Basic White Sauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup milk or whipping cream
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Sauce: Add 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Preparation

To prepare white sauce, over medium heat, bring milk just to a boil in a small saucepan.
Remove from heat.
In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
With a wooden spoon stir in flour until mixture is thoroughly blended and bubbly (about 2 minutes).
Gradually add reserved milk, whisking constantly.
Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat, continuing to stir.
Add salt and pepper and cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thick and smooth (5 to 10 minutes).