Here are the answers to your questions:
**1. White Sauce (Béchamel Sauce)**
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: nutmeg or other seasonings
Method:
1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
3. Gradually add the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until it thickens, stirring occasionally.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg.
**2. Mayonnaise Sauce**
Ingredients:
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar
- 1 cup neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed
- Salt to taste
- Optional: garlic, mustard, or other seasonings
Method:
1. In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and lemon juice until smooth.
2. Slowly pour the oil into the bowl while continuously whisking the mixture.
3. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and emulsifies.
4. Season with salt and optional garlic or mustard.
**3. Fish in Lemongrass Sauce**
Ingredients:
- 4 fish fillets (any white fish works well)
- 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup chicken or fish stock
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: chili flakes or sliced chilies for added spice
Method:
1. In a blender or food processor, combine lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, and oil. Blend until smooth.
2. In a saucepan, combine the blended mixture, stock, and ginger. Bring to a simmer.
3. Add the fish fillets to the saucepan and cook until cooked through, about 4-6 minutes per side.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and optional chili flakes.
**4. Potato Salad**
Ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped hard-boiled egg
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and cool.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, onion, egg, mustard, and dill.
3. Add the cooled potatoes to the bowl and stir to combine.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
**5. Mushroom Sauce**
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mixed mushrooms (button, cremini, shiitake), sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: garlic, thyme, or other herbs for added flavor
Method:
1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add the flour to the saucepan and whisk to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
3. Gradually add the stock and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until it thickens, stirring occasionally.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and optional garlic or thyme.