Sauce Bechamel Aux Champignons White Sauce With Mushrooms Food

BECHAMEL (WHITE SAUCE)

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour, stirring constantly, about 2-3 minutes.
• Gradually add in the milk, stirring constantly, until thoroughly incorporated into butter mixture.
• Add salt, pepper, oregano, and minced garlic (I like using my garlic press for this). Stir frequently until thickened. See note for tip on thinning.

BASIC BECHAMEL (WHITE) SAUCE WITH VARIATIONS INCLUDING AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook over medium, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• NOTE - It is best to use warm to hot liquids when making sauce, which helps to prevent lumps. Also, constant stirring will help prevent the sauce from scorching on the bottom. If sauce turns lumpy, whisk vigorously with a wire whip or strain through a wire sieve before serving.
• Stir in milk or other liquid. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Option: Reduce milk by the same amount you add white wine, sherry or brandy will create a lovely flavor.
• CHEESE SAUCE - Once sauce is made, remove from heat and stir in 1/2 to 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese (or whatever flavor compliments what you are making -- better yet use 2 different cheeses), stirring until melted. To Au Gratin anything use this sauce mixed with potatoes, veggies, meats or whatever and heat through. Top with seasoned bread crumbs and more cheese finishing in the broiler.
• CURRY SAUCE - Stir in 1/2 teaspoon curry powder with the flour.
• DILL SAUCE - Stir in 1 teaspoon chopped fresh, or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed and a dash of ground nutmeg with the flour.
• MORNAY SAUCE.
• Add 1/2 cup grated cheese to 1 cup of hot sauce; stir over low heat until cheese is melted. Season with a little mustard or Worcestershire sauce to taste.
• VELOUTE SAUCE.
• Substitute chicken, beef, fish, or vegetable broth for the milk.
• HERB SAUCE.
• Add 1 teaspoon of freshly chopped herbs or 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs to 1 cup of hot sauce. Cook for a minute or two longer to get more flavor from the herbs.
• CREAM SAUCE.
• Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of heavy cream to the finished sauce. For an onion flavor, add an onion slice to the milk when heating; remove onion slice before adding milk to flour and butter mixture.
• MUSTARD SAUCE.
• Combine 1 teaspoon dry mustard to flour used in sauce. This sauce is especially good with fish and chicken.

MUSHROOM SAUCE (SAUCE AUX CHAMPIGNONS)

Steps:

• Prepare the mushrooms and set aside.
• Heat two tablespoons of the butter in a skillet and add the mushrooms. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Cook, stirring, until the mushrooms give up their liquid. Continue cooking until the liquid evaporates.
• Heat the remaining butter in a saucepan and add the flour, stirring with a whisk. Add the broth, stirring rapidly with the whisk. Add the milk, salt and pepper to taste, nutmeg and cream. Continue cooking about five minutes, stirring. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking, stirring, five minutes longer.

SAUCE BECHAMEL AUX CHAMPIGNONS (WHITE SAUCE WITH MUSHROOMS)

Steps:

• Prepare a sauce bechamel:.
• Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat.
• Stir in the flour and cook for a couple of minutes.
• Do not allow the flour to brown.
• Gradually mix in the milk and bring to a low boil.
• When the sauce is thick and smooth, stir in the nutmeg and pepper.
• Taste for salt.
• Keep the sauce at a low simmer until needed.
• Prepare the mushrooms:.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a fry pan over medium heat.
• Add the sliced mushrooms, sprinkle lightly with salt and cook.
• Stir often to prevent burning.
• When the mushrooms start to release water, add the lemon juice and increase the heat to high.
• When all the liquid has evaporated, add the mushrooms to the sauce.
• Just before serving, off the heat, stir in the last 1 tablespoon of butter.

CLASSIC BECHAMEL: WHITE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat the milk and 1 bay leaf to a gentle simmer, stirring so it doesn't scorch the bottom of the pan. Keep the milk on low heat.
• Make a white roux by melting butter over low-medium heat in a thick-bottomed saucepan. Just as the foam subsides, add the flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk to prevent lumps. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes to coat the flour and remove the starchy taste. Do not allow to brown. Remove from heat, then gradually add a bit of the warm milk to the roux and whisk vigorously. Return the saucepan to the heat and bring up to a low simmer, continuing to add more milk and whisk. Cook for 5 minutes until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Check seasoning; add salt, white pepper, garlic and the remaining bay leaf.
• To prevent a skin from forming as the sauce cools, lay a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface.
• Serve with fish, shellfish, vegetables or egg dishes.