Eggs Benedict With Virginia Ham And Cornbread Recipes

EGGS BENEDICT WITH VIRGINIA HAM AND CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F.
• Lightly oil an 8-inch square baking pan.
• Dust the bottom and sides with flour, tapping out the excess.
• FOR CORNBREAD: In a bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt.
• Using a pastry blender or 2 forks, cut in the shortening until crumbly.
• Add the corn kernels, buttermilk and eggs and stir with a whisk until smooth.
• Transfer to the prepared pan.
• Bake until the top is a golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, let cool briefly, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Using a round cutter 3 1/2 inches in diameter, cut out 4 rounds.
• Slice each round in half horizontally.
• Set aside.
• Leave the oven set at 350 degrees F.
• FOR HOLLANDAISE SAUCE: In a stainless-steel bowl, combine the egg yolks, lemon juice, shallot, vinegar and salt.
• Place over (not touching) simmering water in a pan and whisk together continuously until the mixture is a pale lemon yellow and falls in thick ribbons when the whisk is lifted, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the water and cayenne.
• Then, while whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the clarified butter until all of it has been used and a thick emulsion has formed.
• Cover and keep warm.
• FOR EGGS: Pour water into a large frying pan to a depth of 3 inches and bring to a boil.
• Adjust the heat so the water is just below the boiling point.
• Add the salt and vinegar.
• One at a time, crack the eggs into a small ramekin or tea cup and gently lower into the water.
• Work as quickly as possible so that all the eggs will cook in about the same amount of time.
• Cook until the whites are firm but the yolks are still soft, 3-4 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs to a paper towel-lined platter to drain.
• Trim away any straggly strands of egg.
• Place 2 corn bread rounds, cut sides up, on each warmed individual plate.
• Top each round with an equal amount of the ham and a poached egg.
• Spoon the hollandaise over the top, garnish with the chives and serve immediately.

QUICK CALIFORNIA-STYLE HAM AND EGGS BENEDICT

Steps:

• Bake biscuits according to package.
• Combine melted butter, 1 tablespoons chives; split biscuits, and brush with mixture.
• Place biscuits, buttered side up on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 5 minutes or until toasted.
• Meanwhile, prepare Hollandaise according to package, using milk and lemon juice but omit the butter.
• Sauté ham in skillet over med- heat 3 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Stir ham and red pepper, if using, into Hollandaise sauce; keep warm.
• Add water to a depth of 2 inches in a large sauce pan.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and maintain at a light simmer.
• Add ½ teas white vinegar. Break eggs one at a time into a large serving spoon, and slip carefully into the water.
• Simmer 3-5 minutes or to desired doneness.
• Remove with slotted spoon. Trim edges with sharp knife.
• To Serve:.
• Place bottom biscuit halves, buttered side up on 4 warmed plates.
• Top with arugula, slices of avocado (if using), and then poached eggs.
• Pour the Hollandaise mixture evenly over eggs.
• Sprinkle with remain chives and black pepper to taste.
• Serve remaining biscuit halves on side.

EGGS BENEDICT

Steps:

• For the hollandaise: Whisk together the egg yolks, lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium metal bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (don't let the bottom of the bowl touch the water). While whisking, slowly drizzle in the melted butter, starting just a few drops at a time and then adding in a slow stream, whisking until all the butter is incorporated and the hollandaise is very thick. Whisk in hot water, a teaspoon at a time, to get a sauce that you can drizzle with a spoon. Season with additional lemon juice and salt if needed. Remove the pot from the heat, stir in the green chiles and cilantro. Keep the hollandaise warm in the bowl.
• For the benedict: Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, and when melted, add the sliced ham and cook, turning once, until crisped, about 1 minute per side. Remove to a plate. Add the shrimp to the skillet and sprinkle with the chili powder and salt, adding additional butter if the pan is dry. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the shrimp are cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to the plate with the ham.
• Fill a high-sided skillet with about 4 inches of water. Bring to a simmer and add the vinegar. Break the eggs into a small bowl, one at a time, and slide into the simmering water. Simmer gently until the whites are set and the yolks are slightly runny, about 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• To assemble, place 2 pieces of toast on 4 plates. Top each piece of toast with a piece of ham and a couple tablespoons of the tomato jam. Then top each piece with 2 shrimp and a poached egg. Stir the hollandaise sauce (add a little more hot water if it has thickened too much) and spoon over the eggs. Garnish with the scallion greens and lemon zest.