Classic Basic White Sauce

This Basic White Sauce serves as the base
for a variety of dishes including curries,
gravies, fish sauces and cheese sauces.
The classic basic white sauce uses butter,
flour, milk and simple seasonings.

Ingredients:
2 cups whole milk
3 tablespoons finely diced yellow onion
1 bay leaf
A dash of Cayenne pepper
4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all purpose flour

Directions:
In a medium saucepan bring the milk to just under a simmer.
Add the yellow onion, bay leaf and cayenne pepper.
Simmer on low for 3-4 minutes.
Remove from heat and strain the milk
and return back to the saucepan over low heat.
In another saucepan or skillet,
melt the butter over medium heat.
Stir in the flour until the butter and flour make a paste.
Slowly add the strained warm milk from the first saucepan
while stirring with a wire or non-stick whisk until the butter
and flour mixture is completely incorporated into the milk mixture. Continue stirring over low heat for 8-10 minutes
allowing the mixture to thicken.
Remove from heat and season if needed
with a dash of sea salt and fresh ground pepper.