There is nothing better than a delicious home-cooked breakfast on the weekend. So this weekend, why not impress your family with this Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict!

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict

With smooth and velvety poached eggs, homemade rich and creamy Hollandaise Sauce, and savory smoked salmon in place of your typical Canadian Bacon, this classic breakfast is all placed on a crispy but soft toasted and buttered English muffin!

This fancy-but-easy dish is packed with protein, and all of the savory flavors just meld together creating one of the best breakfasts one can possibly have.

Can I use powdered/packaged Hollandaise mix?

NO!

PLEASE DON’T! Stay away from the powdered sauce mixes.

If you have never tried homemade Hollandaise Sauce, now is the time to do so! You will not regret the little bit of extra work it takes and your guests will thank you!

Buy pasteurized eggs or farm eggs if you are concerned about food safety of cooking with uncooked yolks, but the hot butter does all the cooking you need it to for this sauce to be delicious and safe to eat.

How do I make homemade Hollandaise Sauce?

There are many, many recipes out there for Hollandaise.

However, there are just 5 basic ingredients.

What is in Hollandaise?

• butter
• egg yolks
• lemon juice
• salt
• pepper

The technique is to use a double boiler, and the key to a good Hollandaise sauce is to whip it, WHIP IT GOOD!

The consistency should be thickened but not solid, some use the “figure 8” test to check for the right thickness.

Personally, I just eyeball it.

What is the “figure 8” test?

Using your wire whisk, dip the tip into your sauce and lift, drawing a figure 8 right above the surface with the dripping sauce, if it stays on top  for a second, it’s done!

It is really very simple to make, and well worth your effort!

How do I make poached eggs?

I hate to admit it, but poached eggs foiled me for a LONG time.

I tried all the different methods out there. With vinegar, without vinegar, swirling water, barely bubbling water, cold eggs, room temp eggs, fresh eggs, old eggs, draining out the loose whites, just cracking it into the water…

ALL OF IT.

And never could I get a properly poached egg at the end of that ordeal.

There are many opinions for what exactly is the “right” way to poach an egg. From all the methods I described above, and then also to leaving the pan uncovered with the burner on, or covered with the burner off. There are many gadgets and implements available from egg cookers to cute little poaching cups.

But basically all you need is a saucepan and the key is to use VERY fresh eggs. It takes a little practice to find the method that works the best for you.

I personally still prefer to add a little vinegar to the water to help avoid the “wisps”, and to crack your eggs into a small ramekin before gently slipping them into the simmering (not boiling) water. Turn the burner way down or completely off, cover and set your timer for 3-4 minutes. Then remove with a slotted spoon and pat with a paper towel to remove any excess water.

If you’ve never poached an egg before, just give it a whirl and practice a little bit. Eggs are great for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack.

My favorite little kitchen gadget for this is from OXO, and has made it super easy to get consistent results for egg poaching. It is linked down in the recipe card, so make sure to check it out if you struggle with making a great poached egg!

What can I serve with Eggs Benedict?

This Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict is a meal in itself, but you may want to provide some sides to please the heartier of appetite. Here are a few ideas for sides that pair well with Eggs Benedict.

• Bacon
• Sausage
• Hashbrowns
• Variety of fruits such as melons, grapes, kiwi, berries
• Fruit salad
• A simple “salad” of spinach and sliced tomatoes
• Fried potatoes
• Grilled asparagus
• Pancakes
• French toast

What about drinks?

If you’re serving for breakfast?

• Orange juice
• Milk
• Chocolate milk

If you’re serving this for brunch?

• Blood Orange Cider Mimosa
• Cranberry Orange Mimosa
• Winter Champagne Punch with Rosemary Honey Syrup

If you’re serving this for lunch or dinner?

• Lemonade
• Water with ice and berries or a slice of lemon
• Ice cold milk

Whenever you decide to serve this delicious Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, this is definitely a meal worthy of some company, or for anyone special in your life.

This dish is elegant and simple to make, yet complex in flavor with the combination of the velvety poached egg, the smoked salmon and the creamy hollandaise sauce.

A perfect dish to serve to your family and friends no matter what the occasion!