Today is National Eggs Benedict Day, so what better excuse to finally master this brunch time classic?
A homecooked meal doesn't necessarily have to mean dinner... breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right?
Impress your friends with one of the most requested dishes in Ireland right now, with thanks to top chef Neven Maguire.
Owner of one of the country’s best restaurants, MacNean House & Restaurant in Blacklion, County Cavan, and a regular fixture on Irish bookshelves and television screens, Neven is truly one of Ireland's top chefs.
Eggs Benedict
This brunch recipe from chef Neven Maguire is a lighter take on classic eggs Benedict.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 8 eggs
- 16 smoked streaky bacon rashers, rinds removed
- 4 English breakfast muffins, split in half
- 25g (1oz) unsalted butter, softened
- Fresh chervil sprigs, to garnish
For the butter sauce:
- 100ml cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 25g butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon cornflour, sifted
- A squeeze of lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon snipped fresh chives
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method:
- Heat a large pan with 2.25 litres (4 pints) water. Add the white wine vinegar and bring to the boil. Break each egg into the water where it’s bubbling, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 3 minutes, until the eggs are just cooked through but the yolks are still soft. Remove with a slotted spoon and plunge into a bowl of iced water.
- Preheat the grill, then grill the bacon until it’s crispy and golden, turning regularly. Toast the muffins, cut side up, and spread with the butter.
- Meanwhile, to make the butter sauce, place the cream and mustard in a small pan and simmer for 1 minute. Whisk in the butter, cornflour and lemon juice, then continue to whisk for 2–3 minutes, until thickened. Stir in the chives and season to taste. Keep warm.
- Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add the poached eggs and cook for 1 minute to warm through.
- To serve, place 2 muffin halves on each warmed serving plate and put 2 slices of bacon on top of each one. Using a slotted spoon, remove the poached eggs from the pan and drain briefly on kitchen paper. Place an egg on the bacon and spoon over the butter sauce. Garnish with the chervil sprigs.
READ MORE: Beef, butter and potatoes among winners of Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards
