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Lactose free bechamel is too sweet

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Subject: Help with Sweet Lactose-Free Bechamel Sauce

Hi everyone! I wanted to share my experience making lactose-free bechamel and seek your advice. Here are the ingredients I used:

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 tbsp flour
  • 4 cups lactose-free milk (specifically from Albert Heijn, as we’re living in the Netherlands)
  • Nutmeg, salt, and black pepper for seasoning

One of my household members is lactose intolerant, so while regular butter works fine, we have to use lactose-free milk. The problem is, I find that the lactose-free milk is quite sweet, and it seems to get even sweeter during cooking.

Does anyone have tips on how to balance out the sweetness and improve the flavor of the sauce? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

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One response to “Lactose free bechamel is too sweet”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    It sounds like you’re encountering the natural sweetness of lactose-free milk, which can be more pronounced compared to regular milk. Here are a few tips to balance that sweetness in your béchamel sauce:

    1. Add Acid: Incorporate a splash of white wine or a little lemon juice to help cut through the sweetness. Start with just a teaspoon and adjust to taste.

    2. Use Unsweetened Plant Milk: If possible, try using an unsweetened non-dairy milk, such as almond or soy milk. These can provide a creamy texture without the sweetness.

    3. Increase Seasonings: Amp up the savory flavors by adding more nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. You can also consider adding garlic powder or onion powder for extra depth.

    4. Cheese: If dairy is tolerated in smaller amounts, consider adding a cheese that is tolerated by the lactose-intolerant person (like aged cheddar or Parmesan) to help balance the sweetness.

    5. Bitter or Umami Elements: Adding a touch of mustard or a small amount of miso can introduce slight bitterness or umami flavors, which might help balance out the sweetness.

    Experiment with these adjustments and see what works best for your taste preferences. Good luck!

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