Eggs Benedict vs Bacon, Egg and Cheese.... why choose when you can have both?

The ultimate brunch food is Eggs Benedict....soft, gooey soft boiled eggs with a creamy, rich Hollandaise Sauce. This is the perfect mix of decadence and simplicity. Poached eggs can sometimes be difficult to make at home but they don't need to be! If you add just a splash of white vinegar to the water when poaching the eggs they come out perfect every time - no need for crazy stirring or special containers. This time I skipped the lux Hollandaise sauce and stuck to a simple preparation that was just as satisfying (while saving quite a few calories).

This Poached Egg is served on top of a toasted round of wheat bread with some pepper jack cheese, slices of thick cut bacon and a perfectly cooked egg.... with a yolk ready that is ready to spill out with just the lightest touch of your fork! Just a simple sprinkle of salt and pepper tops it off for the perfect breakfast treat in only 5 minutes.

8/14/10 - Weekend Breakfast...bacon, egg and cheese

Living in the city, there is pretty much a deli on every corner selling the ubiquitous breakfast hang over cure - a greasy bacon, egg and cheese. If you had a bit too much to drink the night before sometimes the only way to make it through the day is by coating your oh so sensitive tummy in this heart attack in a bulkie roll. While this homemade version probably isn't any healthier for you, I have upgraded the ingredients to at least give it a hint of class.

The only way to make this is to just go for it - any low fat or "healthy" versions will just leave you wishing for the real thing. Plus after tossing back a dozen or so tequila shots just a few short hours ago why even pretend to be healthy? While I have to admit that though I have lived in NJ for 4 years now I am still not familiar with the pork roll (aka taylor ham) version of this breakfast treat, thick sliced bacon is hands down my meat of choice. I added some nice local NY state sharp cheddar as my base on a Nature's Pride Country White Roll* and topped it all off with 2 farm fresh fried eggs. For condiments, I went with some fresh herbs (chives, thyme and parsley) from my window box (remember this is the city still! we don't have gardens here) and some spicy ketchup... however a fresh Jersey tomato slice would also be right at home here as well.
Serve it with a nice tall ice cold bloody mary if you need a little "medicine" to get you going or a steamy hot cup of coffee.


*As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker's program I receieved samples of this product.