Friday, May 02, 2008

Tofu Benedict Florentine (and the perfect Hollandaise)

I have been on a quest for the perfect vegan Hollandaise for several years now...

I think this is close to perfect, but now, I have to admit I don't remember what "real" Hollandaise tastes like.

I can assure you it is buttery-lemony-eggy delicious though, (OK, tooting my own horn, sorry) and if you're missing Hollandaise, give this a try.

First of all, though, ya gotta make my "Cashew Alfredo Cream Sauce" (Yes, I tend to hate multi-step recipes that require several different sub-recipes before you get to the main point, but you wanted vegan Hollandaise, that's no easy task!!)

This is a great way to use up leftovers of the "Alfredo" sauce. What, you never have leftovers? Well, neither do I, but I was trying to make you feel better about having to make TWO entire recipes. OK, so quit whining and make the Alfredo Sauce already (with maybe less garlic if you want though, it doesn't matter, really).

HOLLANDAISE SAUCE

3/4 cup Cashew Cream Alfredo Sauce
1/4 cup soymilk (optional)
3 T. Earth Balance or Soy Garden Natural Buttery Spread, melted and kept very warm
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp India Black Salt (kala namak or sanchal)*
1/2 tsp. yellow mustard (like French's or any generic stuff)
pinch of white pepper or a dash of hot pepper sauce
tiny pinch of turmeric (less than a 1/16th of a tsp—more makes a phony-looking color)

Heat the Alfredo sauce until simmering (add some soymilk if it's horribly thick) —pour into the blender container along with the Black Salt, pepper or hot sauce, and add the lemon juice and mustard.

Blend well, adding the melted Earth Balance slowly through the hole in the lid while the machine is running. Blend until the mixture is completely mixed.

Taste and adjust seasonings (usually more lemon or mustard, though if it's too strong, add some more soymilk). Pour into saucepan on stove and stir with wire whisk until heated thru.

*This salt has a slightly sulphuric or "eggy" taste. It is an important ingredient for the traditional flavor in the sauce. Most Indian/Asian markets sell it, or you can get it online. It's a staple in our scrambled tofu as well! Good stuff!

**Disclaimer** OK, I have only made this three times. It thickened for me just fine each time, but as with all recipes, I eyeballed the ingredients the first time, I admit. If it DOESN'T THICKEN satisfactorily for you, add 2 teaspoons cornstarch to a little soymilk and mix in to sauce, stir with wire whisk over heat until it thickens.

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For the above, I lightly steamed some spinach, put it on toasted English Muffins with some of my favorite tofu scramble (any recipe you like). Cover with Hollandaise and serve.

10 comments:

Carrie said...

Pure genius! If I can get a hold of the salt I'll have to try it out.

Amy said...

OH YUM! I actually have a whole batch in my freezer ready to go ::blush:: I MUST try this with it! I just have to source black salt in Australia (and lol, I can't believe you just found my post :P We LOVE the cashew alfredo, I always thicken it on the stove top and it thickens every time without fail!)

Cupcake Cult said...

I love your blog and I wish you would adopt me. Your food always looks perfect and delicious.

JENNA said...

wow! this is one recipe i MUST try. i was a egg's benedict fiend when i wasn't a vegan and miss the hollandaise sauce sooo much.

julie hasson said...

Yum! I can't wait to give this recipe a try. Thanks for posting it!!

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

That looks AWESOME!

Bianca said...

Yum! I tried a vegan Hollandaise recipe from Vegetarian Times a few months ago, and it was just okay. Yours looks better...more yellow and creamy...

Lori- the Pleasantly Plump Vegan said...

i dont think i ever had Hollandaise sauce before.

Wheeler's Frozen Dessert said...

That looks delicious!

Unknown said...

This recipe is the answer to my prayers! Well, that's a bit dramatic, but I'm REALLY excited to try it out, since I've been feening for eggs florentine since going vegan. And now I have another reason to check out the Indian grocery down the street!