Final answer:
The statement that Beurre Blanc is made with whole butter is true. Beurre Blanc is a French sauce that involves whisking cold, whole butter into a reduction of white wine and shallots to create an emulsified butter sauce.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement Beurre Blanc is made with whole butter is true. The classic Beurre Blanc, also known as white butter sauce, is a traditional French sauce that is primarily composed of butter, white wine, and shallots. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how Beurre Blanc is typically made:
- Start by reducing white wine, vinegar, and finely chopped shallots in a saucepan until the mixture is nearly dry.
- Add cream (if used) and let it reduce slightly. This is optional as some recipes may not use cream.
- On very low heat, gradually incorporate cubes of cold, whole butter into the reduction while constantly whisking. By doing so, you emulsify the butter, allowing it to thicken the sauce without separating.
- Once all the butter is emulsified, the sauce is strained to remove the shallot pieces, and then seasoned with salt, white pepper, and sometimes lemon juice for acidity.
This sauce requires that butter remain in a solid state prior to being incorporated into the sauce, hence, whole butter is indeed used. The term whole butter refers to butter that has not been melted or altered in any way before it is whisked into the sauce.