Foolproof Eggs Benedict Recipe (2024)

Why It Works

  • Our foolproof two-minute hollandaise uses hot butter and an immersion blender to create a creamy, light, perfect hollandaise in a fraction of the time that it takes to make a traditional batch. And it's much easier.
  • The secret to foolproof poached eggs is to drain them in a strainer before gently lowering them into a pot of hot water. This eliminates all of the annoying, excess wispy whites.

Have you ever noticed that as your relationship with a person evolves, your assessment of their personality goes up and down in waves? When I first met my wife, our relationship went through its "oh my goodness, this is so simple and easy!" phase, soon followed by the "WTF? She is the most complicated and impossible to understand woman in the world" phase, before settling down into its current "OK, once you get to understand the underlying issues, it's actually all rather simple again" phase.

Foolproof Eggs Benedict Recipe (1)

My relationship with eggs Benedict followed a similar course. Ingredients list? Simple. Eggs, butter, lemon juice, Canadian bacon, and English muffin. Just throw them all together and you've got the world's greatest brunch, right?

That was before I realized that poaching eggs is the most difficult way to cook them and that hollandaise will curdle or break if you accidentally look at it wrong.Eggs Benedict,I said to the eggs one day while working on the line in the middle of a brunch service, I willneverunderstand you, and maybe it's time we reevaluate our relationship and perhaps take a step back to the stage where we're merely providing carnal pleasure for each other, with none of the messiness that comes with more serious intimacy.

But no, we sought counseling in the form of incessant testing, practice, and research, and have now successfully managed to achieve that state in our relationship where things are finally simple again.

Once you've mastered a couple of basic techniques and learned a few tricks, you'll be happy to know that this same relationship is firmly within your grasp as well. You too will be able to partake in the pleasure of puncturing a snow-white, perfectly-shaped poached egg, napped in light, buttery-smooth hollandaise, and watching as that golden yolk spills out and spreads slowly over the crisply fried ham below, dripping over its edges and getting caught in the nooks and crannies of a toasted English muffin.

The real trick is something I've already revealed in the past: once you learn how to makefoolproof poached eggsandfoolproof hollandaise, the rest is a snap.

Foolproof Poached Eggs

The first step to perfect eggs Benedict is poached eggs. I like to poach my eggs in advance. They can be stored in a bowl of cold water in the fridge for up to a few days before you serve them. All you need to do is reheat them in hot tap water for a few minutes before serving.

The real difficulty with poached eggs lies in the fact that there is a lot of loose, liquid-y egg white that floats and sets in thin wisps as the eggs cook. The key to perfect poached eggs? Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove that excess white before you lower the eggs into a pot of not-quite-simmering water.

Foolproof Hollandaise Sauce

Hollandaise was the bane of my existence for many years, back when I used to make it by hand at a restaurant every morning.

These days, it's become so darn easy to make that I could use it in place of milk for my cereal in the morning and it wouldn't add much time to my routine. I may try that.

With traditional hollandaise, you'd whisk egg yolks with lemon juice over a double boiler until thickened and frothy, then slowly drizzle inclarified butterto form a thick, mayonnaise-like emulsion. My foolproof version dispenses with all of this. Instead, you simply put the yolks and lemon juice in a cup, then with a hand blender running in it, slowly drizzle in hot melted butter. The hot butter cooks the egg yolks as it emulsifies and you end up with a sauce that is indistinguishable from the real deal, all in about two minutes. Check out the video below for more details.

Putting It All Together

Once the eggs and hollandaise are done, you're pretty much home free. All that's left is to fry up some slices of Canadian bacon or ham steak (I find that frying gently in butter produces the crispest edgiest and best browning for the tastiest results), then toast a couple of split English muffins, and you're ready to assemble the unrivaled King of Brunch.

If you must, you can adorn his head with some black pepper and chopped herbs like parsley or chives, but only if youreallymust.

Pro-Tip: learning how to get to this stage with your eggs Benedict will greatly facilitate your journey towards reaching the equivalent stage with your partner.

June 2014

Recipe Details

Foolproof Eggs Benedict Recipe

Serves4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • 8 slices Canadian bacon or ham steak, cut into English muffin-sized pieces

  • 4 buttered and toasted English muffins

  • 8 foolproof poached eggs, drained(see notes)

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 recipefoolproof hollandaise, kept warm (see notes)

  • Minced fresh parsley or chives (optional)

Directions

  1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat until foaming. Add ham slices and cook, turning occasionally, until heated through, golden brown, and crisp on both sides. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

    Foolproof Eggs Benedict Recipe (2)

  2. Divide English muffin halves between 4 plates. Place 1 ham slice on each English muffin half and top with one drained egg. Season eggs with salt and pepper.

    Foolproof Eggs Benedict Recipe (3)

  3. Spoon warm hollandaise over each egg. Sprinkle with parsley or chives (if using) and serve immediately.

    Foolproof Eggs Benedict Recipe (4)

Notes

Poached eggs can be stored in a bowl of warm water until ready to place on English muffins. They can also be cooked up to three days ahead, stored in a bowl of water in the refrigerator. To reheat, add the eggs to a bowl of hot tap water and let them sit for at least 15 minutes.

