For Mamas Mercantile-Bread Sauce Recipe!!!

One litre of milk in a microwavable jug with two small onions cut in half, two bay leaves, a good scattering of whole cloves and a good pinch of either whole black peppercorns or coarse black pepper.
Heat in the microwave on full power until just coming to the boil.
Remove, cover and leave to one side for a few minutes for the flavours to develop and then strain to remove the onion, bayleaves, cloves and pepper.

Place a good heap of white breadcrumbs into a saucepan. I use up all the ones I have in the freezer and then have some unfrozen spare in case needed.
Slowly add the milk until the bread has taken all it can....I freeze any leftover for use in another batch when needed.
Over a medium heat stir until nice and thick then add a knob of butter a pinch of ground cloves and a pinch of nutmeg and beat thoroughly.
We like ours quite clovey so I just add a pinch at a time of both cloves and nutmeg until it tastes right.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.

For a richer flavour I sometimes whizz two halves of the partly cooked onion and add it to the sauce.

This can be used straightaway or frozen for future use.
If freezing defrost and reheat thoroughly before serving.

Hope you try it and find it ok. I've been making this for over thirty years and not had a complaint yet 😊