Besciamella (Italian-Style Béchamel Sauce)

Name: Besciamella (Italian-Style Béchamel Sauce)
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: makes 2 cups
Ingredients: 3 tbsp. butter; 4 tbsp. sifted flour; 2 cups hot milk; Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Serves
makes 2 cups

Although widely recognized by its French name, bechamel, this sauce has been known in Italy as besciamella (or balsamella or bechimella) for centuries. The sauce functions as a binding element in many pasta and vegetable dishes. It is also used as a topping in baked dishes—most notably lasagne and cannelloni—to prevent them from drying out.

Ingredients

3 tbsp. butter
4 tbsp. sifted flour
2 cups hot milk
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1

Melt butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour and whisk for 1½ minutes (do not allow to brown).

Step 2

Gradually add hot milk, whisking constantly. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until sauce is the consistency of thick cream, about 15 minutes.