A Cheeky Cheat's Hollandaise Sauce

A Luxurious Treat Made Easy: Cheat’s Hollandaise Sauce

If, like me, you consider hollandaise sauce a real luxury treat, you’ll be overjoyed to discover a simple method for making a cheat’s version of it.

The Classic vs. The Cheat’s Version

From time to time, I do make the original, authentic version of hollandaise. This is perfect for a rare, lazy weekend brunch. However, given the amount of butter it uses, it’s wise to reserve it for those very special occasions. Making it the traditional way can be a bit risky, as it’s prone to splitting and needs to be served immediately to be at its best. While the blender version seems more reliable, I’ve never tried it because assembling and cleaning the blender for a small amount of sauce feels disproportionate. Instead, I sought an alternative that is equally delicious but much easier to make.

The Challenge

My goals were clear: the alternative sauce needed to involve just one pan, be reliably reproducible, and be able to be heated so I could serve it warm. The challenge was on!

Recreating the Flavors

Traditional hollandaise is an emulsion of egg yolk, melted butter, and an acid, usually lemon juice or vinegar, often seasoned with cayenne pepper. To reproduce similar flavors and texture, I used these base ingredients as the starting point for my alternative sauce.

A Quick and Easy Option

While the end product is not exactly guilt-free, it offers a quick and easy option that can be made in advance and enjoyed in the same way as traditional hollandaise.

Ingredients for Cheat’s Hollandaise Sauce

• 2 large heaped tablespoons of creme fraiche

• 1 large heaped tablespoon of mayonnaise

• 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard

• A generous pinch of cayenne pepper

• A good squeeze of lemon juice

• A grind of salt

• 2 teaspoons of butter (melted gently in the microwave)

  
  

Method

1. Mix all the ingredients (minus the butter) together in a pan, or a bowl if you want to make it in advance.

2. When ready to use, add the mix to a small pan.

3. Heat gently while stirring the sauce, but do not allow it to boil.

4. Once warmed through, stir in the melted butter and serve immediately.

   
   

Serving Suggestion

Here, I’ve used the sauce to adorn my poached eggs, smoked salmon, and spinach on a toasted muffin. It’s perfect for brunch or a light weekend lunch.

Here are some delicious ways to use your hollandaise sauce once it’s made:

1. Eggs Benedict: The classic choice! Pour your hollandaise over poached eggs, ham or bacon, and a toasted English muffin.

2. Eggs Florentine: Similar to Eggs Benedict, but with sautéed spinach instead of ham or bacon.

3. Asparagus: Drizzle it over steamed or roasted asparagus for a simple yet elegant side dish.

4. Fish: Serve it with grilled or poached fish, such as salmon or cod, to add a rich, creamy element.

5. Vegetables: Use it as a dip for a variety of steamed vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans.

6. Steak: A luxurious topping for a perfectly cooked steak, adding a touch of decadence.

7. Crab Cakes: Enhance the flavor of crab cakes by serving them with a dollop of hollandaise.

8. Potatoes: Pour it over roasted or boiled potatoes for a creamy twist.

9. Sandwiches: Use it as a spread for sandwiches or wraps to add a gourmet touch.

10. Brussels Sprouts: Toss roasted Brussels sprouts with hollandaise for a delicious side dish.

    
    

These ideas should help you make the most of your luxurious cheat’s hollandaise sauce. Just don't tell anyone how easy it was!