- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 quart milk
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- salt
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
- Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in 1 cup cold milk, about 1 minute. Stir in second cup of milk for an additional minute.
- Stir in remaining 2 cups of milk, cayenne pepper, salt, thyme, and nutmeg; bring to a simmer over low heat until sauce begins to thicken, about 10 minutes.