Poached Eggs With Smoked Salmon And Bubble Squeak Recipes

BLANCHED ASPARAGUS - POACHED EGG - FRESH SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• Half-fill a medium-large saucepan with water, season generously with salt and bring to the boil. Instead of putting a lid on, put a large bowl on top but don't let it touch the water. Put the butter, a pinch of salt and pepper and the juice of 1 lemon into the bowl.
• This is going to sound cheffy, but it's simple, so bear with me ... Tear off 8 sheets of good- quality cling film, each roughly 40cm square. Get yourself 4 teacups or small bowls and rub the rims with olive oil. Place a double layer of cling film on top of each one and carefully push it in so that it snugly lines the cups. Use your finger to lightly oil the inside - this will help your egg come out easily at the end. Put a tiny pinch of salt, pepper and chilli flakes into each cup then pick the celery and tarragon leaves and divide them between the cups too - try to help these flavours to spread up the sides, if you can.
• Carefully crack the egg into the cling film, then gently push the yolk down so the egg white surrounds it (without it breaking). Bring the cling film up into a bundle, then tie it in a knot and try to squeeze the knot down so it creates a perfect pouch and seals it (imagine a goldfish in a fairground plastic bag).
• Once the water is boiling, remove the bowl (the butter should be melted now) and place your eggs in the water along with the asparagus. It takes between 5 and 6 minutes at a gentle simmer for a large egg. Place the bowl or a lid back on top and after 3 or 4 minutes remove the asparagus to the bowl of lemony butter and quickly toss.
• Meanwhile, arrange 2 pieces of smoked salmon on each plate. Pull out one of your eggs after 5 minutes and have a little feel (it should have a similar texture to fresh mozzarella). If it still seems undercooked, pop it back in for another minute or so.
• Neatly divide the asparagus between your plates. Cut off the cling film knots with a pair of scissors, peel away the rest, then carefully lift the eggs with a tablespoon and serve them right on top of your asparagus. If you've done a good job, not only will you have perfect poached eggs, but the herbs and seasonings will have cooked into the egg and become one, like a stained glass window, which is really cute. Poke a knife into the egg to let the yolk run, and serve with wedges of lemon on the side.

SMOKED SALMON SANDWICH WITH POACHED EGG

Steps:

• Fill a large saucepan with water, 1 1/2 inches below the rim. Put the pan on the stove over high heat until it reaches about 190 degrees F (88 degrees C) or until you start to see bubbles at the bottom of the pan. Pour white vinegar and salt into the water and stir to distribute. Reduce heat to medium-low.
• Crack egg into a custard cup. Carefully place the custard cup into the water and slowly tilt until egg is fully submerged, being careful egg does not fall into the water. Set a timer for 6 minutes and keep an eye on the egg as it cooks.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Pour balsamic vinegar onto a flat plate and lay 1 piece of bread in the vinegar until coated. Repeat to coat the remaining piece. Place both pieces, vinegar-side down, in the hot skillet and cook until slightly charred, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Remove 1 piece bread to a plate, vinegar-side up. Top with garlic powder, pepper, and salmon. Carefully remove poached egg with a slotted spoon and place on top of smoked salmon. Top with remaining piece of bread, vinegar-side down.

POACHED EGGS WITH SMOKED SALMON AND BUBBLE & SQUEAK

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes in a pan of boiling water until tender, then drain.
• Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan or wok. Sweat the cabbage and the spring onions in the pan for a couple of mins. Meanwhile, chop and squash the potatoes roughly, then add to the pan along with the chives. Cook for 4-5 mins, flip it over (don't worry if it breaks) and cook for a further 4-5 mins.
• Meanwhile, bring a small pan of water to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat so it is just simmering. Crack the eggs into the pan and simmer for about 3 mins until the whites are cooked and the yolk is just beginning to set. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
• To serve, divide the bubble & squeak between 2 plates, place the smoked salmon and poached eggs on top and grind over a little black pepper, to taste.