Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce

Last night I made the easiest and quickest meal ever... Cedar Plank Salmon with lemon wedges, Grilled Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce, grapes, and wheat bread! I LOVE hollandaise sauce but never have the time required to stand and whisk for forever until it is perfectly smooth and thickened. I got the idea to use my vita-mix... looked online... and we have a new favorite recipe! So easy and so quick. Virtually no mess but your blender... I did melt my butter in the microwave in a small dish.... and kicked up the cayenne pepper... and it is oh so yummy. (It's not a vita-mix recipe so may work in any blender, since you add the butter when it is melted and warm!)

Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter (if using salted butter, skip the added salt)

METHOD

1 Melt the butter slowly in a small pot. Try not to let it boil – you want the moisture in the butter to remain there and not steam away.

2 Add the egg yolks, lemon juice, salt and cayenne (if using) into your blender. Blend the egg yolk mixture at a medium to medium high speed until it lightens in color, about 20-30 seconds. The friction generated by the blender blades will heat the yolks a bit. The blending action will also introduce a little air into them, making your hollandaise a bit lighter.

3 Once the yolks have lightened in color, turn the blender down to its lowest setting (if you only have one speed on your blender it will still work), and drizzle in the melted butter slowly, while the blender is going. Continue to buzz for another couple seconds after the butter is all incorporated.

4 Turn off the blender and taste the sauce. It should be buttery, lemony and just lightly salty. If it is not salty or lemony enough, you can add a little lemon juice or salt to taste. If you want a thinner consistency, add a little warm water. Pulse briefly to incorporate the ingredients one more time.

Store until needed in a warm spot, like on or next to the stovetop. Use within an hour or so.

Makes about 1 cup of sauce, good for about 4-6 servings.