Yo.
I'm suffering, people. I can't eat anything! Well, I can eat some things, but nothing that is satisfying me! I got my wisdom teeth removed the other day and have been eating soup, ice cream, and yogurt for the past 2 days. I'm over it.
So when the time came to select a Secret Recipe Club recipe, I knew my options were limited. Tandy has some great recipes on her site... if only I could eat them! Maybe I should have made something earlier so I'd have more options and would be able to eat some of her yummy recipes, especially ones that are on my (not-yet-finished) 30 by 30 recipe list. I wanted to make her savory souffle, eclairs, and creme brulee. But I ended up picking her bechamel sauce. I was intrigued because I've heard of this sauce before, and she recommended it with scallops and I figured I could eat scallops since they are soft.
Not gonna lie, I tasted the sauce by itself and I wasn't a fan. It didn't really have much taste or flavor. But with the scallops it was better, but still not very much flavor. I learned that it is really more of a base for other sauces, like mornay, or as a base in lasagnas, mac and cheese, or gratins.
Bechamel Sauce
from Lavender and Lime- 2 cups milk
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 thick slice of white onion
- a dash or two of nutmeg + more for seasoning, if desired
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- freshly ground black pepper, for seasoning
- salt, for seasoning
In a pot, gently heat milk, bay leaf, onion, and dash or two of nutmeg. Remove from heat just before it comes to boil. Cover and set aside to infuse for 30 minutes. Strain the milk into a bowl or container and discard the bay leaf and onions. In the same pot, add butter and melt over low heat. Add the flour and stir briskly until smooth to form a roux. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil and whisk to prevent lumps. Season with pepper, salt, and more nutmeg if desired. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Printable Recipe
I did have to convert measurements, so hopefully my google searching was accurate.
I will definitely be trying this bechamel sauce base in some lasagnas and macaroni and cheese recipes soon!
Annnnnnnd now I think I have pieces of scallop in my teeth :(
Peace, and bacon grease!
Bechamel sauce is a great base sauce, and such a wonderful one to know how to make. Your sauce and scallops sound fantastic, and I am looking forward to making them. Hope your teeth feel better!!
ReplyDeleteOuch! Hope you are feeling better. I've watched my kids suffer at the removal of wisdom teeth.
ReplyDeleteBechamel is a basic sauce that can be transformed easily with the addition of herbs, cheeses etc. It's a great sauce to play with!
I use bechamel sauce all the time. In lasagna with the marinara and as a base for a lot of dishes. Mix in some parmesan and romano a few herbs, some steamed asparagus and good ham and serve as a filling/sauce for crepes. YUM!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It's a sauce everyone should know how to make.
Get better soon! This is one of those sauces that will be in your repertoire forever - glad you rocked it :) Mine - well, let's just say I'm still learning how not to destroy the bechamel
ReplyDeletePoor baby, getting the wizzies out sucks. Good news it that they don't grow back!
ReplyDeleteIn the sauce world it's so important to know the basic and go from there, now you have another one to check off your list!
Um, I am day dreaming about pouring this beautiful sauce over my chicken right now!
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel beter. You know once you get the basics of a good bechamel sauce down. You can cook just about anything.
ReplyDeleteWait? Tired of eating ice cream? I don't think we can be friends anymore! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great sauce to use as a base for anything you can imagine! So sorry to hear about your wisdom teeth - it is not the nicest surgery to have.
ReplyDeleteI just had two of my wisdom teeth pulled a few months ago.. you'll be back to eating anything and everything in no time :)
ReplyDeleteBut.. until then.. just keep making sauces!! LOVE bechamel sauce.. it goes with so many things too!
Love the idea of serving this with scallops - probably if you flavour the sauce up with some nice herbs it would be perfect. :) Great choice for SRC - hope your teeth feel better soon. :)
ReplyDeleteI have had wisdom teeth removed and know what you are going through. I think with scallops, you might enjoy adding a little tarragon to the recipe. I think tarragon goes so well with seafood. Nice recipe.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope your mouth is feeling better, Desi! I think the only bechamel sauce I've made was for something like lasagna...and not sure if I tasted it plain :)
ReplyDeleteHELLO BESTIE! I've got a new blog! I'm loving yours! Man, help me get as good as you are!
ReplyDeleteVisit me at ohmarcey.blogspot.com
Poor Desi! The wisdom teeth pulling and recover is not fun at all! My cheeks got so swollen there were bruises on them and I already have really fat cheeks so I was pretty much a bruised cheek chipmunk-LOL! Sorry the bechamel sauce didn't snazz up the scallops for you. :( I remember I got so desperate for real food (I prett much lived off ice cream) that I blended up refried beans, salsa, and cheese thinking it would be the awesomesauce and then I couldn't eat it because drinking your food...that's just not cool. LOL!
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon, kiddo.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, make that bechamel into a mornay sauce and pour it over an open faced turkey, bacon, tomato sandwich. You have yourself a Kentucky Hot Brown. Friggin delicious.
Hope u'r feeling better now!
ReplyDeleteI'm hosting a giveaway over at my blog and would love for you to stop by and participate.
http://www.myhobbielobbie.com/2012/05/my-200th-blog-post-and-my-1st-ever.html
Looking forward to seeing you there.