Vegetable Eggs Benedict Food

TRADITIONAL EGGS BENEDICT

Steps:

• In a large skillet, bring 2 inches of water and the vinegar to a boil. Crack one egg into a glass. Reduce water to a simmer and pour egg into water in one quick motion. Quickly add remaining eggs. Let eggs cook for 4-5 minutes. The white should be firm but the yellow should be runny. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.
• In a non-stick skillet heat the bacon until warm. Toast the English muffins until golden.
• For the sauce: Place yolks, water and lemon juice into blender. Blend for 1 minute. With blender running, pour butter through open hole of blender lid. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
• To assemble eggs benedict: Top each muffin with bacon and a poached egg. Pour warm sauce over and garnish with paprika and chopped parsley.
• Alternatives: Vegetarian: Substitute wilted spinach and a grilled tomato for the ham.

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.

VEGETABLE EGGS BENEDICT

Steps:

• Microwave Singles and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 50 sec. or until blended, stirring every 30 sec. Stir in mustard.
• Heat heavy medium skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat. Add eggs, 1 at a time, allowing space between eggs. Pour water around eggs; cover. Bring just to gentle boil; simmer 2 min. or until whites are completely set and yolks are cooked to desired doneness.
• Cover muffin halves with ham, spinach and eggs; top with sauce, onions and tomatoes.

VEGETARIAN EGGS BENEDICT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to broil.
• In food processor, combine basil, garlic, pinenuts, salt and pepper until well combined.
• Add half oil and puree.
• Add remaining oil and cheese until blended.
• Brush tomato and eggplant slices with oil and broil in a preheated oven for five minutes, turning once (or till done to your liking).
• Lightly brush muffins with pesto and toast under broiler.
• Poach eggs.
• To assemble, put muffin on plate, stack tomato and eggplant on top of each serving.
• Carefully place egg on top and drizzle with pesto.
• Serves 4.

VEGGIE BENEDICT WITH HOLLANDAISE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a stainless steel bowl, add the egg yolks, wine, and lemon juice. Place the stainless steel bowl over boiling water and whisk continuously until the yolks are thoroughly heated. It should be light and fluffy from all of the air that was whipped into it, but not scrambled. Remove from the heat.
• Add a small amount of the hot water and whisk gently. Stream in the clarified butter slowly while whisking gently. Alternate between the butter and the hot water until the desired amount and consistency is achieved.
• Butter the English muffin with 1 tablespoon of butter and toast it in a skillet until golden brown. In a separate medium skillet, saute the mushrooms and onions in the remaining butter. Place the tomato slices, avocado, mushrooms, and onions on top of the English muffin. Top it off with basted eggs and hollandaise sauce and serve.
• To make the basted eggs: Heat an 8-inch egg pan with 1 teaspoon of clarified butter. Add 2 eggs to the pan and cook until the whites are mostly cooked. Add 1 tablespoon of water and cover the eggs with a tight fitting lid to allow the eggs to cook with the steam. Cook until desired doneness.