How To Make A Basic White Sauce Mix
By villageanne
@villageanne (8553)
United States
January 13, 2007 1:22pm CST
I am a county cook. I was born and raised in the county. We raised our own farm animals for Milk, meats and for working on the farm. We also raised our own vegetables and herbs. I learned quickly how to make a meal that was both frugal and great tasting. One of the best ways to make that dish special was with a simple white sauce. This recipe will make a mix that you will find yourself using eveyday to make potatoes Au Gratin , Broccoli Cheese soup, Cratm of mushoom and Cream of Chicken soup. You will love this recipe. It is so easy to make and you will soon find that you will no longer be purchasing those store bought soups that are full of MSG, sodium and preservatives.
White Sauce Mix
2 cups instant nongat dry milk
1 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup butter or margarine
Combine dry milk, flour, and aslt. Mix well. Weith a pastry blender, cut in butter or margarine until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Put in a large airtight container. Lavel with date and contents. Store in Refrigerator. Use within 2 months. Makes 1 quart White Sauce MIX.
Now that you have your basic white sauce mix ready to go, try making this basic white sauce. It is easily adapted to make your creamy mushroom sauce, cheese sauce, curry sauce, celery sauce and other sauces.
Basic White Sauce
1/2 cup white sauce mix
1 cup cool water (can be substituted with milk, or chicken or beef stock)
pepper, herbs and spices if desired
In a small saucepan, combine white sauce mix and water. For thinner sauce, decrease white sauce mix to 1/4 cup. Cook over low heat until smooth, stirring constantly. season with pepper, herbs and spices, if desired. Makes about 1 1/2 cups sauce.
Cheese Sauce
Add 1/2 to 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese after mixture thickens. Stir until cheese melts.
Curry Sauce
Add 1 tsp curry powder to thickened mixture
Celery Sauce
In a skillet saute 1/4 cup chopped onion and 3/4 cup chopped celery, add to sauce.
Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Add 1/2 cup chopped fresh mushrooms and 1 teaspoon Worchestshire sauce.
5 people like this
11 responses
@peaceful (3294)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I love your recipes for the most basic sauce in savory and sometimes sweet cooking!
Once this sauce and a few other basics like, boiling water without injuring yourself or causing serious property damage, are mastered...
Why, a guy or a gal could be on their way to becoming a good cook!
Well, at least a non-lethal cook, anyways! :)
As a good cook myself (I'm a guy, by the way) I've seen looks of amazement and mystification come over the faces or dinner guests (non-cooks, I hope) who have asked me, "What kind of sauce is this?" and when I reply that it's just a basic white sauce with this and that added...
They say, "White Sauce?","What's that?" and then, even more curious question, "Where can I buy some?" (!)
You know, it takes me a good moment to remember that we are living in the 21st. Century, where, it seems to be almost unheard of for people to be able to do ANYTHING for themselves, let alone cooking, for crine out loud!
I praise good cooks like you for passing on great information along with great skills, I hope that your tips will be absorbed by those who do have an inkling that this IS a good skill to learn...
Saving money has never been more important that now, controlling your diet by mastering your food, has never been more important by now...
And lastly, keeping your family healthy and trim with good old home cooking has never been more important than now...
There are quite a few good cooks here on MyLot and there are some greatly interested people who like learning about good food basics...
Looks like you've got a lot to share with them...
May Blessings Abound for you and yours, and may Joy, Abundance and Peace make Their sweet Presence known in your Home, just like a freshly made batch of sugar cookies! :)
2 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
13 Jan 07
This is one of those wonderful mixes that everyone should learn to use. It is so yummy. It gives food that added moisture to keep it from being dry. It is wonderful poured over asparagas. We love asparagas but it can be dry when it is not fresh. This will perk up a can or frozen asparagas rapidly.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
13 Jan 07
Thank you so much for the compliment! I too am amazed at how many people just run to the market to pick up a commercial mix that is loaded with MSG and harmful preservatives. It is not healty cooking or healthy eating. I could not agree with you more on the skills being lost in todays society. I am concerned with the skills of many who could not survive if a major power outage hit. The stores would be out of food in a few short hours if not sooner. I worked in a grocery store once. When the power was off, we took care of the customers that was already in the store by using calculators. People would hear the weather but headed no warning till the storm acturally hit - then they would rush to the market and gas station. I am a firm believer in being prepared before the storm hits! What ever type of storm it is. Reality check!
1 person likes this
@nancygibson (3736)
• France
13 Jan 07
We make white sauce by makinga roux first (butter and flour cooked out slowly stirring all the time) then add milk a drop at a time until the sauce is the right consistency, cook it out then add anything else that might be required. I have never heard of using dried milk before, but I don't see why that shouldnt work if you don't have access to fresh milk. Though as you kept milk animals you probably had plenty. What made you prefer dried milk over your own produce if I may ask?
2 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I use dry milk on a regular basis. We limit our trips to the market and have found that dry milk is cheaper and more economical for us to use. We purchase it in large white buckets. Never run out. Saves us gas by not having to run to the market and time too.
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
13 Jan 07
We have moved to a new home and no longer have the milk cow or the hogs now. We really do miss them.
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
26 Jan 07
This is fantastic. Can I come for dinner one night? :) Thank you dear.
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
26 Jan 07
You are welcome. I only hope you will begin to use all these mixes on a regular basis and you will see how much money you will save. You will also be avoiding MSG
@citygirl (1080)
• Canada
14 Jan 07
Thank you thank you thankyou , a million thanks , I have always wanted to know how to do this and now thanks to you I do. I grew up on a farm in Canada but we never made this sauce. I really appreciate this and will use it endlessly. Happy new year to you and all the best.
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
15 Jan 07
It is so simple to make you will be wondering why you hadnt been making it all these years. Maybe it is a Pioneer recipe. Our family has been making it ever since I can remember. Hope you enjoy it.
@samsonskola (3357)
• United States
14 Jan 07
thanks for all the great ideas on how to vary the white sauce...i've made white sauce regularly, but never really thought of all these additions...this is a keeper!
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
14 Jan 07
Basic White sauce is one of those kinds of food that is good with so many different additions. It can quickly become your favorite add on to anything. Enjoy!
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
14 Jan 07
Thanks for another good recipe. My boyfriend has always wanted to know how to make a white sauce and I didn't know either. I think he will be happy with this one. I think he mainly wanted it to make a cheese sauce so he can make homemade macaroni and cheese.
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
15 Jan 07
I hope you find this recipe to your liking. I always make my own macaroni and cheese. It is so much better than those commercial boxed ones. You will never go back to a box again. Think of the money you will save
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
13 Jan 07
Hey this is great Connie. I was telling my mother about the recipes that you have. I love them and find them quite useful. Thanks again! Huggers.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I feel that I have gotten to know your mother on gather. She is a wonderful lady. Glad you enjoy the recipes. I am a firm believer in being prepared even when it comes to food. We have a food storage and have adjusted our cooking habbits accordingly.
1 person likes this
@asfi123 (951)
• India
14 Jan 07
here is the recipe hope u like it
INGREDIENTS
2 cups instant nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup cold butter or margarine
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:
1 cup water
DIRECTIONS
Combine dry milk, flour and salt; mix well. Cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
To prepare white sauce: For a thin white sauce, combine 1/3 cup mix and 1 cup water in a saucepan. For a medium white sauce, use 1/2 cup mix. For a thick white sauce, use 3/4 cup of mix. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Yield: 1 cup sauce per batch.
@manmaxman (850)
• India
7 Feb 07
this is the white sauce mix it is great i have to make it first i never heard about it .........
thank for the recipe
