Mornay sauce is a derivative of which base sauce?

Mornay sauce is a derivative of which base sauce?

• A. Bechamel
• B. Velouté
• C. Espagnole
• D. Tomato

Answer: (A)

Mornay sauce is built on Bechamel, a white sauce made by cooking a pale roux and gradually whisking in milk to create a smooth, creamy base. Mornay takes that Bechamel and enriches it with cheese (typically Gruyère and sometimes Parmesan), giving it a cheesy, silky finish. Because it starts from Bechamel and then adds cheese, it’s classified as a Bechamel derivative. The other bases—Velouté (white stock thickened with a light roux), Espagnole (brown stock with roux), and Tomato (tomato sauce)—are distinct foundations, so they don’t describe Mornay’s base.

Mornay sauce is built on Bechamel, a white sauce made by cooking a pale roux and gradually whisking in milk to create a smooth, creamy base. Mornay takes that Bechamel and enriches it with cheese (typically Gruyère and sometimes Parmesan), giving it a cheesy, silky finish. Because it starts from Bechamel and then adds cheese, it’s classified as a Bechamel derivative. The other bases—Velouté (white stock thickened with a light roux), Espagnole (brown stock with roux), and Tomato (tomato sauce)—are distinct foundations, so they don’t describe Mornay’s base.