Bechamel Sauce
Ingredients
1/2 pint/300 ml milk2 bay leaves
3 cloves
1 small onion
2 oz/55 g butter, plus extra for greasing
1 1/2 oz/40 g all-purpose flour
1/2 pint/300 ml light cream
large pinch of fresh grated nutmeg
salt and pepper
Instructions
1) Pour the milk into a small pan and add the bay leaves. Press the cloves into the onion, add to the pan, and bring the milk to a boil. Remove the pan from the ehat and set aside to cool.2) Strain the milk into a pitcher and rinse the pan. Melt the butter in the pan, stir in the flour, and cook for 1 minute, stirring. remove from the heat and gradually pour the milk, stirring constantly. Cook the sauce for 3 minutes, stirring, then pour in the cream and bring it to a boil. Remove from the heat and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
Makes 1 1/4 cups