Asparagus with Hollandaise sauce - tender asparagus with an easy brown butter Hollandaise sauce that’s made in a blender. An easy yet elegant side perfect for low carb diets.
My aunt was the first person who served Asparagus with Hollandaise sauce to me. A talented gourmet cook, she delighted in serving great tasting food to family and friends. Her Hollandaise sauce was so perfect and rich with buttery flavor that it showed me how wonderful asparagus could be.
I'm sure my Aunt Persus used a traditional method for making Hollandaise sauce, where egg yolk and butter are whisked continuously over low heat until the eggs thicken and the butter emulsifies into a rich luscious sauce. It sounds easy - and it is, but I have scrambled my egg yolks many times over the years. Just a smidge too much heat or a moment of distraction can take a Hollandaise sauce from sublime to destruction! This recipe cheats by using a blender!
If you haven't made Hollandaise sauce in a blender then you are in for a treat. It’s as simple as adding hot melted butter to a slow-running blender containing egg yolks, lemon juice, and a little water. I’ve shared this recipe previously in my post on easy blender Hollandaise, but I decided to vary the recipe by browning the butter for this easy asparagus dish. Brown butter Hollandaise sauce anyone?
As I’ve said, asparagus with Hollandaise sauce is a wonderfully elegant side dish. It’s perfect for a dinner party or for special meals at Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, or Mother’s Day. But, I hope you don’t save serving asparagus with Hollandaise sauce just for special occasions. It’s the perfect low carb side to serve with beef, lamb, or even chicken - any time of the year.
What makes this recipe special is browning the butter in a frying pan and then adding it to the egg yolks. I swear this is why my Aunt’s asparagus with Hollandaise was so delicious. Also, using a good quality butter like Finlandia or Plugra can really add to the richness and buttery taste. Since good quality European style butter is more expensive, I save that purchase for when I really want to impress.
Let me talk about Hollandaise sauce for a minute. An acid is generally added to enhance the flavor of the sauce - lemon or white vinegar are traditional. Start with 1 teaspoon and only increase by ½ teaspoon at a time. The sauce should be balanced with the butter flavor predominant. The lemon should enhance but not overpower - it shouldn't be sour, but a little tartness is fine.
I like using salted butter in my Hollandaise and believe that it seasons the sauce perfectly. If you use unsalted, add a pinch of salt at a time until the sauce tastes “good”, but not salty. Adding a little cayenne pepper and white pepper to a Hollandaise sauce brings out a nice savory flavor. I add just a touch more seasoning when I plan to make the sauce for asparagus than I would for say poached eggs.
Enjoy!
Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce is 2 net carbs per serving.
Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon water
- salt and pepper to taste
Hollandaise Sauce
- 4 ounces salted butter
- 2 large egg yolks
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1-2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (or white vinegar)
- 1-2 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1-2 pinch white pepper
Instructions
Preparation:
- If the asparagus is medium to large in thickness, cut 1 inch off of the bottoms and lightly peel the stalks with a vegetable peeler. I start about ⅓ from the top and continue to the bottom of each spear. If the asparagus is thin, hold a spear towards the bottom and bend it until it snaps. Cut the remaining spears to the same length. Separate the eggs, reserving the whites for another use.
Asparagus:
- Place the asparagus in a microwave safe bowl and add 1 tablespoon of water. Cover with plastic wrap and cook at high power from 1 ½ - 2 ½ minutes depending on your microwave. Drain off the water and keep covered. Alternately, blanch the asparagus in boiling water until it is crisp tender, drain, and keep warm.
Blender Hollandaise
- Add the egg yolks, 1 tablespoon of water, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and the mustard to a blender. Place the lid on top and remove the middle piece. Place the butter in a medium to large frying pan and melt the butter over medium heat. Turn the heat up to medium high and gently swirl the pan every few moments. When the solids in the bottom of the pan just begin to turn brown, turn off the heat. Turn the blender on low and begin pouring the hot butter into the blender, leaving the brown solids behind in the pan.
- After the butter has been incorporated, add the cayenne pepper and white pepper and blend. Taste. Adjust seasoning with more acid, salt or pepper. Pour over the asparagus and serve immediately. Serves 4.
linda m
what would you serve with this...it sounds so good and I am gonna try it
Kim Hardesty
Hi Linda. This recipe goes well with any protein - steak, fish, poultry, pork, lamb or shellfish. -Kim
Kate
Microwaving veggies depletes all nutritional value. It would be great if you could explain how to get nice tender asparagus spears without over or under cooking them. Thanks
Kim
Thank you, Kate. I have made a note about adding the additional information to the post. Have a wonderful day! -Kim
Ioana
Sounds divine. I am a huge fan of brown butter coffee, but making hollandaise sauce with brown butter seems to be insanely delicious.
Kim
It is, Ioana. The subtle nuttiness is nice. I'll have to try that browned butter coffee. -Kim
Vivian
Another fantastic recipe! We loved this!! So easy to make and so delicious!! Thank you!!
Kim
Hooray! So glad you liked it, Vivian. Enjoy your week. -Kim
Adina
I absolutely love this dish, it is one of my favorite asparagus dishes in spring. I don't normally like to use so much butter when cooking but I always make an exception when it comes to sauce hollandaise, it is heavenly!
Kim
Thanks Adina. I don't typically make the sauce or use quite so much butter either, but will for a special occasion. It's luscious. Have a wonderful weekend. - Kim
Carole
James and I tried your Asparagus with Brown Butter Hollandaise last night and we both found it scrumptious. As you suggested the brown butter added a wonderful depth of flavor that isn't apparent in regular Hollandaise. It was rich, flavorful, and satiating, And because it's so quick and easy to prepare, it's a perfect accompaniment to either every day or special occasion meals. Thank you for your clever "hack."
Kim
Oh good, Carole, I'm so glad that you and James liked it. Even my husband, who is not an asparagus lover, ate several spears with the Hollandaise on it. I hope you are enjoying a nice Spring. Thinking of you. -Kim
Carole
What a BRILLIANT idea! I absolutely love browned butter and often use it by itself on veggies. This is a terrific idea that will help "up" the sumptuousness of the asparagus. Thanks for another fantastic recipe!
Kim
Thanks Carole. I hope you like it. I know you will let me know if I am off the mark or hit it out of the park! Have a wonderful rest of the week, my friend. -Kim