Don’t buy “cream of” type soups from the store. Make your own – it’s a lot cheaper and far, far superior in taste and nutritional value. And it’s easy. The same goes for gravy mixes – don’t buy them from the store. They’re awful tasting and awful for you. Instead, make your own with this simple, easy white sauce recipe.

This white sauce is used as the base for gravies, cream of vegetable soups, salmon chowder, etc. Once you master this recipe, you’ll find that the sky is the limit as to what all tasty meals you can dream up.

Makes about 6 to 8 cups.

1. Place a 4 quart pan on medium heat.
2. Add 3 tablespoons to 1/4 cup of butter (not margarine) or coconut oil.
3. When the butter is melted, use a wire whisk to stir in about 1/3 to 1/2 cup flour. Make sure all the flour is well mixed with the butter to form a paste.
4. Immediately pour about 2 cups of milk into the pan and stir continuously with a wire whisk to dissolve the flour paste into the milk.
5. Stir continuously with the wire whisk, on medium heat, until the mixture starts to thicken.
6. Add another cup of milk and continue heating while stirring continuously until it rethickens.
7. Turn down to medium-low heat.
8. Add previously sautéed vegetables or fresh vegetables, pre-cooked diced potatoes, cooked or smoked salmon, etc (or if making gravy, just add chicken or other broth).
9. Add salt (a least one teaspoon) and pepper to your preference.
10. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, stirring often. If making gravy, do not cover – just simmer about 5 minutes, stirring often.
11. While simmering, add milk or water as needed to thin as desired.