Eggs Benedict: a fascinating story
Eggs Benedict are a classic dish of American cuisine that has conquered palates all over the world. This delicious creation consists of scrambled eggs served on toast and Canadian ham or bacon, all topped with an irresistible hollandaise sauce. But what is the story behind this popular dish?
The origin of eggs Benedict is a matter of debate, with several versions vying for credit. One of the most popular stories attributes the creation of this dish to Delmonico’s, a famous restaurant in New York. According to this version, in the 1860s, a regular diner named LeGrand Benedict complained that the menu was boring. In response to this complaint, chef Charles Ranhofer invented eggs Benedict and later included the recipe in his 1894 cookbook, ‘The Epicurean’ (https://correccioencatala.cat/com-estructura-text-catala /).
Another interesting version suggests that the dish was invented by a stockbroker named Lemuel Benedict. According to a 1942 interview in The New Yorker, Benedict claimed that in 1894, after a night of partying, he ordered ‘buttered toast, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon and a little hollandaise sauce’ at the Waldorf Hotel. The maître d’hôtel, Oscar Tschirky, was so impressed with this combination of flavors that he added the modified version of the dish to the hotel’s breakfast menu (https://correccioencatala.cat/com-estructura-text -Catalan/).
A simple recipe for homemade eggs benedict
Making eggs benedict at home can seem complicated because of the hollandaise sauce and the scrambled eggs, but with this simplified recipe, you can enjoy this delicious dish without too much trouble.
Ingredients:
– 4 eggs
– 2 English muffins split in half
– 4 slices of ham or Canadian bacon
– 2 egg yolks
– 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
– 1/2 cup of melted butter
– Salt and pepper to taste
– White vinegar
Elaboration:
1. Toast the English Muffins: In a skillet or toaster oven, toast the English muffin halves until golden brown and crispy. Reservation
2. Cook the ham: In the same pan, heat the slices of Canadian ham or bacon until golden brown. Place a slice on each toasted muffin half.
3. Prepare the hollandaise sauce: in a blender, mix the egg yolks and lemon juice. Melt the butter and, with the blender running, slowly add the melted butter until the sauce is thick and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Boil the eggs: fill a large saucepan with water and add a splash of white vinegar. Heat until the water is just about to boil (doesn’t have to boil completely). Crack an egg into a small bowl. Create a swirl in the water with a spoon and slide the egg into the center. Cook for about 3 minutes until the white is cooked but the yolk is still runny. Repeat with the other eggs.
5. Assemble the plate: place a beaten egg on each half of the ham muffin. Drizzle generously with hot hollandaise sauce.
Serve immediately and enjoy these delicious homemade Eggs Benedict, perfect for a special breakfast or weekend brunch.