How to Make Traditional Eggs Benedict: with Ham and Hollandaise Sauce
An international favorite - invented in the United States - eggs Benedict traditionally consists of poached eggs and sliced ham on toasted muffins, topped with a warm Hollandaise sauce.
Soft bread rolls or crumpets can replace the muffins for a less authentic but still good-tasting variation.
For a special occasion, before assembling the eggs Benedict pour one tablespoon of sherry over the slices of ham in a shallow dish; cover with kitchen foil and heat through in a warm oven for 5 minutes.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4
You will need
- ¾ cup Hollandaise sauce
- 4 muffins
- Butter for spreading
- 4 large eggs
- 4 slices cooked ham
Other recipes of interest
- How to Make Hollandaise Sauce Three Ways: Traditional, Blender and Microwave
Hollandaise sauce is the traditional partner for asparagus, artichokes, eggs Benedict and fish. The sauce is best made in a heavy-based pan set over a very gentle heat. If the direct heat from the stove is...
How to make eggs Benedict
First make the Hollandaise sauce and keep warm (see link at right).
Split the muffins and lightly toast. Spread with butter and keep warm.
To poach the eggs, half fill a large frying pan with water and bring to the boil (do not add salt). Reduce heat and break the eggs into the simmering water one at a time. Spoon the water over the eggs and cook for 3 minutes or until the eggs are set. Lift them out with a slotted spoon or an egg slice, allowing all the excess water to drain off. Keep the eggs warm on a plate lined with absorbent kitchen paper.
Top each buttered muffin with a slice of ham then a poached egg. Spoon over the warm Hollandaise sauce, and serve immediately.
Evenly cooked eggs
Eggs will heat and cook more evenly if you use them at room temperature.
To poach eggs in the microwave
Break eggs into a microwave egg dish or cup cake pan and carefully pierce the yolks and whites.
Pour hot water into the center of the dish, cover with a lid or microwave safe plastic wrap and cook at 70 per cent (Medium High) power for 2 minutes.
Make cooking Eggs Benedict easier
Most recent articles by this author
- How to Make Shortcrust Pastry
Shortcrust pastry can be used for pies (both sweet and savory), flans, quiches and all kinds of tarts and tartlets.Basic shortcrust pastry consists of flour and fat - half as much fat as flour - bound... - How to Make Choux Pastry
Unlike other pastries, choux pastry is made in a saucepan and rather than being rolled, the soft, glossy dough is piped or spooned into shape. The best flour to use is strong white plain (bread-making) flour.... - How to Make Lebkuchen
In German, lebkuchen literally means 'cake of life'. It is somewhat similar to gingerbread, and is a specialty of Nuremberg in West Germany -- where the gingerbread house of Hansel and Gretel fame is known as...
Would you like to know the history of this dish?
- Egg Benedict, History of Egg Benedict
History of Egg Benedict from What's Cooking America