Hollandaise should be made just before cooking ham and toasting English muffins. It can be kept warm in a covered pot on a warm spot of the stove. Do not reheat directly over a flame or it will curdle and break.

Foolproof Eggs Benedict Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret of Eggs Benedict? ›

Hollandaise can break, which means the butter and eggs will separate. The secret is all in the butter–make sure the butter is hot, but not too hot, add it slowly, and don't add too much!

What is the basic formula for hollandaise? ›

In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks, lemon juice, cold water, salt and pepper. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Gradually whisk yolk mixture into butter. Continue whisking over low heat for 8 minutes, or until sauce is thickened.

Are eggs supposed to be runny in Eggs Benedict? ›

The eggs should cook for 3-4 minutes so the egg white is fully cooked but the yolk remains runny. Use a slotted spoon to remove the eggs from the water and serve immediately. Bon appetit!

What is a true Eggs Benedict? ›

Eggs Benedict is a traditional American breakfast and brunch recipe that originated in New York City. It consists of an English muffin, cut in half, toasted, and topped with Canadian bacon, poached eggs, and classic French hollandaise sauce.

What is the difference between eggs royale and Eggs Benedict? ›

Eggs royale is similar to Eggs Benedict or florentine but uses smoked salmon instead of ham or spinach. Using cold butter rather than warm, melted butter means the sauce takes a few extra minutes to come together, but there's far less risk of it splitting – worth the time we think.

Why is Eggs Benedict so expensive? ›

The two eggs any style plates are usually priced low because of the volume they make, the ease to put it together. Eggs Benedict is often much more because of the number of items needed as well as the time to make poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.

How do you make Martha Stewart hollandaise sauce? ›

In a blender, combine egg yolks, water, lemon juice, and salt; blend until frothy. Heat butter in the microwave or in a small saucepan over medium until bubbly (do not let brown). With blender running, pour in hot butter in a very thin stream, blending until sauce is thick and emulsified.

What ingredient acts as the emulsifier in hollandaise? ›

One egg yolk will typically absorb one cup of oil. Eggs are also used as a binding emulsifier in several classic sauces. An example is hollandaise sauce, which is a rich, hot, and creamy sauce usually prepared by beating cold butter cubes into warmed egg yolks and adding lemon juice.

What are 3 derivatives of hollandaise sauce? ›

Some of the Hollandaise sauce derivatives are:
  • Maltaise – Hollandaise, juice, and zest of blood orange (late-season fruit is best).
  • Mousseline – Hollandaise, whipped cream.
  • Béarnaise – Tarragon, white wine, and vinegar reduction, fresh chervil, and tarragon.
  • Foyot – Béarnaise, reduced Espagnole, and brandy.

What does egg florentine mean? ›

Eggs Florentine: The History

In France, anything served on a bed of spinach became “Florentine” because Catherine de Medici came from Florence. Serving a poached egg on a bed of greens with a mother sauce was a common breakfast dish, and toast would likely have been served on the side.

Can you buy hollandaise sauce in the supermarket? ›

Hollandaise & Bearnaise Sauce - Tesco Groceries.

Can you buy hollandaise sauce at the supermarket? ›

Buy Maille Hollandaise Sauce 200mL | Coles.

What are the three types of Eggs Benedict? ›

Eggs Benedict and three delicious versions–Eggs Florentine with spinach, Eggs Royale with smoked salmon and Eggs Norwegian with both–are perfect ways to create a delicious Sunday brunch. Sometimes I offer more than one version at the same meal.

Does Eggs Benedict always have ham? ›

Yes, it always should include some kind of ham / pork product! Eggs Royale is with smoked salmon instead of ham and Eggs Florentine is with spinach instead of ham/smoked salmon.

How to order Eggs Benedict? ›

Eggs Benedict

Traditionally, a poached egg is served on top of an English muffin with ham or Canadian bacon and Hollandaise sauce. Twists on this traditional version may replace the ham with tomato, spinach, smoked salmon, crab cakes, or even lobster.

Why are eggs benedict so high in calories? ›

Worst: Eggs Benedict

The calories come in the high-fat Hollandaise sauce. When you're eating out, going light on the sauce can help.

How old was Eggs Benedict when he died? ›

Craig Claiborne, in September 1967, wrote a column in The New York Times Magazine about a letter he had received from Edward P. Montgomery, an American living in France. In it, Montgomery related that the dish was created by Commodore E.C. Benedict, a banker and yachtsman, who died in 1920 at the age of 86.

What is the difference between a poached and a coddled egg? ›

While a poached egg is cooked directly in hot water, a coddled egg is cooked in a ramekin, small jar or egg coddler which is placed inside a water bath, where the gentle transfer of heat through the ramekin cooks the egg. It is meant to be eaten right out of the cooking vessel, not taken out and placed on a plate.

Why does Eggs Benedict have so many calories? ›

Large portions of meat and gobs of buttery sauces are mostly to blame. There are some healthy elements to this dish. Since the eggs are poached they are cooked without fat and Canadian bacon is a much leaner choice than regular bacon.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5437

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.