Versatile Hollandaise Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• Put the butter inside a heatproof bowl or glass measuring cup and set it in a basin of simmering water. Let it heat until the butter is melted.
• Carefully spoon off the white residue on top of the clear yellow liquid in the center. Carefully pour off and reserve the yellow liquid. Discard the milky bottom portion.
• Combine the egg yolks and water, beating rapidly with a wire whisk. Place the saucepan in a larger basin of simmering water, beating constantly. Gradually add the clear yellow liquid, beating constantly while heating the mixture in the simmering water. Do not overheat. Beat and heat until the sauce has the consistency of a thin mayonnaise.
• Add the salt, cayenne pepper and lemon juice and blend thoroughly.

Steps:

• Add egg yolks to a small saucepan; whisk until lemon yellow and slightly thick, about 1 minute. Whisk in lemon juice.
• Add 2 tablespoons cold butter, and place over very low heat. Whisk constantly while butter is melting, and continue whisking until thick enough to see the pan between strokes. Remove pan from heat, and beat in 1 tablespoon cold butter. Repeat. Whisk in melted butter a little bit at a time. Season with salt and white pepper to taste.

Steps:

• Place the top of a double boiler or a heatproof bowl over a pan of hot water on low heat. Place yolks, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a blender with 1/4 cup water. Puree until smooth. While machine is running, slowly drizzle in hot butter. Use immediately, or transfer to double boiler and keep warm over very low heat, whisking occasionally. Do not allow mixture to get too hot, or it may curdle.