Description
Savory French Sauce au Fromage pour Frites brings gourmet comfort to classic potato sides. Creamy cheese sauce with sharp cheddar and smooth cream delivers rich flavor for potato lovers seeking an indulgent culinary experience you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5.3 oz (150 g) cheddar cheese, shredded (or mix of cheeses like gouda, emmental)
- 3.4 fl oz (100 ml) heavy cream
- 6.8 fl oz (200 ml) milk
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp flour
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard (optional, to enhance flavor)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of paprika or cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
Instructions
- Roux Preparation: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking flour gradually to create a smooth, pale mixture without browning, establishing a flawless base for the cheese sauce.
- Liquid Integration: Slowly stream milk into the roux, whisking vigorously to eliminate potential lumps, then introduce heavy cream, stirring consistently until the mixture transforms into a thick, luxurious consistency.
- Cheese Incorporation: Reduce heat to low, gradually sprinkle shredded cheese into the sauce, stirring methodically to ensure complete melting and seamless integration, creating a velvety smooth texture.
- Flavor Enhancement: Introduce tangy mustard and a subtle dash of paprika, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the sauce’s depth and complexity, balancing the rich dairy notes.
- Serving Presentation: Transfer the silky cheese sauce to a warm serving dish, positioning it elegantly beside crispy golden french fries or generously drizzling over the top, offering a decadent culinary experience that celebrates classic French-inspired comfort food.
Notes
- Prevent Roux Burning: Maintain low to medium heat while mixing butter and flour, stirring constantly to avoid browning and developing a bitter taste.
- Smooth Sauce Technique: Whisk milk into roux gradually and vigorously to eliminate potential lumps, creating a silky, professional-grade cheese sauce.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Remove sauce from direct heat before adding cheese, allowing residual warmth to melt ingredients slowly and prevent sauce separation or graininess.
- Dietary Adaptation: Substitute dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives like almond milk, vegan butter, and cashew cheese for lactose-intolerant or vegan guests without compromising sauce’s creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 194
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 51 mg