Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce

Last Updated on 2021-04-14 by Linda

This is one of those recipes that looks more complicated than it actually is. Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce, the perfect brunch don’t you think? As tasty and as easy as it is please note a tad involved to plate and serve.

There are four distinct layers to this recipe, which means a little planning is needed to ensure all components are nice and warm when ready to serve. In addition, it may take a little practice to achieve perfectly poached eggs, but the process is pretty easy once you get the hang of it.

Brunch is Served

I think Brunch is probably my favourite meal.  Breakfast and lunch rolled into one.  Plus the memories of Sundays away and enjoying brunch with friends.  Mimosa’s on the side, great conversation and limitless selections of my fav foods.

Crazy thing, brunch always seemed to be waffles, scrambled eggs and pancakes, bacon, hash browns and as many desserts as I could manage.  Then I discovered a love of poached eggs.  Of course Eggs benedict and Hollandaise was a natural progression. Oh my did Brunch get elevated.

Steps to Pull it All Together:

Let’s walk through the process of plating the dish and then we will dive into making the individual pieces.

1. Assemble all ingredients and set up your work area, details below
2. Prepare the Hollandaise sauce, then transfer to a heat-proof container, such as a glass canning jar, and set in a warm water bath to keep warm until ready to serve.
3. Poach the eggs 
4. Brown the Canadian bacon while the English muffins are toasting under a hot broiler (watch carefully to avoid burning).
5. Assemble and serve immediately.

Totally delish brunch is served.

Hollandaise Sauce

There is some debate regarding the safety of Hollandaise sauce due to the use of uncooked eggs. Traditional cooking methods involve “cooking” the eggs over very low heat using a double boiler before whisking in the butter.

With the blender method described below, it is important to start with very warm melted butter (it should be bubbling, but not scorched). Melting the butter on a stovetop (vs. in a microwave) makes it easier to achieve the right temperature without scorching it.

Lets get Brunch Ready

Let’s get the ingredients ready:

Blender Hollandaise Sauce

6 T. unsalted butter

3 egg yolks
1½ T. lemon juice
1/8 t. salt
1/8 t. cayenne pepper

2-3 c. warm water

Eggs Benedict Ingredients: 

4 English muffin bottoms*
2 T. unsalted butter, room temperature
6 c. water, for boiling
1 T. white vinegar
4 large eggs
8 slices Canadian bacon
Cayenne pepper, for garnish
1 T. fresh chives, chopped

*Reserve English muffin tops for another use.

Ready to Make Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise

1. Before starting, prep your work area by doing the following:

• Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat™ baking sheet. Butter the English muffin bottoms and place on the prepared baking sheet,  Set aside.
• Line a large plate with paper towels and set aside.
• Set up a warm water bath to keep the Hollandaise sauce warm by adding two cups very warm water to a shallow bowl. (Avoid overly hot water as it can cause the eggs to solidify). Set aside.
• Fill a pot with 6 cups water and set over high heat. Add one tablespoon white vinegar and bring to a rapid boil.
• Add six tablespoons butter to a small skillet set over medium heat. Stir until completely melted, then reduce heat slightly to keep warm and bubbly while preparing the sauce.

Ready to Create

2. Add the eggs yolks, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper to a blender and blend on high for 20-30 seconds, then slowly drizzle the warm, melted butter into the blender while it is still operating. Continue blending on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce is emulsified and reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
3. Turn off blender. Taste and add additional lemon juice, salt, or cayenne pepper, as desired. Transfer the sauce to a heat-proof container, such as a glass canning jar, and place into the warm water bath until ready to use.

4. Add eggs, one at a time,  for 2-3 minutes to remove excess liquid. Transfer each egg to a separate ramekin and set aside.
5. Drop the strained eggs, one at a time, into the boiling water and poach for 3 minutes. Carefully remove each egg with a slotted spoon and transfer to the plate lined with paper towels. Set aside.
6. Add the Canadian bacon to a large skillet set over medium heat and heat just until warmed through and browned, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set aside.
7. Place the top oven rack on the second position from the top and set the broiler to high. Place the English muffins under the broiler for approximately 3-4 minutes or until golden brown, rotating once halfway through. Remove from oven and set aside.
8. To serve, assemble by topping the toasted English muffins with two slices of Canadian Bacon and one of the poached eggs. Pour some warm Hollandaise sauce on top and garnish with a small pinch of cayenne pepper and some chopped chives right before serving. Enjoy!

Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce:

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American, canadian

Keyword: eggs benedict, hollandaise sauce

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Author: Linda

Ingredients

• Blender Hollandaise Sauce:
• 6 T. unsalted butter
• 3 egg yolks
• 1½ T. lemon juice
• 1/8 t. salt
• 1/8 t. cayenne pepper
• 2-3 c. warm water
• Eggs Benedict Ingredients:
• 4 English muffin bottoms*
• 2 T. unsalted butter room temperature
• 6 c. water for boiling
• 1 T. white vinegar
• 4 large eggs
• 8 slices Canadian bacon
• Cayenne pepper for garnish
• 1 T. fresh chives chopped

Instructions

• Before starting, prep your work area by doing the following:
• Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat™ baking sheet. Butter the English muffin bottoms and place on the prepared baking sheet, as shown. Set aside.
• Line a large plate with paper towels and set aside.
• Set up a warm water bath to keep the Hollandaise sauce warm by adding two cups very warm water to a shallow bowl. (Avoid overly hot water as it can cause the eggs to solidify). Set aside.
• Fill a pot with 6 cups water and set over high heat. Add one tablespoon white vinegar and bring to a rapid boil.
• Add six tablespoons butter to a small skillet set over medium heat. Stir until completely melted, then reduce heat slightly to keep warm and bubbly while preparing the sauce.
• Add the eggs yolks, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper to a blender and blend on high for 20-30 seconds, then slowly drizzle the warm, melted butter into the blender while it is still operating. Continue blending on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce is emulsified and reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Turn off blender. Taste and add additional lemon juice, salt, or cayenne pepper, as desired. Transfer the sauce to a heat-proof container, such as a glass canning jar, and place into the warm water bath until ready to use.
• Add eggs, one at a time, to a fine mesh sieve, as shown, for 2-3 minutes to remove excess liquid. Transfer each egg to a separate ramekin and set aside.
• Drop the strained eggs, one at a time, into the boiling water and poach for 3 minutes. Carefully remove each egg with a slotted spoon and transfer to the plate lined with paper towels. Set aside.
• Add the Canadian bacon to a large skillet set over medium heat and heat just until warmed through and browned, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Place the top oven rack on the second position from the top and set the broiler to high. Place the English muffins under the broiler for approximately 3-4 minutes or until golden brown, rotating once halfway through. Remove from oven and set aside.
• To serve, assemble by topping the toasted English muffins with two slices of Canadian Bacon and one of the poached eggs. Pour some warm Hollandaise sauce on top and garnish with a small pinch of cayenne pepper and some chopped chives right before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Optional serving suggestion: Steamed or grilled asparagus pairs beautifully with the Hollandaise sauce.

Have you tried this recipe? I would love to see the resultsMention @alabouroflife or tag #alabouroffood!