Very British Breakfast
Ingredients
- 8 medium eggs, see GH TIP
- 4 English muffins, halved
- 8 slices honey roast ham
- 1 tbsp. finely chopped chives
- 2 -3tsp cider vinegar, to taste
- 2 tsp. Marmite, see intro
- 2 medium egg yolks
- 150 g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
Instructions
- First, poach the eggs. Half-fill a large pan of water and bring to the boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Fill a large bowl with ice-cold water. Crack an egg into a ramekin or coffee cup, then neatly pour into the simmering water. Working quickly, add 3 more eggs in the same way.
- Poach for 3min, or until, when lifted out with a slotted spoon, the whites feel firm but the yolks remain soft. Transfer immediately to the cold water to stop the cooking. Repeat with remaining 4 eggs. Set aside (keep the water simmering).
- For the hollandaise, in a large heatproof bowl whisk 2tsp vinegar and the Marmite until the Marmite has mostly dissolved, then whisk in the egg yolks. Set bowl over the large pan of barely simmering water.
- Add the butter a couple of cubes at a time, whisking constantly and only adding more when the previous cubes have melted. Occasionally scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
- Once all the butter has been incorporated (the hollandaise should be fairly thick) remove bowl from the heat and check seasoning, adding a little extra vinegar if needed for acidity. Whisk in 2-3tbsp water, if needed, to thin slightly to a coating consistency. Wrap a tea towel around the outside of the bowl to keep the sauce warm and set aside.
- Toast the muffin halves until golden. Bring water in the pan back up to a gentle simmer. Using the slotted spoon, carefully transfer the poached eggs back to the water and reheat for 30sec. Lift out of the water and transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper.
- Divide the toasted muffin halves between 4 plates and top each with a slice of ham, followed by a poached egg. Spoon over the warm hollandaise and sprinkle over the chives. Serve with roasted cherry tomatoes, if you like.
