Ya think I’m a little addicted to Eggs Benedict? Well, I’ve had smoothies every morning this week, so I think I’ve earned a little comfort done my way…. a healthier version (better hollandaise, healthier english muffin).
On with the story…..
I woke up this Sunday morning on a ‘do nothing but work on my cookbook kinda day’….. So, what’s the first thing I do? Click on the TV from under the covers and go thru some of my tivo stuff….(don’t want to build that base too big).
Diner’s, Drive-Ins and Dives, first stop on the menu. 653 recorded.
Just kidding.
But when you see show after show after show you think…. I’ve gotta go thru some of these.
Well, lucky for me, he did about 200 shows on bbq. When I sold the house I sold the bbq. But lucky for me my friend Larry gave me his. Nothing fancy, but hey…. it works! And even though animal protein is only 10% of my diet, I thought: “Not a bad idea to do it right. Not a bad idea to watch bbq”. But I do know my daughter would cringe reading this. Yep. She’s a vegan. Animal protein? Yech!
Now, I don’t know how well you know me….
WE KNOW YOU, CHEF MARIAN!
Thank you…. but, what I want to make sure you know is: I never, Never, NEVER follow a recipe. I take ideas from 3-5 things I may see in books or on the web, put it into my own palate and (pardon the graphic description) spit it out the way I imagine it can be. And my foodie friends, you should be doing that too! It take s the strain out of ‘getting it right’, because getting it right means anything you do is right! Be fearless my foodies! lol
So after hours of bbq watching, of course I get a craving for pork. (What was I thinking)? lol But the body doesn’t digest pork easily, and bacon is a killer. (When you use bacon, think bits. You’ll get all of the flavor without it being heart attack on a plate)!
Anyway, so I start thinking procuitto. I put it on the balancer, holding one hand higher than the other. Breakfast? Procuitto? Breakfast? Procuitto?
Eggs Benedict! I always do my Eggs Benedict with Procuitto. Call me Italian (but I’m not). Just don’t call me……
Late for breakfast. heeheeehee
Now, someone last night said, “If you win the prize, you get someone to come cook you breakfast…..” to which I replied: “breakfast in bed baby, breakfast in bed”. Isn’t that romantic? Yeah guys. Keep that in mind after that ‘one nighter’ gone right!
Anyway, getting back to me…. ha…. (‘That’s enough about me. What do you think of me“)? lol
I’ve taught you everything I know about Eggs Benedict (see other blogs on this site). But what I haven’t talked about is the tips and tricks. Well, some of ’em, but not all of them!
So here it is:
It’s about 3 things: Cookage, Drainage and Cleanage.
You are going to make sure you do it easy breezy.
Yeah you could cook the procuitto on the stove top, and the muffins in the toaster. But why??? Just stick it onto a baking sheet (spray olive oil under the meat so it doesn’t stick) 350 degrees and when the eggs are done, so is everything else. Good?
GOOD CHEF MARIAN!
Now how about the drainage. You know you’ve poached your eggs in vinegar (keeps the whites from running all over the place)…. but what about when you go to place the egg on the bread? Hey! I’ve heard stories about people taking a good piece of bread and throwing the egg on there, to absorb the water first, before putting it on the muffin. But why waste a good piece of bread? Paper towel. One down. Egg down. Boom! You’re done!
Now how about the Cleanage? (You remember I make up words right? Like stupidicus?) lol
Keep on dancin’…….
Don’t you just hate getting done eating and having to clean up? And did you know that if you have good pans you can take a hot pan under hot water and it cleans up in a couple of seconds? Yeeaah. It does. And I do. And to tell you the truth, I served myself breakfast this morning and kitchen was as clean as when it first started.
Good tips?
YES CHEF MARIAN!
I’m wishing you a wonderful Sunday!
Happy Eating,
Chef Marian