Contributed by Lisa Pratto, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru
Eggs Benedict, like many infamous recipes, have a shadowy beginning.
Many competing stories abound as to who actually created the dish, but the general consensus is that around 1894 this classic brunch treat entered our culinary lives. Purists would shudder at anything less than an exact copy of the original, but the following twists on the classic are all quite tasty.
For something different, try any of these top ten egg Benedict recipes:
10. Surfside
It’s a quick and easy twist to replace the Canadian bacon with a crab cake when assembling your brunch dish. Be sure to serve with a side of hot sauce for an extra kick.
9. Upscale McD’s
It is rumored that when McDonald’s started serving breakfast in 1971 they modeled their Egg McMuffin after traditional eggs benedict recipes. Of course, serving hollandaise via a drive-thru window is tough, so they substituted with a slice of cheddar cheese. In fact, many restaurants actually picked up on this trick and use an easier-to-prepare cheese sauce on their brunch menu.
8. Tex Mex
Eggs Benedict can go spicy with just a few changes. Swap out the English muffin for a slice of cornbread and the sauce for some sour cream and salsa.
7. Key West Style
A squeeze of lime juice in your hollandaise sauce and some nicely sautéed scallops instead of Canadian bacon will give eggs Benedict recipes a Key West, beach vibe.
6. Benjamin v. Benedict
For an updated flavor, trade your eggs Benedict recipes for a Benjamin version. Assemble your English muffin, sliced ham and poached egg with a slice of Swiss cheese on top and broil until melted. Enjoy.
5. Eggs Florentine
Anytime you see the word Florentine you know that the recipe is referring to spinach, which is a great addition to eggs benedict recipes. It takes the flavors to a whole other level of tastiness.
4. American
Try switching out the Canadian bacon for thick cut, crispy, peppered American bacon. You can take this version a step further and add a thin slice of tomato and a cheese sauce in lieu of hollandaise.
3. Gluten Free
Some people have issues with gluten or are trying to eat less carbs. A great way to tweak egg benedict recipes to suit that lifestyle is to substitute an artichoke heart for the English muffin. Who needs carbs when breakfast tastes this good?
2. Ode to Ireland
Replacing the Canadian bacon with a sliver or two of corned beef makes for a tasty twist on egg benedict recipes and uses up those leftovers nicely.
1. The Classic
The original egg benedict recipes called for a perfectly poached egg sitting atop a toasted English muffin, with either ham or Canadian bacon. The entire masterpiece is then topped with a creamy hollandaise sauce. Yum!