How to Make an Easy Hollandaise Sauce

Making a great hollandaise sauce is a mark of a well-trained, highly experienced cook--unless you use the microwave oven to make it fast. There's no need to manage a double boiler over just the right low heat when this recipe just takes 5 minutes from start to finish. The recipe makes about 1/2 cup, which is delicious over eggs, fish, asparagus and broccoli.

Things You'll Need

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 tbs. lemon juice
• 2 egg yolks
• Dash salt
• 1/4 tsp. dry mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp. dry cayenne
• 1/4 tsp. dry tarragon (optional)
• 1 qt. casserole dish

Instructions

1. Separate two eggs. Keep the whites for another recipe. Set the yolks aside until the butter is melted.

2. Place 1/3 cup of butter into a 1-qt. casserole dish. Heat the butter in the microwave on high power until it is melted, which usually takes about 1 minute. Remove the dish from the microwave.

3. Toss in the egg yolks, salt, mustard powder, cayenne and tarragon. Use a whisk to beat the mixture until it is thoroughly combined.

4. Heat the mixture in the microwave on high power for 45 seconds. Remove it from the microwave. Beat it again and return it to the microwave for another 45 seconds.

5. Drizzle the lemon yellow buttery hot sauce over asparagus, eggs Benedict or fish. Don't tell anyone that you made it in the microwave and they'll never guess.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute basil, thyme, oregano or rosemary for the tarragon. Instead of cayenne, you can use a dash of Tabasco sauce or, for a sweeter result, mace.

Resources

• About Sauces