Create a fresh tartar sauce to accompany any fish or seafood dish.
This everyday condiment is actually a classic French sauce. Made with fresh ingredients, "sauce tartare," or tartar sauce, is a staple to accompany fish or seafood. Instead of reaching for a jar of commercially prepared tartar sauce, take a few minutes to create your own. A bottled version simply can't compete with a fresh, homemade sauce. You will also be able to modify the sauce to your taste or to accent a particular type of fish. Most of the work involves making the mayonnaise base; the secret is to add the oil sparingly and slowly at the beginning of the process to create the emulsion.
Instructions
Mayonnaise
1. Place the two egg yolks, ½ tbsp. vinegar, ½ tsp. each of salt and dry mustard and a pinch of cayenne in a blender or food processor. Mix until it forms a smooth paste.
2. Keep the machine running and slowly add the salad oil in small dribbles. Pause about 30 seconds between each addition.
3. Gradually add more oil in a thin stream once the mixture has started to thicken.
4. Continue to add the oil until the mayonnaise has formed a thick consistency. You may not need to use all of the oil. If the mayonnaise is too thick, add 1 tbsp. of vinegar and incorporate it. Flavor to your taste with 1 to 2 tbsp. of lemon juice and some white pepper.
Tartar Sauce
5. Place the cornichons, capers and shallot in a food processor to chop and combine them or chop them by hand and place them in a blender.
6. Chop the herbs by hand and add them together with the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice and white pepper to the blender or food processor. Mix for about 8 seconds until well-blended. Scrape down the sides with a spatula.
7. Run the machine and slowly add the ¼ cup of olive oil in a thin stream.
8. Scrape the tartar sauce from the bowl of the machine and place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate the sauce and allow the flavors to meld for 24 hours before use.
Tags: tartar sauce, food processor, about seconds, accompany fish, accompany fish seafood, blender food, blender food processor