Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
Monday, December 8, 2008 by Pam
This recipe for hollandaise sauce was given to me by my Aunt Penny. It was my Grandmother Pidgeon's original recipe (my father's mother). It's rich, lemony and so good. I always make this hollandaise sauce for special occasions because it's so decadent and delicious. This is very special to me because it's the only recipe I have from my grandmother. You can use this over many different vegetables, meats, seafood or on top of eggs benedict.Hollandaise Sauce:
- 5 egg yolks
- 1 tbsp water
- 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice (use less if you don't want it too tart)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Scant pinch of cayenne
- 2 1/2 cubes of butter, melted
Whisk the egg yolks and lemon juice together in a bowl until the mixture is thoroughly mixed. Place the bowl over a saucepan containing simmering water. The water should NOT touch the bottom of the bowl. Continue to whisk the eggs. Be careful not to let the eggs get too hot or they will scramble. Slowly pour in the melted butter and continue to whisk until the sauce is thick. Remove from heat and whisk in the salt and cayenne. Cover and place in a warm spot until ready to use for the asparagus. If the sauce gets too thick, whisk in a few drops of warm water before serving.
Note: Omit the salt if you use salted butter
Asparagus:
- 1 large bunch of asparagus, cleaned and trimmed of the ends
Heat a large pot of water over high heat until boiling. Clean and trim the asparagus of the woody ends. Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook for 1 1/2 minutes for thin asparagus and 2 minutes for thick. Remove from boiling water and place into ice water immediately to stop the cooking process. Serve with hollandaise sauce and enjoy!
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It is decadent, but all special occasions require a bit of decadence to make them truly special. It's a great recipe, Pam.
Your presentation is so beautiful! I'll have to try this sauce for eggs benedict.
Thanks for posting. I love the idea of the combination of asparagus and hollaindaise sauce.
Pam, this looks delicious. I love the colors too! Your homemade pumpkin pie looks yummy..and that crust is beautiful. I have something for you on my blog. Stop by soon!
What a classic yet timeless combination. Fantastic!
That's a beautiful photo that brings out the yummy goodness of asparagus! I could really use some of that hollandaise sauce that you have made to make a very tasty lasagna. i'm drooling over this sauce;-)
Would you believe I've never made Hollandaise? I don't even think I've had it (apart from maybe once on eggs benedict)! That looks like the most decadent way to have asparagus, ever-- yum!
Looks wonderful, Pam :)
Looks gorgeous! I love how green and perfectly cooked your asparagus looks!
Wow that sauce looks so creamy! :) Yum
The hollandaise sauce has me drooling. I heard that once you pour the sauce, all of the calories leak out. Is that true? ;-)
I love this combination.
I have them with white asperagus when they are in season. Never cooked green ones.
That looks delicious! I have never made my own sauce before!
ohh. i have a husband that loves hollandaise sauce. this looks like it would be right up his alley :) and beautiful pic!
This is always a must at every family holiday! It's also one of my favorites. I always try to tell myself the asparagus negates the sauce.....
This makes 2 beautiful asparagus sides today, and I don't even have any in the house. Sad day. I love hollandaise!
I think this has to be one of the most perfect accompaniments for a good roast meal.
AV
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What a wonderful buffet dish! Just beautiful!
Mmmmmm. Asparagus and hollandaise. My mother used to make this all the time.
My favorite veggie! The platter looks fantastic!
What a gorgeous side!
Oh now your talking my kinda language. I love hollandaise and making your own so so much more special!
So creamy and delicious!? Love it!
Hmmm, hollandaise is why I love eggs benedict!!!!
wow what a great photo! I love asparagus too! I never had hollandaise sauce, I've been meaning to try it out some day
I can't believe I've never had a hollandaise sauce!
Such a rich, decadent and fantastic sauce. I love those thin asparagus stalks. You usually can't go wrong with those in terms of fresh flavor. Looks wonderful!
There's something so delectable about asparagus. mmm good stuff
this looks soo good. i've never had asparagus like this but it looks so good especially with that sauce.
IT LOOKS DELICIOUS, BUT I HAVE NEVER EATEN ASPARAGUS BEFORE. I'LL TRY IT ON MY NEXT SPECIAL OCCASION!!
That hollandaise sauce looks nice a thick and creamy and good! Hollandaise sauce is so good!
something about asparagus is so elegant to me, and topping it with your tried-and-true sauce is a marvelous touch--bravo. :)
Hi I'm a South African, please can you give me a metric mesurement for the butter in the sauce?
Michelle Jamie,
I don't know much about metric measurments but I did find this site... I hope it helps.
http://www.miketodd.net/encyc/cooking.htm
My grandma was the first person to allow me in her kitchen. At about age 5 or 6 she used to let me use her left-over pastry to make jam pasties. :-) So I know your kid's will remember cooking with mum.
It's lovely that you still have your grandma's recipe, her hollandaise looks and sounds perfect.
Thanks
My 1st attempt making this sauce was a total disaster. I was using microwave at that time. I will try your method in future as it gives more control in getting a smooth texture. Tks for sharing such a great recipe from grandma! Excellent photos too!
I really want to make this, but my only question is this: exactly how much is "2 1/2 CUBES of butter"? Is that like sticks? Tablespoons? How much is 1 cube equivalent to? Thanks so much, I really can't wait to try this. I absolutely love it with every thing! Have you ever had steak or chicken oscar, which also uses hollandaise (among other things)?
anja3582,
Yes, 2 1/2 cubes = 2 1/2 sticks. The sticks in the US equal 1/2 cup so it would be 1 1/4 cup of butter. Hope this helps.
Pam, thank you for your wonderful blog. I love all of the recipes because they are so accessible, yet still creative.
Your hollandaise sauce looks great. I have a recipe for a simple Hollandaise sauce made in a blender, for anyone who's interested. It's on my new blog at http://culinspiration.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/hollandaise-sauce/