Roux (pronunciation is roo)
A mixture of fat (butter, oil) and flour gently cooked together. The time allowed for the cooking determines the color of the roux. There are three types of roux—brown, blond and white—although all are made in essentially the same way by melting butter and stirring in flour. Roux is used to thicken soups and sauces and is a staple of Cajun and Creole dishes.