Question

Why do recipes for white sauces require you to add milk slowly?

Answer 1

To expand on the previous answer - adding a cold liquid to a hot mixture all at once will dramatically reduce the temperature of the heated mix. Adding the milk slowing allows for incorporation of the milk while maintaining the proper level of heat.

Answer 2

I beleive it is because they don't want you to make it too thick or to thin or else the recipe won't come out right

Answer 3

when they say stir it gradually, it means pouring the hot mixture into the cold mixture, little by little. never the cold into the hot, cause it will result in lumps and the sauce will not be as smooth as you expect it to be.

Answer 4

Because if you put it all in quickly, the mixture does not "mix" very well...it clumps! When you stir it in slowly, the heat mutualizes the mixture causing it to be more contained!