Some people cook for sustenance, not me though, its part art, experiment and a chance to listen to some music while playing with food.  My tastes have evolved and...

 because of this I’m incapable of making a simple grill cheese, I need to bring the flavor to the next level.  Don’t get me wrong though I still love comfort food but it’s when I cook for my self I try a new technique or combining different ingredients to get a new tastes. 

That’s why this week I want to give some homework.  Homework you say?  Well somewhat, but this is easy it’s more of an exercise.  It’s like in music, learning how to improvise, you learn a theory not exact notes.  So I‘m gonna give you a basic sauce that you can build from.  All sauces are derived from 6 mother sauces which make every sauce you’ve ever heard of.  So this mother sauce here is called béchamel, it’s a basic white sauce that’s children are many and to name a few; Mornay and Alfredo.

Béchamel Sauce

3 tbsp. flour

3 tbsp. butter

2 cups milk

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

Salt and pepper

Melt the butter over low heat then whisk in flour till mixture is smooth.  You should remember this is called Roux.  Next pull from the flame and mix in 1 cup off milk at first, then when smooth add the remainder.  Then whisk for another 5 -10 minutes till its smooth and then season. If it’s too thick add more milk.

Now if you add other ingredients it becomes another sauce.  For example adding parmesan cheese and garlic now make Alfredo.  So try things on your own, invent something, and add vegetables, seasonings or cheese.  It can become anything you want.  I personally use heavy cream instead of milk but it’s up to you.  Here is a derivative that I use on chicken.

Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce

Béchamel Sauce

3 cloves roasted garlic mashed

3 tbsp parmesan cheese

2 tbsp cooking sherry

3 minced shallots

1 tsp Chicken base or to taste

Vegetable oil

Sautee shallots in oil till transparent, then add béchamel and remaining ingredients.  Whisk till smooth and bring to a boil.  Use as another base for a sauce or pour it over some chow.  Eat!!!