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White Sauce Variations – Information

White Sauce Variations - Information recipe image
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.
Cooking Method: ,
Cuisine:
Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 1
Calories: 42.8
Dietary: Vegetarian
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
  • 1/2 cup American cheese, chopped or grated
  • 1 cup medium white sauce (base)
  • 1/2 cup tomato juice or strained tomatoes (for variations)
  • 1/2 cup milk (for variations)
  • 1/2 to 1 cup flaked canned crabmeat
  • 1 tablespoon dry sherry wine (optional)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion or celery
  • 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh dill
  • 2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped (for Egg Sauce)
  • 1/2 cup hot cooked or canned peas
  • 1 tablespoon chopped pimento
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons prepared drained horseradish
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
  • 1/2 to 1 cup canned or cooked lobster meat or shrimp
  • 1/2 cup veal stock (for Milanese)
  • 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (for Mock Hollandaise)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 to 1 cup sliced cooked or canned mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
  • 1/2 cup small oysters with liquid
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 cup chopped green pepper (optional)
Directions
  1. 1
    Prepare a base of medium white sauce according to standard method, ensuring it is smooth and well-seasoned.
  2. 2
    For basic Cheese Sauce: Stir 1/2 cup chopped or grated American cheese into hot white sauce over low heat until melted and smooth.
  3. 3
    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.
  4. 4
    For Crabmeat Sauce: Remove any bony particles from 1/2 to 1 cup flaked canned crabmeat; fold into seasoned medium white sauce.
  5. 5
    Optionally add 1 tablespoon dry sherry wine to the Crabmeat Sauce for extra flavor.
  6. 6
    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.
  7. 7
    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.
  8. 8
    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.
  9. 9
    For Dill Sauce: Stir 3 tablespoons minced fresh dill into 1 cup hot seasoned medium white sauce.
  10. 10
    For Egg Sauce: Fold 2 chopped hard-cooked eggs into white sauce; season with additional salt and a dash of paprika.
  11. 11
    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.
  12. 12
    For Green Pea Sauce: Add 1/2 cup hot cooked or canned peas and 1 tablespoon chopped pimento to hot medium white sauce.
  13. 13
    For Horseradish Sauce: Stir 2 to 4 tablespoons prepared drained horseradish and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard into white sauce.
  14. 14
    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.
  15. 15
    Optionally add 1 tablespoon dry white wine to the Lobster or Shrimp Sauce for added flavor.
  16. 16
    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.
  17. 17
    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.
  18. 18
    For Mushroom Sauce: Stir 1/2 to 1 cup sliced cooked or canned mushrooms into white sauce.
  19. 19
    For Mustard Sauce: Stir 1 tablespoon prepared mustard into white sauce.
  20. 20
    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.
  21. 21
    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.
  22. 22
    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.

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Keywords: white sauce, bechamel, cheese sauce, seafood sauce, vegetarian sauce, cream sauce, mushroom sauce, curry sauce, mustard sauce, lobster sauce, crab sauce, egg sauce, herb sauce, comfort food, side dish, cooking tips, american cuisine, easy recipes, versatile sauce, kitchen basics
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