Keep Whisking

Photo by Stacey Spensley

As a young cook, the most difficult sauce for me to learn was Hollandaise; an emulsion of egg yolks and butter. It is a classic, velvety-rich sauce most commonly found atop Eggs Benedict. Its difficulty comes from the fact that there is no simple recipe that guarantees success. To make Hollandaise properly, one must develop a refined sensitivity, knowing exactly when the eggs have thickened enough without overcooking and “breaking” the sauce, all while whisking continuously.

That constant, uninterrupted whisking is where many cooks struggle. They simply cannot keep going.

The reality is that there are no shortcuts to classical Hollandaise. While modern techniques offer alternatives, the traditional method requires patience and persistence. I had to learn to keep whisking, trusting the process even when it seems like nothing was happening. Then, suddenly, it all comes together. The egg yolks, butter, heat, and the steady effort unite, and the sauce comes alive.

I’m not sharing this to inspire you to make Hollandaise—though if you feel compelled, by all means give it a try. Rather, I share it because resilience is much like making Hollandaise. It is the ability to keep whisking when you are tired, uncertain, or tempted to stop. It is the ability to continue without breaking.

I see zazen as the tool Zen gives us to become more resilient. As Hakuin writes in the Zazen Wasan, “As for zazen, there are no words to fully praise its merits.” Through the simple act of sitting, day after day, zazen becomes the whisking. It is the steady practice that allows all the elements of our lives to come together without falling apart.