Bechamel Sauce

This classic sauce, sometimes simply called white sauce, adds a rich and creamy quality to a variety of vegetable dishes. It can be spooned over hot cooked vegetables just before serving or mixed with them to make an easy yet elegant creamed vegetable course. To turn the creamed vegetables into a gratin, place in a baking dish, top with cheese and then bake in the oven until golden. To create a cheese sauce, whisk 1/2 cup grated Gruyere, Parmigiano-Reggiano or other cheese into the finished bechamel sauce. If a lighter sauce is desired, substitute chicken stock for part of the milk.