Asparagus with Lemon Sauce

(12)

If you're a fan of hollandaise, you'll adore this creamy lemon sauce. Drizzle leftovers on poached eggs, baked potatoes or grilled chicken.

Asparagus with Lemon Sauce
Photo: Chia Chong
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
2 1/2 cups Meyer Lemon Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 lemon or Meyer lemon

  • 6 egg yolks

  • ½ cup cold water

  • ½ cup butter, melted

  • ½ teaspoon sea salt

  • Pinch cayenne pepper

  • 2 ¼ pound asparagus, trimmed

  • ½ tablespoon Chive blossoms, snipped fresh chives, or edible flowers

Directions

  1. For lemon sauce, finely shred 1 teaspoon peel from lemon and juice lemon to get 5 teaspoons; set peel and juice aside. In a large heatproof bowl whisk together egg yolks and the 1/2 cup cold water until light and mixture expands four times in size (about 5 minutes). Place bowl over a large saucepan of simmering water (bowl should not touch water) and continue to whisk for 4 minutes. With bowl still over simmering water, use a rubber spatula to scrape sides of bowl and fold mixture until eggs reach 160°F. Remove from heat. Gradually whisk in butter, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper.

  2. Meanwhile, in a large pot cook asparagus in boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain. Transfer asparagus to a large bowl of ice water to cool. Drain. Serve with lemon sauce. Top with lemon peel and chive blossoms.

Don't Curdle Your Eggs

While beating egg mixture over the simmering water, make sure to use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl. Don't allow egg to cook onto the side of the bowl.

Tips

Cook asparagus as directed. Transfer to a storage container; cover and chill for up to 24 hours. Transfer to a platter. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

157 Calories
15g Fat
3g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 157
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 169mg 56%
Sodium 247mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 4.8mg 24%
Calcium 37mg 3%
Iron 1.7mg 9%
Potassium 146mg 3%
Folate, total 43.4mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.3mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.1mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Related Articles