Last year, I took it upon myself to make my mother Eggs Benedict, delivered to her bedside.
Instead of “thenk-you, Pee’rre…you thaught-fal, kind son”, I got…“I know, you feed me reech food, fool aaf butter breakfast too geeve me haart-attack. You want to keel me aaf, get rid of me? Niiice Mother’s Day prresent….ZOAN (animal)”!
For those that are Greek, you’ll know that any kind gesture towards you’re mom will be answered by a healthy dose of Greek Guilt. I serve her eggs benedict, I get grief and the urge to drink…alot!
All kidding aside, I wish all the moms, mothers, grand mothers (and soon to be moms) a wonderful Mother’s Day…milk the day for all you can…you’ll probably get everything you ask for!
Eggs Benedict are one of my favourite breakfasts/brunches. It is a rich meal but having it from time to time won’t kill you but I found, whisking the Hollandaise Sauce over the double-boiler will!
How boring is it to sit over and whisk egg yolks for 10-15 minutes? I don’t have that kind of patience in the morning and timing the English muffins, warm ham/bacon, poached eggs AND getting the perfect Hollandaise Sauce is just too much stress for someone who’s just woken up.
Here’s a shortcut method to poaching eggs and making a great Hollandaise Sauce. Around these parts, Eggs Benedict consists of one English Muffin, halved and toasted, 2 poached eggs (little runny), a side of home fries and the crowning Hollandaise Sauce in all it’s glory.
(Notes taken from the Alberta Egg Producers)
Eggs Benedict
(for 2)
2 English muffins, toasted
4 eggs, poached
slices of ham, bacon or peameal bacon slices
2 potatoes, par-boiled and then skillet-fried (non-stick)
water
white vinegar
Hollandaise Sauce
1/2 cup of butter
3 eggs yolks
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
pinch of salt
dash of Tabasco Sauce
sweet paprika (garnish)
chopped fresh chives (garnish)
- Add about 3 inches of water into a medium pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer and add a few dashes of white vinegar.
- Break the cold eggs, one at a time into a small bowl. Give your water a swirl and drop your eggs in, one at a time. Cook in the barely simmering water for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the end piece of your loaf of slice bread (no one eats it anyway) to absorb the excess water.
Tips
- A shallow saucepan with large surface area is best for poaching eggs.
- For poached eggs with a compact oval shape, use the freshest eggs available. Rapid boiling will cause egg to break up as it cooks.
- A few drops of vinegar will keep poached eggs compact.
- Poached eggs can be made ahead of time and held for up to two days.Undercook them slightly so that the yolks remain runny when reheated.
- Refrigerate, covered, or store in ice water, deep enough to cover eggs, until ready to use. To complete cooking, immerse in barely simmering water for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Eggs can be poached in dry white wine, chicken broth or tomato juice.
Here are two ways to make your Hollandaise Sauce quickly and without having a morning heart attack stressing over it:
Stove Top
- Melt the butter until bubbly but not browned and remove from the heat. Place yolks, lemon juice, salt and tabasco in a blender container and start blending on high. Remove the lid and start pouring the melted butter in a slow but steady stream.
- Blend for another 30 seconds and serve warm over your poached eggs.
Microwave
- In a microwave-safe measuring glass, nuke the butter on high for 1 -2 minutes or until the butter’s melted. Meanwhile, in another glass measuring cup, whisk the eggs, lemon juice, salt and Tabasco. Gradually whisk the melted butter into the egg yolk mixture, beating constantly.
- Microwave on medium (50%) for 30 seconds, whisk for a bit and then microwave again for another 30 seconds until smooth, creamy. Serve Warm over your poached eggs.
Tips
Curdling may occur due to over beating or adding butter too quickly. To rescue a curdled sauce, try one of the following:
- Beat another egg yolk in a small bowl. With a whisk or fork, gradually beat the curdled Hollandaise Sauce.
- Place 15 mL (1 tbsp) water in a small bowl. With a whisk or fork, beat in a small amount of separated sauce until it becomes smooth. Keep adding sauce slowly, while continuing to beat vigorously.
