There are many legends regarding the origin of béchamel sauce. For example, it is widely repeated in Italy that the sauce was created in Tuscany under the name “salsa colla” and brought to France with Catherine de Medici, but this is an invented story, and archival research has shown that “in the list of service people who had dealt with Catherine de Medici, since her arrival in France and until her death, there were absolutely no Italian chefs.” Both the béchamel recipe and its name have been adopted, even adapted, in many languages and culinary traditions.
| Preparation | Cooking | Servings |
| 5 min | 35 min | 7 |
Béchamel sauce is a creamy French white sauce that’s used in many dishes from lasagna to moussaka. This béchamel sauce is quick and easy.
Ingredients:
Way of preparation
Step 1
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk into the melted butter until smooth. Cook and stir until flour turns a light, golden, sandy color, about 7 minutes.
Step 2
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 no longer tastes gritty, 10 to 20 minutes.
Step 3
Season to taste with salt and nutmeg.