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Bearnaise Sauce
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5 from 3 votes

Béarnaise Sauce

Béarnaise Sauce is traditionally served with steaks but can also be used with fish, eggs, sandwiches, and steamed vegetable.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Passive time0 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Author: Francine Lizotte
Course: Condiments, Sauces & Marinades
Cuisine: French
Keyword Elegant Cuisine, Gluten Free, Holidays & Events, How To, Low Sodium, Quick & Easy

Ingredients

INFUSED WINE

  • 1/2 cup shallots, finely sliced (Lyonnaise cut) tips & tricks
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine such as Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar (substitute Champagne vinegar)
  • 2 large sprigs tarragon tips & tricks
  • 1 tsp. mixed peppercorns

SAUCE

  • 4 large free-run egg yolks
  • 1 pinch ground Himalayan sea salt, or to taste
  • 3/4 cup lukewarm butter, melted
  • 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice tips & tricks
  • 1 tbsp. fresh tarragon, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. lukewarm water, if needed Footnote

Directions

INFUSED WINE

  • In a medium saucepan, add shallots, white wine, white wine vinegar, tarragon and peppercorns; stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until it reduces to about 3 to 4 tbsp., about 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and strain the mixture through a fine sieve sitting over a small bowl, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible; set aside.

SAUCE

  • In another medium saucepan, add yolks and whisk very well until they get thick, about 1 minute.
  • While whisking, pour in the white wine reduction.
  • Set the heat to medium and season a little bit with salt. While whisking constantly, keep lifting the saucepan off the heat - the trick here is to not shock the yolks by gradually heating them up.
  • When the custard gets thick, move the saucepan away from the heat and whisking continuously, start adding the melted butter, pouring in a few drops at first – remember don’t shock the yolks! Gradually add more until it’s all incorporated.
  • Add lemon juice and fresh chopped tarragon; whisk into the mixture. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. If the sauce gets too thick, add about half a tablespoon of lukewarm water to thin it out.
  • If not using it right away, move to the back burner, keeping the sauce warm on very low temperature. To prevent skin formation, place a piece of wax paper on top, making sure it touches the surface.

Notes

Footnote: If the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of lukewarm water to thin it out while whisking constantly.