- Hollandaise Sauce may be frozen. To use, thaw in refrigerator. Warm in a double boiler over hot (not boiling) water, stirring constantly. If sauce should separate, use procedure outlined above.
49 Responses
Oh, Peter! I am adopting you so that you make this for me! It’s been years since I’ve had Eggs Benedict, and yours looks absolutely scrumptious! I am loving that blender hollandaise, too. :)
And behind your back shes bragging to everyone what a good son she has!Perfect dish for Mama’s Day. Enjoy the nagging and the love.
Yea baby! I would have to make this with fakin bacon. Hey, don’t knock it till you try it! Thanks for the comment on the Texas Fries, you always leave the BEST comments :)
ah, you are SO funny! I have a Greek mother too, so can empathise! :-)
Your blog is great, I came here via another blog – I’m interested to see your Greek food posts!
If ever I have children and they make me eggs benedict, I promise I’ll accept them gracefully!
Too funny Peter. I know you love your mother dearly. Make her a Greek breakfast this year of yogurt, walnuts or fruit and honey. The Greek know how to eat!!
Great looking Eggs Benedict and Hollandaise Sauce!
THIS is my alll time favorite breakfast! Can you please come and make me breakfast tomorrow? Yours looks divine. I’ll have extra Hollandaise sauce pleeeeaaase!
PS. I am not Greek but I was born with what I call “original guilt” being Catholic and all.
I can read the headlines now! “Greek mother guilt causes Eggs Benedict to become the new all time breakfast favourite!”..LOL On a serious note, I have to say that is the quickest Hollandaise I’ve seen. I hope she enjoyed the “brekky” and best wishes for your mum this Mothers Day.
Even though I’ve just eaten a huge dinner (the full monty as we had mother and father in law here) I could eat those now! They do look good.
Ps: I bet they could become ‘Eggs Benedict-tive’ lol
LOL – mothers are masters of guilt! I adore eggs benedict, so thatnks for the shortcut method of making this wonderful breakfast treat.
he he he… I’ll have to ask my Mom if she’s got a greek streak in her… or is it the French gene that makes her do it? I’m thinking of giving her The Selfish Pig’s Guide to Caring, for Mother’s Day (I guess the fruit doesn’t fall too far from the tree).
Listen honey…the Greeks don’t have the corner on the guilt market…. although your mother sounds seriously like mine…sigh. I tell her I’m taking a cake decorating course…she says “vy u need dat? It makes you fet”
If you made me this breakfast for Mother’s Day, you would be son numero uno in my books.
Please do not quilt trips to Greek mothers, SA mothers are not very far behind in the line……I should know, I am one,he-he!!
I had Eggs Benedict on Friday and true as bob, I was not ready a for another meal again until Saturday.
Thanks for all the good wishes, Peter.
Please do not quilt trips to Greek mothers, SA mothers are not very far behind in the line……I should know, I am one,he-he!!
I had Eggs Benedict on Friday and true as bob, I was not ready a for another meal again until Saturday.
Thanks for all the good wishes, Peter.
Please do not quilt trips to Greek mothers, SA mothers are not very far behind in the line……I should know, I am one,he-he!!
I had Eggs Benedict on Friday and true as bob, I was not ready a for another meal again until Saturday.
Thanks for all the good wishes, Peter.
Please do not quilt trips to Greek mothers, SA mothers are not very far behind in the line……I should know, I am one,he-he!!
I had Eggs Benedict on Friday and true as bob, I was not ready a for another meal again until Saturday.
Thanks for all the good wishes, Peter.
Please do not quilt trips to Greek mothers, SA mothers are not very far behind in the line……I should know, I am one,he-he!!
I had Eggs Benedict on Friday and true as bob, I was not ready a for another meal again until Saturday.
Thanks for all the good wishes, Peter.
Please do not quilt trips to Greek mothers, SA mothers are not very far behind in the line……I should know, I am one,he-he!!
I had Eggs Benedict on Friday and true as bob, I was not ready a for another meal again until Saturday.
Thanks for all the good wishes, Peter.
Please do not quilt trips to Greek mothers, SA mothers are not very far behind in the line……I should know, I am one,he-he!!
