Parmesan Bechamel Sauce Food

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.

CLASSIC ITALIAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bechamel sauce:
• In a 2-quart pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter has completely melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to simmer and whisk over medium heat until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add the nutmeg and tomato sauce. Stir until well combined and check for seasoning. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• In a saute pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When almost smoking, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• In a medium sized bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Into the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the pasta sheets side by side, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly spread a layer of all the ricotta mixture and then a layer of all the spinach. Arrange another layer of pasta sheets and spread all the ground beef on top. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese on top of the beef. Spread another 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the final layer of pasta sheets and top with remaining bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 1/4-inch cubes and top lasagna.
• Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place lasagna dish on top, cover and put on the middle rack of the oven and bake until top is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake for about 15 minutes.
• In a large casserole pot or Dutch over, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
• Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
• If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

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.

PARMESAN BECHAMEL

Steps:

• Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 2 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Slowly add milk and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add Parmesan, and season with salt and pepper.

PARMESAN BECHAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel and finely chop the vegetables. Add the vegetables, spices and milk to a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, cover and remove from heat. Allow flavors to infuse for 30 minutes.
• Over low heat, melt the butter in a saucepan, remove from heat and stir in flour. Return to heat and cook roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Reheat flavored milk to almost boiling and strain hot milk into bowl with a spout (like a 2 cup glass measuring cup) pressing against vegetables to extract their juices. (Reserve vegetables for pasta).
• Remove roux from heat and slowly blend in the hot milk, stirring vigourously. Place back on heat and bring to a boil stirring continously until sauce thickens.
• Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in the cream. Salt and Pepper to taste.

BéCHAMEL

Steps:

• Put the milk in a glass measuring cup and microwave until just warm, about 1 minute.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the flour and whisk until combined. Continue to whisk until the mixture bubbles a bit, but does not brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Gradually pour in the warm milk while whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, whisking often and occasionally running a rubber spatula around the edges of the saucepan to prevent burning. When the sauce is boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened to a nice coating consistency, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the Parmesan, if using, and stir until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

BéCHAMEL SAUCE FOR LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flout and cook over medium-low heat until the mixture is creamy and no longer smells floury.
• Whisk in the milk and the nutmeg, stirring well to combine. Raise heat to medium.
• Whisk constantly as the sauce returns to a boil and simmer until the sauce thickens sufficiently to coat the back of a spoon.
• Reduce the heat to low, and add the grated Parmesan. Stir until the cheese has melted and is incorporated into the sauce.
• Season to taste with salt - you may not need any if your Parmesan is very salty, so taste the sauce first before adding any salt.

THICK BECHAMEL SAUCE WITH PARMESAN AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Melt butter over medium heat in a saucepan.
• Add flour and cook until foamy, about 2 minutes.
• Add the warm milk, I usually warm it in the microwave oven, and whisk constantly.
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and continue to simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Add parmesan cheese and tomato pesto. Stir until cheese has melted.
• Add nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.