modern cheese sauce

makes 2 cups

This basic cheese sauce takes just 10 minutes to prepare and can be modified a million ways just by switching the type of cheese you use.

3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup milk
1 dash nutmeg
1 dash cayenne pepper
salt to taste
1 cup shredded cheese

Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, stirring to work out all the lumps. Cook until light brown in color. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, until smooth. Turn heat up to medium-high and cook for 5 minutes, whisking frequently to prevent lumps. Add nutmeg, cayenne, and salt, then turn heat down to low. Stir in cheese, small handful at a time, until smooth.