Traditional Creamed Onions

24 white pearl onions 4 cups water 6 tbsp butter 6 tbsp flour 3 cups milk salt & pepper to taste Peel onions & drop in boiling water. Cook until tender. Drain reserving liquid. Set onions aside while you make the sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to make a paste. Mix together cooking water & milk. Add milk mixture slowly to the butter stirring constantly & cook till thick, Add salt & pepper. Add onions & transfer to serving dish.