Yes, you can use plain flour to thicken sauces, but it's essential to do it correctly to avoid lumps and achieve the desired consistency. Here's how you can use plain flour as a thickener for sauces:
Create a slurry: Mix the plain flour with a small amount of cold liquid to create a slurry. The liquid can be water, broth, milk, or any other liquid used in your sauce recipe. Use about 1 tablespoon of flour for every 1/2 cup of liquid.
Mix well: Stir the flour and liquid together until you have a smooth, lump-free mixture.
Add to the sauce: Gradually pour the slurry into your sauce while stirring continuously. This helps to prevent lumps from forming.
Cook and stir: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and continue stirring until it thickens to the desired consistency. The flour needs to cook for a few minutes to lose its raw taste and effectively thicken the sauce.
Keep in mind that using plain flour may result in a slightly cloudy appearance in the sauce. If you prefer a clear, glossy finish, you might want to consider using other thickeners like cornstarch or arrowroot. Additionally, if you're looking for a gluten-free option, plain flour may not be suitable, and you should opt for gluten-free thickeners instead.