How to Make Eggs Benedict – James Bond Type Food
Muffins Topped with Ham or Bacon, Poached Eggs and Hollandaise Sauce
Jul 22, 2009
The origins of Eggs Benedict are lost in the mists of time and there is some controversy over who came up with the recipe first. It originated in the United States somewhere in the late 1800’s and has become popular all around the world. Eggs Benedict is basically poached eggs on a muffin with ham or bacon and covered in a hollandaise sauce.
James Bond was a fan of Eggs Benedict, or Oeufs Benedict, as they are mentioned in several books including Diamonds Are Forever and The Man With the Golden Gun. Not everyone can drive an Aston Martin and live the life of an international 007 super spy, but everyone can try making their own Eggs Benedict!
Eggs Benedict Recipe
Ingredients (per person):
- 1 English Muffin
- Butter
- 2 fresh eggs
- 2 slices ham or 4 rashers of bacon
- 4 tablespoons Hollandaise Sauce
Directions:
- Preheat grill on high and line a baking tray with foil.
- Heat water for poaching eggs.
- Cook the ham or bacon on the preheated tray, turning once, for about 4-6 minute or until cooked to taste.
- Put eggs in to water to poach (If you don’t know how to do this see How to Poach an Egg).
- Split and toast the muffins.
- Butter muffins and top with ham/bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
- Serve immediately.
The trick is to time the cooking so that everything is ready at the same time. The hollandaise sauce can be bought or made from scratch. It is infinitely better when it is homemade and served warm, but it is another thing to factor into the timing. This link gives directions on How to Make Hollandaise Sauce at Home.
Eggs Benedict Inspired the Egg McMuffin
The founder of McDonalds fast food restaurants was Ray Kroc, and Eggs Benedict was a favourite breakfast dish of his. In 1972 his friend Herb Paterson decided to create a poor man’s version and replaced the hollandaise sauce with a slice of cheese. This became the basis of the Egg McMuffin that was one of the most popular fast food breakfasts for many years, and is still very popular today.
National Eggs Benedict Day
In the United States April 16 each year is National Eggs Benedict Day. Many people have never tried Eggs Benedict, don’t know how it’s made or what’s in them, or even what hollandaise sauce is. It is a good date to mark on the calendar and use the day to introduce friends to a dish that could well become their new favourite.
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