Chef John s White Sauce

½ cup butter

½ cup flour

1 quart milk

4 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped

⅛ 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.