Easy White Sauce Starter Mix

I found this new website Hillbilly Housewife that has some really awesome ideas to make those "store must haves" like that usually have a ton of salt or preservatives.   She has some great easy ways to make your own.  Here are some I can't wait to try.

Keep this white sauce mix base on hand for easy sauces that are great for changing up your meals without going crazy with storing lots of "stuff"

White Sauce Mix Base

• 2 cups instant nonfat dry milk
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup butter, margarine or shortening

In a large bowl mix well dry milk, flour and salt.
With pastry blender or 2 knives cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs.

Store in an airtight container.  I'm going to put this in another one of those great Tupperware Modular Mate Containers.
If using butter, store in the refrigerator.
If using margarine or shortening, will keep on the shelf in dry weather for up to 6 months.

I'm going to make this with my Tupperware Quick Chef Pro so that I can easily mix everything together and get the "fat" cut in easily without any problems.

White Sauce
In a small saucepan combine

• 1/2 cup White Sauce Mix Base 
• 1 cup water 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper. 

Stir over low heat until smooth and hot.
Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Cheese Sauce
Add 3/4 cup shredded cheese after your White Sauce thickens.

Curry Sauce
Add 1 teaspoon curry powder to your thickened White Sauce.

Alfredo Sauce
Make White Sauce from White Sauce Mix. To every 1/2 cup White Sauce add

• 2 to 4 cloves garlic, pressed, 
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
• 1 cup light cream. 

To cooked and drained hot pasta, add Alfredo Sauce ingredients, one by one, mixing and tossing well after each addition. Serve immediately.

Mac and Cheese
Combine

• 1/2 cup White Sauce Mix, 
• 1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk. 

Pour over hot, drained, elbow macaroni. Toss well.