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Italian Eggs Benedict with Pesto Hollandaise

 

 

I worked in a breakfast cafe through college. This is the reason that I will never be able to eat Hollandaise sauce in a restaurant. Those of you who have also worked in breakfast joints may be nodding your heads in agreement, while those who haven’t may have a puzzled look on your face. If you want a further explanation, this book does a pretty good job. I do, however, love Hollandaise and appease my cravings with a homemade Eggs Benedict at least once a month. I love a twist on a classic recipe (as you can clearly tell by my postings) and pesto goes well with just about everything.

Italian Eggs Benedict with Pesto Hollandaise

4 eggs

4 slices of crust Italian loaf bread

4 slices of prosciutto

4 slices of tomato

4 basil leaves

4 tbs melted butter

2 tsp pesto

4 egg yolks

2 tbs room temp water

1 tbs lemon juice

Poach the eggs, one at a time in simmering/boiling water. Remove with a slotted spoon after about 3 minutes or when the whites are solid and yolk is still soft and uncooked.

This recipe really comes down to the sauce. First, melt the butter with the pesto. Then, in a good quality sauce pan, add the yolks, lemon juice and water and whisk quickly and continually over low heat until it’s frothy and doubled in size (this is an arm work out, be prepared). You don’t want too much heat or you’ll have scrambled eggs. If you need to step away for a second, or if it’s getting to hot, remove from the heat. While continuing to whisk, slowly add the butter in a steady stream. Continue to whisk until thickened, and almost doubled. If your sauce gets too dry and thick, you can add a few tbs of water.

Slice four pieces off a loaf of crust Italian bread. Ciabatta would also work nicely.

 

Toast your bread lightly. I placed mine under a broiler for about 3 minutes. Top your bread with tomatoes, prosciutto, basil, poached egg and then a few tbs of your pesto hollandaise.

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Comments


Eva Toneva July 18, 2011 um 12:16 pm

Delicious and beautiful! Congratulations, Jackie! 🙂

Reply

Tori @ The Shiksa in the Kitchen July 18, 2011 um 1:09 pm

Wow Jackie this looks out of control delish. Great seeing you yesterday! So crazy how the world works, huh? Let’s do it again soon! 🙂

Reply

janet@fromcupcakestocaviar July 18, 2011 um 1:38 pm

I love the idea of the Pesto in the Hollandaise. Cool!

Reply

Lindsey@Lindselicious July 18, 2011 um 8:36 pm

Now I am so curious why you wont eat it… but I feel like I really dont want to know since I love Hollandaise. Ignorance is bliss right? This looks so yummy! Love the bread you did this on too.

Reply

Kelly July 19, 2011 um 6:30 pm

What a gorgeous presentation!! This looks delicious! 🙂

Reply

Lyndsey @ Vanilla Clouds and Lemon Drops July 19, 2011 um 9:34 pm

My mouth is watering! This looks delicious. Eggs Benedict is a favourite in our house along with Italian food so this looks just perfect – I can’t wait to try it for a change. Thanks! : )

Reply

Antipasto recipes August 1, 2011 um 10:24 am

I already made this at home this week – delicious and it was so great in the midst of the summer. Thanks!

Reply

Antipasti recipes August 9, 2011 um 12:50 am

I already made this at home this week – delicious and it was so great in the midst of the summer. Thanks!

Reply

Antipasti recipes August 13, 2011 um 5:02 am

This looks so yummy!

Reply

Olivia @ FatBurningFurnace December 13, 2011 um 3:20 pm

This looks amazing! I have never had anything like this so this is really interesting and looks really yummy! I’m going to try it maybe over the weekend when I can take my time with the recipe and not be rushed during the weekend.

Reply

DK July 24, 2015 um 8:29 am

Can’t wait to make this tomorrow, thank you! Suggestion: Instead of giving yourself an arm workout and worrying about the egg yolks cooking, simply use a double broiler. That’s how I cook my hollandaise, and it makes it much easier.

Reply

DK July 24, 2015 um 8:31 am

Sorry, double BOILER, not broiler.

Reply

Daniel April 1, 2016 um 7:04 am

Hi…This recipe is great. I was puzzled about your remark about never eating Hollandaise sauce at a restaurant and to find out why you essentially told us to read the whole Kitchen Confidential book. It would have been nicer if you can mention the main reason why you won’t eat it at restaurants in a line or two.

Reply

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