This section is from the book "When Mother Lets Us Cook", by Constance Johnson. Also available from Amazon: When Mother Lets Us Cook.
1 tablespoonful flour 1 tablespoonful butter 1 cupful milk 1 teaspoonful salt 1/4 teaspoonful pepper
Saucepan or chafing-dish Spoon Measuring cup
Put 1 tablespoonful of butter into a saucepan, and put the saucepan on the stove.
When the butter is melted add 1 tablespoonful of flour.
Stir every minute, for it burns easily.
When the butter and flour are frothy and well mixed, pour in 1 cup of milk or cream, drop by drop, stirring with the other hand.
Do this quickly, but be very careful not to let any lumps form; the stirring is to prevent this, and also to keep the sauce from burning.
Cook it till it boils up, and then stir in 1 tea-spoonful of salt and 1/4 teaspoonful of pepper.
The sauce is now ready for use.
This is enough for a dish for three people. It can be used with warmed-over meats, fish, toast, or sliced hard-boiled eggs.
 
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