If you have got eggs in your fridge then you are only a few steps away from a quick and tasty breakfast.
Eggs have been with us since the beginning of time, with every single culture using them in all different types of recipes, from being boiled, fried, stuffed, or made into the most delicious desserts.
Head culinary artist at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, Theo Mannie shares below a couple of his favourite egg breakfast recipes for you to enjoy at home.
Egg Benedict
Serves: 4
Ingredients
6 egg yolks
8 whole eggs
100ml vinegar
250g butter
Pinch of salt
4 English muffins or toast
12 cooked bacon rashes
200g cooked sliced mushrooms
Rocket for garnish
Method for Hollandaise sauce:
Melt the butter gently over low heat. Once the butter has melted completely, cool down in the fridge until the milk has separated from the oil.
In the meantime, separate the eggs and keep the egg yolks. Whisk the egg yolks together in a heatproof bowl, with a pinch of salt, a teaspoon of water, and a teaspoon of vinegar until the eggs become light and airy.
Place over bain-marie (double boiler) with the water just under boiling point and not touching the bowl of egg yolks.
Pour in the vinegar and whisk continuously until the eggs become slightly thickened in texture.
Now slowly add the oil from the separated butter, a little at a time, whilst whisking. Continue this process, until the eggs have cooked out and it has become more of custard consistency.
Method for poached eggs:
Using the same water for your bain-marie. Add the remaining vinegar and bring to a gentle boil.
Crack the eggs into a ramekin or small teacup and gently submerge them into the water.
Leave to cook until the eggs start to float and reach the hardness of your liking.
Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and place them on some kitchen towel so the excess water can drain away.
To plate - cut the muffin half sideways and lightly toast them. Layer the bacon and mushrooms over the muffin.
Gently place the poached eggs on top, drizzle the hollandaise sauce over the eggs, and garnish with the fresh rocket.
Cinnamon French toast with confit egg yolk
Serves: 4
Ingredients
12 whole eggs
8 slices bread
1tbsp ground cinnamon
100g butter
100ml olive oil
8 egg yolks
1tbsp fresh thyme
2 cloves of garlic
Method confit egg yolk:
Place the oil, garlic, and thyme in a saucepan and heat up gently on the lowest heat possible.
Gently place the egg yolks and cook for about 3 minutes or until they just begin to change colour.
Transfer onto some kitchen paper so that the excess oil can drip off.
Method for French toast:
Beat together the whole eggs, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl.
Dip the bread until it has been covered completely by the eggs.
In the meantime melt the butter in a large non-stick pan, place the egg coated bread into the pan and fry on medium heat until the toast is cooked on both sides.
Transfer the toast to the oven and bake at 180°C for about 3 to 5 minutes unless you don’t mind runny eggs.
To plate, place the warm toast on a plate with the poached yolk gently sitting on top.
Chorizo and smoked salmon frittata
Serves: 4
Ingredients
8 eggs
200ml cream
50g fennel, finely diced
Pinch salt
Pinch pepper
80g smoked salmon
80g chorizo, sliced
Method
In a bowl, mix together the eggs, cream, fennel, salt, and pepper until completely combined.
Lightly grease a thin tray or an omelette pan with butter or spray-on oil.
Pour the egg mixture into the pan or tray.
Sprinkle the salmon and chorizo and bake in an oven preheated to 180°C and bake until the centre is cooked all the way.
Use a knife or a wooden skewer to check, just as you would a cake.
Remove from the tray or pan and enjoy while hot.