I had Eggs Benedict on Friday and true as bob, I was not ready a for another meal again until Saturday.
Thanks for all the good wishes, Peter.
Please do not quilt trips to Greek mothers, SA mothers are not very far behind in the line……I should know, I am one,he-he!!
I had Eggs Benedict on Friday and true as bob, I was not ready a for another meal again until Saturday.
Thanks for all the good wishes, Peter.
Please do not quilt trips to Greek mothers, SA mothers are not very far behind in the line……I should know, I am one,he-he!!
I had Eggs Benedict on Friday and true as bob, I was not ready a for another meal again until Saturday.
Thanks for all the good wishes, Peter.
Gorgeous! What a good son you are! I understand completely about Mediterranean Mother Guilt. I live it every day!
If my husband served this to me on Mother’s Day, I’d have a heart attack all right – from the SHOCK! ;)
Some good tips there, Peter, esp for the hollandaise – thank you for sharing!
Your eggs look perfect. And I must confess, that is the only way I have ever made Hollandaise.
Just so you know, German mothers are pretty damn good at the guilt thing, too.
I love my mother….but, oh how I hate it when I hear her words coming out of my mouth! (Son’s not so crazy about it either)
At least you didn’t get, “When I’m dead soon you’ll wish you had made me French toast instead… your sister made me French toast….How come you didn’t make French toast?”
oh My, my boy is a betiful mother I think, but if you die (I don’t believe) you will die soooo happpy!!!! Gloria
(Im making a recipe your, tomorrow I will tell you)
Happy Mother’s Day Peter’s Mom! A perfect Mother’s Day Brunch item… Looks like you did a great job on that Hollandaise sauce! Nice.
Eggs benny! Oh how I love them. I call them Eggs with Benefits.
Hey, wait a minute! I thought Our Lady Of Guilt was the JEWISH patron saint! You mean, Greeks pray to her as well? Jeeeez! Is nothing sacred?
Love the eggs benedict! Heart attack, shmart attack – at least you die with a smile on your face!
How nice, Peter! I’m sure I would cry if my son made this for me AND not because of the mess he would have surely left in the kitchen! Very sweet of you to not only think of your wonderful mother (guilt is in our job description as one of the perks!), but to also think of ALL of us out here. Thank you. This is the dish I always order when going out for brunch…. yet, I’ve never made it myself. Thank you for the recipe & the tips!
best, Amy
You are too funny Peter! Your mom is the best and it shows with that lovely breakfast you prepared! If that was breakfast, I cannot wait to see what was for dinner!
Oh your Mother is hysterical! I hope she has a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Love your Benny photos!
Nikki, adoption? I can handle living in Grand Canaria!
Glam, you’re so right…I’ve caught her bragging about her good boy.;)
Erik, you may certainly “try and corner” the fakin’ bacn market but I’ll stick with real pig! lol
Anna, welcome, thank you and I hope to see you here often, endaxi?
Sylvie, nudge your man to make you some Eggs Ben!
Val, she (mom) asked ribs for dinner…done!
Kevin, it’s one of my fave brekkies.
Nicole, where do I pick up my ticket? lol
Pete, you crack me up! This short-cut Hollandaise is very reliable.
Jan, you’re so..”prose-etic”!
Cake, your welcome..I hope you try your own egg ben.
Louise, it could be European-rooted trait in mothers.
Giz…LOL…that’s funny and I can picture your mom saying it as I saw her in your video…mom’s are the best!
Nina, I wish there was a leaner eggs benedict, I’d have it more often.
Sticky, I suggest you show your husband this entry…there’s always next weekend, right?
Forkful, you’re welcome…a more enjoyable method of making Eggs Ben.
Katie, really? See great minds think alike…hard to screw up eh?
OH MY GOD, Fearless….Greek mother X 10!!!!!
Gloria, she’s lucky I like to cook and I look forward to seeing the dish.
Sam, thank you…my same best wishes to your mom!
Heather…eggs with benefits can also get one, ahem…lucky (not with one’s mom, you sickos)!
LOl @ Toni…each culture seems to have their own super-race of guilting mothers!
Amy, thank you for your kind thoughts & wishes. I hope this post gives you the courage to try eggs benedict at home, not that hard.
