Egg Baskets Benedict Recipes

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.

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.

Steps:

• For the casserole: Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with the butter.
• Split the English muffins open. Shingle the English muffins split-sides up in the baking dish in 2 rows, alternating tops and bottoms. Place 1 slice of Canadian bacon in between each piece.
• Whisk together the milk, cream, nutmeg, salt, pepper and eggs in a medium bowl until well combined. Pour the custard over the top of the English muffins, then cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours or up to overnight. (See Cook's Note.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the plastic wrap from the casserole dish and replace with foil. Bake 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake until the casserole is set and the English muffins and bacon have browned on the edges, an additional 30 minutes.
• For the hollandaise sauce: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the yolks, lemon juice, salt and cayenne to a blender and blend for 1 minute. With the blender running, pour the melted butter very slowly through the open hole of the blender lid.
• For the poached eggs: Fill a large saucepan with 2 quarts water. Add the vinegar and bring to a steady simmer over medium-high heat.
• Crack 4 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.) Slip the eggs into the water in one quick motion. 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. Repeat with 4 more eggs.
• Arrange 4 eggs on each side of the baked casserole. Drizzle the hollandaise sauce over the top and sprinkle with the chives. Serve while still warm with extra hollandaise sauce on the side. (If the sauce has thickened too much, whisk it with a tablespoon of water.)

Steps:

• To Make Hollandaise: Fill the bottom of a double boiler part-way with water. Make sure that water does not touch the top pan. Bring water to a gentle simmer. In the top of the double boiler, whisk together egg yolks, lemon juice, white pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon water.
• Add the melted butter to egg yolk mixture 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time while whisking yolks constantly. If hollandaise begins to get too thick, add a teaspoon or two of hot water. Continue whisking until all butter is incorporated. Whisk in salt, then remove from heat. Place a lid on pan to keep sauce warm.
• Preheat oven on broiler setting. To Poach Eggs: Fill a large saucepan with 3 inches of water. Bring water to a gentle simmer, then add vinegar. Carefully break eggs into simmering water, and allow to cook for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Yolks should still be soft in center. Remove eggs from water with a slotted spoon and set on a warm plate
• While eggs are poaching, brown the bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat and toast the English muffins on a baking sheet under the broiler.
• Spread toasted muffins with softened butter, and top each one with a slice of bacon, followed by one poached egg. Place 2 muffins on each plate and drizzle with hollandaise sauce. Sprinkle with chopped chives and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Add the egg yolks to a blender or a food processor. Add in the lemon juice and blend for several seconds. With the blender on, slowly drizzle in the melted butter. Turn off the blender and add in a little salt and cayenne. Whip it again until combined. Set this aside for a minute. Next, poach an egg by gently cracking an egg into simmering, slightly bubbling water. Leave the egg alone for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes, and then remove it with a slotted spoon and carefully place it on a plate. Repeat with the remaining eggs. To serve, place a buttered, toasted English muffin half on a plate. Top the English muffin with a warm slice of Canadian bacon. Place the warm poached egg on top. And then drizzle on some warm hollandaise. Sprinkle a little paprika on top.

Steps:

• Arrange an oven rack at the lowest rack setting; place a second rack in middle of oven. Place an oven-safe skillet on bottom oven rack; preheat oven and skillet to 300°. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil., In a blender, puree first 4 ingredients until smooth, about 20 seconds. Line 6 muffin cups with foil liners. Divide the Swiss cheese and bacon among the muffin cups. Pour egg mixture over top. , Wearing oven mitts, place muffin tin on top rack. Pull bottom rack out by 6-8 in.; add boiling water to skillet. (Work quickly and carefully, pouring water away from you. Don't worry if some water is left in the saucepan.) Carefully slide bottom rack back into place; quickly close door to trap steam in oven., Bake until eggs puff and are cooked to desired degree of doneness, 25-30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium-high heat, fry the Canadian bacon on each side until evenly browned.
• Fill a large saucepan with about 3 inches water, and bring to a simmer. Pour in the vinegar. Carefully break the 4 eggs into the water, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until whites are set but yolks are still soft. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter until bubbly in a small pan or in the microwave. Remove from heat before butter browns.
• In a blender or large food processor, blend the egg yolks, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, and salt until smooth. Add half of the hot butter in a thin steady stream, slow enough so that it blends in at least as fast as you are pouring it in. Blend in the lemon juice using the same method, then the remaining butter.
• Place open English muffins onto serving plates. Top with 1 slice Canadian bacon and 1 poached egg. Drizzle with the cream sauce, and serve at once.