Mock Béarnaise Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 shallot or small onion, very finely minced OR ¼ tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp fresh tarragon, minced OR ½ tsp dried tarragon
  • 6 tbsp butter, softened
  • 4 tbsp real mayonnaise
  • Pepper
Mock Béarnaise Sauce

Photo: gerarduui We W Aalw S S cohen / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Procedure

  1. If using onion powder and dried tarragon, combine them with 2 tbsp water in a microwaveable measuring cup or small bowl. Microwave for about 6 seconds, then set aside.
  2. Soften the butter in the microwave, stopping the oven every 5 seconds to mash and stir the butter until it is very soft but not liquid.
  3. In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, microwave the mayonnaise for 5 seconds.
  4. Remove mayonnaise from the microwave, and beat in the butter a teaspoonful at a time.
  5. Stir in the onion, tarragon, and pepper.
  6. Test the temperature; if it is not warm enough, heat it for 6 seconds at a time in the microwave, stirring each time. Do not overheat or it might separate; it should be warm not hot.

Notes, tips, and variations

  • The same method may be used to make a mock hollandaise sauce, omitting the herbs and adding a teaspoonful of lemon juice.