Deb, mom asked for ribs…they’re in the oven as we speak.
Lori lynn, thanks ‘hun!
HA! We’re tracking again Peter. I made poached eggs with hollandaise this am for brunch and, I too, use the blender method. Great minds… (Loved the mom dialogue!)
I love eggs benedict, probably my favorite breakfast. I’m also a fan of the blender hollandaise. There really is no reason to use the packet hollandaise mix when it is so easy to make your own.
Our mother’s day here is the first May’s Sunday… that’s a week before yours.
Next year I’ll get a mami’s Greek’s outfit and sneak in your mom’s house to get those maravillosos eggs!!!!
lol, that’s a great story. The eggs look spectacular! Somehow, I’d only first tried this dish about a year ago…and it came with lobster and a strong drink (there’s a way to start the day!) and I’ve been meaning to try it at home ever since. My stomach is growling at the thought of it…
lol, that’s a great story. The eggs look spectacular! Somehow, I’d only first tried this dish about a year ago…and it came with lobster and a strong drink (there’s a way to start the day!) and I’ve been meaning to try it at home ever since. My stomach is growling at the thought of it…
lol, that’s a great story. The eggs look spectacular! Somehow, I’d only first tried this dish about a year ago…and it came with lobster and a strong drink (there’s a way to start the day!) and I’ve been meaning to try it at home ever since. My stomach is growling at the thought of it…
lol, that’s a great story. The eggs look spectacular! Somehow, I’d only first tried this dish about a year ago…and it came with lobster and a strong drink (there’s a way to start the day!) and I’ve been meaning to try it at home ever since. My stomach is growling at the thought of it…
lol, that’s a great story. The eggs look spectacular! Somehow, I’d only first tried this dish about a year ago…and it came with lobster and a strong drink (there’s a way to start the day!) and I’ve been meaning to try it at home ever since. My stomach is growling at the thought of it…
lol, that’s a great story. The eggs look spectacular! Somehow, I’d only first tried this dish about a year ago…and it came with lobster and a strong drink (there’s a way to start the day!) and I’ve been meaning to try it at home ever since. My stomach is growling at the thought of it…
lol, that’s a great story. The eggs look spectacular! Somehow, I’d only first tried this dish about a year ago…and it came with lobster and a strong drink (there’s a way to start the day!) and I’ve been meaning to try it at home ever since. My stomach is growling at the thought of it…
lol, that’s a great story. The eggs look spectacular! Somehow, I’d only first tried this dish about a year ago…and it came with lobster and a strong drink (there’s a way to start the day!) and I’ve been meaning to try it at home ever since. My stomach is growling at the thought of it…
lol, that’s a great story. The eggs look spectacular! Somehow, I’d only first tried this dish about a year ago…and it came with lobster and a strong drink (there’s a way to start the day!) and I’ve been meaning to try it at home ever since. My stomach is growling at the thought of it…
Your post gave me a big laugh:) I think moms are the same around the world, whether they are Greek or not:)) but they are still lovely:)
I have never made egg Benedict in my life. you encouraged me to try, although I would prefer it delivered to my bed:))
Your Mother sounds wonderful! Theres nothing wrong with a little guilt every now and then. (just ask my kids):)
Eggs Benedict my love!! Thanks for this marvellous recipie. Your mum is hillarious.
Thanks for the vinegar tip ;) I hadnt heard of that before. I have eggs every morning. Much healthier than sugar carb loaded cereal despite the unfortunate rep poor eggs have been given. I skip the potatoes, toast and holladaize sauce except for special occasions and make the eggs in a different way every day just spice things up. But I love poached eggs although I never exactly know when they I ready. Never keep time… I sort of look at them and guess… Sometimes they are too hard sometimes too runny, oh well. The eggs that I am totally rubbish at making are fried eggs. I don’t understand why everybody says they are easy to make! There are just too many variables… Too much or too little oil, not enough on top, burnt on the edges uncooked in the middle…let’s say they are not my forte ;)
Breakfast is my absolute favourite meal of the day and when eggs Benedict are involved I am over the moon!
Thanks for sharing.
Kali oreksi :)