A variation of Hollandaise Sauce, Béarnaise Sauce is creamy, flavourful and pairs well with fish, vegetables and simply cooked meats. It is a requirement for Veal Oscar. Chervil and dry vermouth are optional ingredients. Bearnaise Sauce is named for Bearn, France, the birthplace of its creator, Chef Jules Colette.
INGREDIENTS:
1 tsp tarragon, chopped
2 tsp shallots, chopped
2 oz white wine vinegar
4 egg yolks
8 oz Anchor Butter
1 lemon
METHOD:
Melt butter in a medium saucepan and keep warm.
In another saucepan, add 1 oz butter, tarragon, shallots and sauté for a minute over medium heat. Drizzle in white wine vinegar, sprinkle with ground black pepper and allow to reduce over medium-low heat until liquid is almost gone.
Remove from heat and whisk in 4 egg yolks and 2 tsp of water. Reduce heat to low/simmer and whisk the mixture constantly as it cooks for another minute.* Do not allow eggs to separate or start to scramble, or form a crust.
Remove from heat and drop in melted butter at a slow and steady drip, continuously whisking until mixture emulsifies. Squeeze in the juice of a half lemon, season with salt and pepper to taste and whisk again to finish.
* This step can also be done in metal or glass bowl over a pot of simmering water or a double boiler.
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