Classic French Mousseline Sauce

Pouring sauce over sea bass and mussels

StockFood Creative/Getty Images

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 16 servings

A mousseline sauce is a luxurious, light, smooth and very rich version of a classic Hollandaise sauce. However, the classic has a very generous helping of whipped cream carefully folded into it, making it just gorgeous.

The mousseline is also called a sauce Chantilly, reminiscent of the favorite dessert sauce, Chantilly cream because of the airy cream component. But these two should never be confused and are not substitutes for each other. The mousseline is for savory dishes and the Chantilly, sweet. So perhaps best to skip the second description. 

Mousseline translates as muslin in French, and as this also describes a delicate, light cloth, which neatly sums up the texture needed. As a classic mousseline sauce is so light and airy, you need to think carefully about what to serve the sauce with; it will not hold up to strong, or heavy flavors or textures.  The mousseline needs to be served with other equally delicate textured foods, like fish and eggs.

The eggs used to make this sauce must be as fresh and possible and where possible use free range, preferably organic. They are not cooked for long in the recipe, so freshness is paramount. 

Ingredients

  • 3 large egg yolks, from fresh, free-range eggs

  • 1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

  • 1 dash salt, or to taste

  • 1/2 cup whipped cream, measured after whipping

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Place the 3 egg yolks and 2 tablespoons of the melted butter into a small saucepan. Using a small whisk, whisk the 2 together over very low heat, do not rush this process or the eggs will scramble.  

  3. Continue whisking the butter into this egg mixture, 2 teaspoons at a time, until all the butter is thoroughly incorporated into the sauce by which time, the sauce will be thick, smooth, and glossy. Do not rush this process, it cannot be done quickly, the key to success is to slowly, slowly and do not be tempted to raise the heat. 

  4. Whisk the lemon juice and salt into the resulting hollandaise sauce, and then continue stirring it for 1 minute longer to cook the sauce through. 

  5. Whip the cream to light, soft peaks by hand or using an electric mixer making sure you do not overwhip.

  6. Remove the sauce from the heat, and using a metal tablespoon, gently fold (not stir or beat) in the unsweetened whipped cream. The lighter your touch here, the lighter the finished sauce will be.

  7. Serve immediately.

  8. Enjoy.

Raw Egg Warning

Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of foodborne illness.

Tips

  • When folding in the cream, the lighter your touch here, the lighter the finished sauce will be.
  • If you can't serve immediately and you need to keep the sauce, it does not hold for long but is best set over a bowl of hot water with an occasional flick of the whisk to keep it holding the shape, but 15 minutes is the maximum time.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
114 Calories
12g Fat
0g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 114
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 16%
Saturated Fat 8g 38%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 16mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 12mg 0%
*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.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags: