How to make low-carb asparagus with hollandaise sauce

Matt Jenner

Contributing Writer

Sometimes, simplicity means elegance! This is definitely true for this classic French side dish, asparagus with hollandaise sauce. Perfectly cooked asparagus spears are topped with a luscious and creamy homemade hollandaise sauce that you can prepare in minutes. The dish is a perfect accompaniment to any fancy home-cooked meal or as a delicious vegetarian side dish any night of the week.

The recipe below shows you how to prepare a quick and easy hollandaise sauce on your stovetop -- a handy skill for any chef to have. You roast the asparagus spears in the oven to give a light charred flavor to the tender vegetable. This recipe is so simple, the entire dish can be ready to eat in just about 20 minutes. Plus, it's an excellent option for anyone living the low-carb lifestyle.

Cooktop Cove

Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce

4-6

5 mins

15 mins

20 mins

1 pound fresh asparagus, about 30-40 spears

2 egg yolks

1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder

1 tablespoon olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 425 F.

Drizzle the asparagus spears with olive oil to evenly coat them, and arrange the spears in a flat layer on a greased baking sheet.

Place the asparagus in the oven until the spears are cooked through and tender, about 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness. In the meantime, prepare the hollandaise sauce.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks until they start to become frothy and paler in color.

Add the lemon juice to the egg yolks, and whisk together to combine.

Transfer the yolk mixture to a saucepan or double boiler over medium-low heat.

Continue to whisk the egg yolks over the heat while slowly adding cubes of butter one at a time, whisking until each cube has melted into the sauce. Once you've added all the butter, whisk until you have reached your desired consistency.

Season your hollandaise with salt, pepper and cayenne powder, to taste.

When the asparagus is cooked, remove it from the oven, and transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle hollandaise sauce over the asparagus, garnish with an optional dash more cayenne powder, and serve hot.

Pro-tip: If your hollandaise sauce becomes too thick, add a teaspoon of water at a time to thin it out.

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