Steamed Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
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Steamed asparagus with hollandaise sauce is a classic French-inspired dish featuring tender, crisp asparagus spears topped with a rich, creamy emulsion of egg yolks, butter, and lemon juice. The primary ingredients are fresh asparagus, unsalted butter, egg yolks, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt or cayenne for seasoning. This elegant preparation is widely popular in Western cuisine, particularly in French and Continental European dining.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in fat due to the butter-based hollandaise sauce, while the asparagus provides a good source of fiber, vitamins A, C, K, and folate. A typical serving (about 10-12 asparagus spears with 2-3 tablespoons of sauce) contains roughly 200-250 calories, with most coming from the sauce's fat content.
💡 What's interesting
Hollandaise sauce is one of the five French 'mother sauces' and requires careful emulsification to avoid separation, making it a test of culinary skill. Asparagus is also nutritionally unique as a natural source of inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports gut health, and it has been cultivated as a delicacy since ancient Roman times.