bechamel Sauce for?
Well, as I already mentioned, I use Bechamel sauce especially for Lasagna or Mac and Cheese. In addition, it can be used for various gratin dishes, such as scalloped potatoes, cauliflower/brocolli au gratin, casserole dishes and all kinds of baked pasta dishes.
For a classic Lasagna, Bechamel sauce is indispensable. As I already told you, I replaced it with sour cream for a while, but the taste and the texture of the final dish is significantly better using this sauce. The Bechamel sauce used for Lasagna is that white layer that you can notice when you cut open a portion of the lasagna. Basically, Lasagna is a dish that has several layers, namely: the layer of lasagna sheets, the layer of meat sauce, the layer of bechamel sauce and the cheese layer. These layers, always placed alternately, create that wonderful Italian dish called Lasagna.
Also, another dish loved by children and adults is represented by Mac and Cheese. The famous American recipe for oven baked pasta with cheese is based on this sauce, which mixed together with cheddar cheese or cottage cheese, according to preference, creates that wonderful dish that spreads and delights your taste buds.
As I already said, Bechamel sauce is an extremely simple sauce to prepare. I chose to cook it in a Thermomix, but if you don’t have such a machine, you can prepare it without problems using a pot and a whisk, with which to stir continuously, to eliminate the risk of lumps of flour.
That being said, I strongly recommend you try this wonderful sauce for delicious dishes and feel free to share your opinion with me in the comments section.
Ingredients
Full Recipe
Bechamel Sauce β super easy
Equipment
- 1 Thermomix / Mixer
Ingredients
- 40 g butter
- 40 g plain flour
- 500 g milk
- Β½ tsp salt
- 2 pinches ground black pepper
- 2 pinches ground nutmeg optional
Instructions
- Place butter into mixing bowl and melt 3 min/100Β°C/speed 1.
- Add flour and cook 3 min/100Β°C/speed 1.
- Add milk, salt, black pepper and nutmeg (optional) and cook 6 min/90Β°C/speed 4. Serve immediately or use as needed.
- Final result
Video
Nutrition
For the Cookidoo account owners, you can find the recipe following this link.
Video recipe
FAQ
Why is it called Bechamel Sauce?
It is named after its innovator, Louis de Bechamel, a steward to Louis XIV of France. It’s one of the foundational elements in French and Italian cuisine.
What is Bechamel sauce?
It is known as white sauce, is a classic French sauce made from butter, flour, and milk. It’s often used as a base for other sauces like cheese sauce or Mornay sauce, and in dishes such as lasagna and macaroni and cheese.
What type of sauce is Bechamel sauce?
Bechamel is a mother sauce in classical French cooking. This means it’s one of the base sauces from which many other sauces are derived. It’s a smooth, white sauce made from a roux of butter and flour, cooked in milk.
What is the difference between a white sauce and Bechamel sauce recipe?
The terms “white sauce” and “Bechamel sauce” are often used interchangeably. However, the traditional difference lies in their preparation. Bechamel sauce is specifically made by adding milk to a white roux, a mixture of melted butter and flour, whereas a generic white sauce might use different liquids like stock or cream.
Which cheese for Bechamel sauce recipe?
Traditionally, Bechamel sauce doesn’t include cheese. However, when cheese is added, the sauce is then referred to as a Mornay sauce. Common choices for cheese include gruyere, cheddar, or Parmesan.
Is Bechamel sauce gluten-free?
Classic Bechamel sauce is not gluten-free as it uses wheat flour as a thickening agent. However, it can be made gluten-free by using alternatives like cornstarch or gluten-free flour blends.
Is Bechamel sauce healthy?
While Bechamel sauce does contain nutritious elements such as calcium from milk, it also contains butter and flour, which can be high in calories and fat. It’s best to consume Bechamel sauce in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Is Bechamel sauce vegan?
Traditional Bechamel sauce is not vegan as it contains dairy products like butter and milk. However, a vegan version can be made using plant-based milk and vegan butter or oil.
Is Bechamel sauce keto?
Standard Bechamel sauce is not considered keto-friendly due to the flour used as a thickening agent. A keto-friendly version can be made using heavy cream and almond flour or xanthan gum.
Is Bechamel sauce good for babies and toddlers?
Yes, Bechamel sauce can be a good way to introduce dairy to babies and toddlers, and it can be used to make foods more appealing and palatable. However, it’s important to ensure the sauce is made with full-fat milk and no added salt for young children.
Can Bechamel sauce be frozen?
Yes, Bechamel sauce can be frozen. However, the consistency may change slightly upon thawing. To minimize this, reheat slowly and whisk consistently to maintain a smooth texture.
Can Bechamel sauce be reheated?
Yes, Bechamel sauce can be reheated on the stove over low heat. Stir continuously to avoid burning and maintain a smooth texture.
Can Bechamel sauce be used for pasta?
Absolutely! Bechamel sauce is a great complement to many pasta dishes. It is the base for many creamy pasta sauces and baked pasta dishes like lasagna.
Can I use Bechamel sauce for lasagna?
Yes, Bechamel sauce is a traditional layer in many lasagna recipes. It adds a creamy texture and rich flavor to the dish.
Can I use Bechamel sauce for mac and cheese?
Yes, Bechamel sauce forms the base of the classic mac and cheese recipe. Cheese is added to the Bechamel to create a rich and creamy cheese sauce that coats the macaroni.
How long does Bechamel sauce last?
Bechamel sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you’re unsure, always check for signs of spoilage such as a change in color, smell, or consistency.
How to thicken Bechamel sauce?
If your Bechamel sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by continuing to cook it on low heat, stirring constantly. The flour in the sauce will gradually thicken it up.
What are the uses of Bechamel sauce?
Bechamel sauce is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes like pasta, gratins, casseroles, and pies. It also serves as the base for other sauces like cheese sauce, cream sauce, and more.
Can I make Bechamel sauce ahead of time?
Yes, Bechamel sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for longer storage. Just be sure to reheat it slowly, whisking continuously to maintain a smooth texture.
How can I make a dairy-free Bechamel sauce?
A dairy-free Bechamel sauce can be made by substituting dairy milk with a non-dairy alternative, such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. The butter can also be replaced with a non-dairy spread or oil.
Can Bechamel sauce curdle?
Yes, Bechamel sauce can curdle if it’s heated too quickly or if the milk is very cold compared to the roux. To prevent this, ensure all ingredients are at similar temperatures and heat the sauce slowly, stirring constantly.
How can I fix lumpy Bechamel sauce?
Lumpy Bechamel sauce can often be fixed by using a whisk to mix the sauce vigorously. If the lumps persist, you can use a blender or food processor to create a smoother consistency. Always remember to add the milk gradually and whisk continuously for the best results.
Can I make Bechamel sauce without butter?
Yes, while traditional Bechamel sauce uses butter, you can use alternatives like olive oil or other types of fat. Note that the flavor and texture might differ slightly from the classic version.
Is Bechamel sauce the same as Alfredo sauce?
No, Bechamel and Alfredo sauce are not the same. While both are creamy, Alfredo sauce is typically made with heavy cream, butter, and grated Parmesan cheese. Bechamel sauce, on the other hand, is made with a roux of butter and flour, to which milk is added.
Thanks for the comprehensive recipe with a lot of questions answered.