This comprehensive guide explores the endless possibilities of a simple white sauce base. Starting with a creamy, mild foundation, you can transform it into a dozen distinct flavors by adding just a few key ingredients. From cheesy comfort sauces perfect for macaroni to elegant lobster and crabmeat variations for seafood dishes, these recipes cover a wide range of culinary needs. You will learn how to incorporate vegetables like mushrooms and celery, herbs like dill and curry, and proteins like hard-cooked eggs and oysters. Whether you are looking for a quick weeknight dinner side or a sophisticated accompaniment for veal and fish, these variations provide reliable, home-style flavor. The instructions focus on proper melting techniques to ensure smooth textures and balanced seasoning, making this an essential reference for any kitchen.
White Sauce Variations – Information
Description
This comprehensive guide explores the endless possibilities of a simple white sauce base. Starting with a creamy, mild foundation, you can transform it into a dozen distinct flavors by adding just a few key ingredients. From cheesy comfort sauces perfect for macaroni to elegant lobster and crabmeat variations for seafood dishes, these recipes cover a wide range of culinary needs. You will learn how to incorporate vegetables like mushrooms and celery, herbs like dill and curry, and proteins like hard-cooked eggs and oysters. Whether you are looking for a quick weeknight dinner side or a sophisticated accompaniment for veal and fish, these variations provide reliable, home-style flavor. The instructions focus on proper melting techniques to ensure smooth textures and balanced seasoning, making this an essential reference for any kitchen.Ingredients
Directions
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Prepare a base of medium white sauce according to standard method, ensuring it is smooth and well-seasoned.
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For basic Cheese Sauce: Stir 1/2 cup chopped or grated American cheese into hot white sauce over low heat until melted and smooth.
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For Cheese Tomato Sauce: Mix 1/2 cup tomato juice (or strained tomatoes) and 1/2 cup milk into the white sauce base; stir in 1/4 cup grated American cheese until melted.
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For Crabmeat Sauce: Remove any bony particles from 1/2 to 1 cup flaked canned crabmeat; fold into seasoned medium white sauce.
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Optionally add 1 tablespoon dry sherry wine to the Crabmeat Sauce for extra flavor.
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For Cream Onion or Celery Sauce: Sauté 1/4 cup finely chopped onion or celery in 1 tablespoon butter until tender; stir into 1 cup medium white sauce.
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For Creole Sauce: Sauté minced onion, chopped green pepper, and minced celery in butter before adding flour to make the white sauce base, using tomato juice or strained tomatoes for the liquid.
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For Curry Sauce: Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon curry powder to the dry ingredients (butter and flour) when making the white sauce base.
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For Dill Sauce: Stir 3 tablespoons minced fresh dill into 1 cup hot seasoned medium white sauce.
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For Egg Sauce: Fold 2 chopped hard-cooked eggs into white sauce; season with additional salt and a dash of paprika.
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For Goldenrod Sauce: Stir 2 chopped hard-cooked egg whites into 1 cup seasoned medium white sauce; pour over fish and sprinkle with chopped hard-cooked egg yolks.
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For Green Pea Sauce: Add 1/2 cup hot cooked or canned peas and 1 tablespoon chopped pimento to hot medium white sauce.
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For Horseradish Sauce: Stir 2 to 4 tablespoons prepared drained horseradish and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard into white sauce.
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For Lobster or Shrimp Sauce: Cut 1/2 to 1 cup canned or cooked lobster meat or shrimp into small pieces; fold into seasoned medium white sauce.
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Optionally add 1 tablespoon dry white wine to the Lobster or Shrimp Sauce for added flavor.
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For Milanese Sauce: Prepare medium white sauce using 1/2 cup veal stock and 1/2 cup milk; stir in 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese.
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For Mock Hollandaise Sauce: Mix 1/2 cup well-seasoned white sauce with an equal amount of mayonnaise; add enough lemon juice to sharpen the flavor.
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For Mushroom Sauce: Stir 1/2 to 1 cup sliced cooked or canned mushrooms into white sauce.
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For Mustard Sauce: Stir 1 tablespoon prepared mustard into white sauce.
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For Oyster Sauce: Gently cook 1/2 cup small oysters in their own liquid until plump and edges curl (about 5 minutes); add to hot medium white sauce.
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For Paprika Sauce: Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon paprika to the dry ingredients when making the white sauce base; season with 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice if desired.
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For Pimento Sauce: Stir 1/4 cup chopped pimento into white sauce; add 1/4 cup chopped green pepper if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 42.8kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 4.2g7%
- Saturated Fat 2.6g13%
- Cholesterol 10.9mg4%
- Sodium 40.1mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 0.4g1%
- Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
- Sugars 0.2g
- Protein 0.7g2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
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