New Orleans Bechamel Sauce

By JDARK

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
• 3/4 cup milk
• 4 drops Tabasco
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Preparation

Step 1

In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over low heat; do not brown. Add the flour gradually, stirring constantly to keep the mixture smooth; do not allow the flour to cook. Once all the flour is blended in, gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly with a wire whisk to keep the sauce perfectly smooth. Move the whisk around in the pan as you stir to blend the sauce at the bottom and sides. Once all the milk has been added, cook over low heat until the sauce thickens, then remove from the heat and stir in Tabasco, salt and nutmeg. Blend thoroughly.