Basic Béchamel Sauce

Ingredients

 * 1 cup milk
 * a piece of onion or garlic
 * 1 bay leaf
 * 1 to 2 tbsp butter
 * 1 to 2 tbsp flour
 * salt and pepper

Directions

 * 1) Steep the milk with a piece of onion or garlic and a bay leaf for 15 minutes.
 * 2) Melt the butter in a saucepan.
 * 3) Whisk in the flour and cook for a minute.
 * 4) Gradually whisk in the milk.
 * 5) Cook, stirring constantly, until thick.
 * 6) Season.