Description
Mastering hollandaise sauce requires precise technique and quality ingredients from classic French cuisine. Creamy, tangy emulsification elevates breakfast and brunch dishes you will savor with culinary confidence.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large egg yolks
- ½ cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a slight kick)
Instructions
- Preparation: Position a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water’s surface.
- Egg Emulsion: Whisk egg yolks in the suspended bowl until the mixture transforms into a pale, silky, slightly thickened consistency.
- Butter Integration: Gradually stream melted butter into the yolks while continuously whisking to create a smooth, homogeneous emulsion, preventing potential separation.
- Temperature and Texture: Maintain vigorous whisking as the sauce progressively thickens, developing a luxurious, velvety texture that smoothly coats a spoon.
- Seasoning Refinement: Remove from heat and carefully incorporate fresh lemon juice, salt, and a subtle hint of cayenne pepper, whisking thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Serving: Immediately transfer the hollandaise to a serving dish, preserving its temperature and ensuring maximum flavor intensity for drizzling over eggs Benedict, steamed vegetables, or poached fish.
Notes
- Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk constantly and stream butter slowly to maintain a stable emulsion, avoiding temperature extremes that can cause splitting.
- Master Temperature Control: Use low, gentle heat to prevent egg yolks from scrambling, ensuring a smooth, silky sauce texture without curdling.
- Timing is Critical: Prepare hollandaise sauce just before serving, as it doesn’t hold well and can quickly break or become grainy if left standing.
- Adapt for Dietary Needs: Substitute dairy butter with clarified butter or plant-based alternatives for lactose-free or vegan versions, maintaining the sauce’s rich, creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 347
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 116 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg