Parsley Sauce

Name: Parsley Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: British (English)
Ingredients: Unsalted butter — 30 g (2 tbsp); All-purpose flour — 30 g (1/4 cup); Whole milk, warmed — 400 ml (1 2/3 cups); Fresh parsley, finely chopped — 30 g (1/2 cup); Salt and white pepper — to taste

The Quirky Foodster Team

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5 min

Prep

15 min

Cook

Ingredients

Unsalted butter — 30 g (2 tbsp)
All-purpose flour — 30 g (1/4 cup)
Whole milk, warmed — 400 ml (1 2/3 cups)
Fresh parsley, finely chopped — 30 g (1/2 cup)
Salt and white pepper — to taste

Method

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until foaming.
Whisk in flour, cook 2 minutes to form a pale roux without colouring.
Gradually whisk in warmed milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
Simmer gently 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until thickened.
Stir in chopped parsley just before serving, season with salt and white pepper.

Cultural Background: A béchamel-based sauce studded with fresh chopped parsley, parsley sauce is a homely English classic traditionally served with poached ham, boiled bacon and white fish, a staple of mid-20th-century British home cooking.

Tips: • Add the parsley at the very end so it stays bright green and fresh-tasting. • Warming the milk beforehand helps prevent lumps and speeds up thickening.

Variations: • Use the cooking liquid from poached ham or fish instead of some of the milk for extra flavour. • Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

Storage: Refrigerate up to 2 days in an airtight container.

Reheating: Reheat gently over low heat, whisking in a splash of milk if too thick. Nutrition (per serving) Approx. 55 kcal, 1.5 g protein, 3.5 g fat, 4 g carbohydrate per 60 ml serving.

FAQs: What is parsley sauce traditionally served with? Poached or boiled ham and bacon, and white fish dishes. Can I make it dairy-free? Yes, substitute plant milk and vegan butter, though the flavour will be lighter. SEO Metadata Title: Classic British Parsley Sauce Recipe Description: Make traditional English parsley sauce, a béchamel-based sauce for ham and fish. Keywords: parsley sauce recipe, British white sauce, English ham sauce