Chef John’s White Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 quart milk
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• Salt
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste

Directions

Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour and cook for about 5 minutes.

Stir in 1 cup cold milk, about 1 minute. Stir in second cup of milk for an additional minute.

Stir in remaining 2 cups of milk, cayenne pepper, salt, thyme, and nutmeg; bring to a simmer over low heat until sauce begins to thicken, about 10 minutes.