Basic White Sauce

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan
2. Add the flour and mix well until butter and flour form a ball and leave the sides of the pan - do not allow to go brown
3. Gradually blend in the milk, stirring continuously over a medium heat until the sauce becomes thick and smooth
4. Briing to the boil and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring all the time
5. Add some or all of the optional ingredients

White Sauce Variations:

Cheese Sauce
Add 50g cheddar cheese

Parsley Sauce
Add 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

Mushroom Sauce
Cook 100g thinly sliced mushrooms in melted butter until soft and add to the sauce

Rich White Sauce
Whisk 1 egg yolk with 2 tablespoons of cream then mix into the sauce