Uh-oh, it's gone lumpy!

If you stir a sauce slowly and constantly as it thickens, you may never have this problem. For we mere mortals however, who occasionally get distracted preparing other ingredients, it HAS been known to happen. But don't despair, it may be saved:

* Act quickly - immediately remove it from the heat source.

* If it's actually burned and stuck to the bottom, carefully pour off the unburned liquid into another pan without disturbing the muck. You don't want icky burnt-bits floating around in your sauce. If you're using good quality stainless pans, they can always be saved.

* If it hasn't actually burned, it's just gone lumpy, then a good swift whip with a hand-whisk or wooden spoon may solve the problem.