Emerilized Eggs Benedict Food

THE BEST EGGS BENEDICT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Fill a large saucepan with 2 quarts water. Add the vinegar and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, toast the English muffins until golden brown. Spread with butter and place on one side of a baking sheet. Keep warm in the oven.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Canadian bacon and cook until heated through, about 30 seconds per side. Transfer the bacon to the other side of the baking sheet to keep warm.
• Melt the remaining butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the yolks, lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the cayenne to a blender. Blend for 1 minute. With the blender running, pour the melted butter very slowly through the open hole of the blender lid until smooth, thick and emulsified. Transfer the sauce back to the saucepan and place in the oven to keep warm.
• Crack the whole eggs into small cups or glasses. If your simmering water has reduced too much, add a bit more water and bring back to a steady simmer. When the water is at a steady simmer, slip the eggs into the water in one quick motion, arranging them clockwise in the pan so you know which will be ready first.. Poach the eggs until the whites are firm but the yolks are still runny, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.
• Top each muffin half with a slice of Canadian bacon and a poached egg. Pour hollandaise sauce over each muffin. (If the sauce has thickened too much, whisk it with a tablespoon of water.) Sprinkle each serving with a little cayenne and serve immediately.

TEXAS EGGS BENEDICT

Steps:

• For the black bean relish: Combine the onions, cilantro, olive oil, tomatoes, beans, chiles and lime juice in a bowl and season with salt and black pepper. Let the relish sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• For the hollandaise: Place the lime juice and yolks in a medium stainless-steel bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Whisk the yolks until pale yellow and fluffy. Slowly add the melted butter, a few tablespoons at a time, and whisk until thickened. Remove from the heat, whisk in the steak sauce and season with the salt and black pepper. Keep warm.
• For the Texas toast: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Combine the garlic, butter and some salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Butter both sides of the bread with some of the garlic butter, and grill until nicely charred on both sides.
• For the steak: Put each slice of steak in between pieces of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to pound them into thin steaks. Sprinkle both sides with some of the steak rub and some salt and black pepper. Heat the oil in a cast-iron pan over high heat. Add the steaks and cook until a crust forms, about 1 minute. Flip and cook for another minute until the other side forms a crust as well.
• For the poached eggs: Bring 3 cups water and the vinegar to a gentle simmer in a large high-sided frying pan. Break each egg into a cup and gently add to the water. Poach until the yolks are nearly set, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the eggs from the pan with a slotted spoon to drain the liquid. Season the top with salt and black pepper.
• For assembly: Spoon some of the black bean relish on top of each piece of the Texas toast. Top each with 2 pieces of steak, a poached egg, then some of the hollandaise. Garnish with whole cilantro leaves.

CLASSIC EGGS BENEDICT

Steps:

• Make the hollandaise sauce: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until no longer foamy (but not browned), 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the clear butter to a liquid measuring cup, leaving the milk solids on the bottom of the pan; discard the solids.
• Heat 1 inch of water in a medium saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not simmering. Combine the egg yolks, 1 tablespoon water and 2 teaspoons lemon juice in a medium stainless-steel bowl. Set the bowl on the saucepan (do not let the bowl touch the water). Cook, whisking constantly, until the egg mixture is pale yellow and thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Check periodically to make sure the water isn't boiling or the egg yolks might overcook.
• Remove the bowl from the saucepan; slowly pour in the melted butter, a drop at a time at first, whisking constantly until thick. Whisk in the remaining 2 teaspoons lemon juice, the cayenne and ¼ teaspoon salt. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in some warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to loosen. Return the bowl to the saucepan of water with the heat turned off to keep warm; whisk occasionally.
• Make the Eggs Benedict: Fill a large wide pot with 3 inches of water. Heat over medium-high heat until steaming with small bubbles; reduce the heat as needed to maintain a bare simmer. Stir in the vinegar. Crack 4 eggs into individual small bowls or ramekins. Carefully tip the eggs into the water, spacing them as far apart as possible. Cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, 3 to 3½ minutes. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with a kitchen towel. Gently blot the eggs dry and trim off any wispy pieces. Repeat with the remaining 4 eggs.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Canadian bacon and cook until lightly browned and warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Meanwhile, toast the English muffins and spread with butter.
• Top each English muffin half with a slice of Canadian bacon and a poached egg. Thin the hollandaise sauce with more warm water, if necessary, and season with salt. Spoon over the poached eggs and sprinkle with chopped chives.