Maybe it's because there isn't a speck of Irish blood in my veins, but I have to admit that I just don't get the hullabaloo over St Patrick's Day.
There was a time, back when I was a twenty-something youngster, when St Patrick's Day usually meant sneaking out of work early to grab a table at the nearest pub.
Once there, we'd consume plate after plate of Irish nachos (a surprisingly tasty concoction made from waffle-cut fries topped with cheddar, green onions, tomatoes, bacon and sour cream), chug several pints of green beer, and then eventually stumble home through a minefield of green barf. Good times.
But now I'm an thirty-something old fart. A single pint of green beer gets me jolly and a second pint puts me under the table, so I have to settle for a slightly more low-key option if I want to celebrate.
Something like... say... a big ol' plate of Eggs St Patrick, which is what I've decided to call my Irish-inspired twist on classic Eggs Benedict (because while Benedict is a perfectly lovely name and all, it's not all that Irish at all).
Eggs Benny with an Irish Twist
So, what makes them Irish, you ask? Well, to start, I've replaced the usual English muffin with an Irish boxty, a plump golden-crisp pan fried potato cake that's affectionately known as "poor man's bread".
Then, I topped off the boxty with a little smoked salmon, since Ireland is well known for making a mighty fine smoked salmon (though mine is admittedly Canadian, because that's what I could get), and added a little sauteed spinach for a little splash of St Patty's Day green.
And then, a wobbly-yolked poached egg and a generous ladleful of blender Hollandaise sauce finish it all off, since it's not a Benny without them.
Yeah, I'll admit, it's hardly an authentic Irish recipe if you're inclined to be a purist... but then again, I'm pretty sure Irish nachos and green beer aren't all that authentic either.
And, unlike those pitchers of green beer, there's absolutely no hangover to worry about the next day. Which, when you're old and boring like me, sounds like a pretty damn good way to celebrate St Patrick's Day (or any other day, for that matter).
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Eggs St Patrick (aka Irish Eggs Benedict)
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Shake up your brunch routine with this Irish-inspired twist on Eggs Benedict, made with golden-crisp potato cakes, sauteed spinach, smoked salmon, poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce.
Ingredients
Blender Hollandaise
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 tbsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- Dash cayenne
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Boxty Cakes:
- 1 large baking potato, grated (~1 cup)
- 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes
- 1 cup flour
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp butter
Sauteed Spinach
- 2 tbsp butter
- 6 cups baby spinach
- Salt and pepper
Poached Eggs
- 8 eggs
- 2 tsp white vinegar
Garnishes
- ½ lb smoked salmon
- Paprika or snipped chives (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Boxty (make up to 1 day in advance):
- Wrap up the grated potatoes with a clean kitchen towel, and squeeze tightly to remove as much liquid as possible.
- In a large bowl, mix together the grated potatoes, mashed potatoes, flour, green onions, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the buttermilk until you have a smooth, thick mixture.
- In a large heavy-bottomed skillet set over medium-high heat, melt 1 tbsp butter. Working In batches of 3-4 cakes at a time (depending on the size of your pan), spoon the batter into the pan using a heaping ¼ cup measure for each boxty. Using a spatula, flatten each cake to roughly ½-inch thick. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, turning just once, until the cakes are crispy and golden-brown. Transfer the finished cakes to a baking sheet in a 300F oven to keep warm while you work on the remaining elements.
- (If making in advance, let the cakes cool completely, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The next day, simply warm them up in a 375F oven while you take care of the spinach and eggs.)
Prepare the Hollandaise (make up to 1 day in advance):
- In a small saucepan set over medium-high heat, heat the butter until melted and sizzling hot.
- Meanwhile, in the bowl of a blender, combine egg yolks, lemon juice, mustard and cayenne. Blend on high speed for about 30 seconds, or until you have a smooth, pale yellow mixture.
- Reduce the blender speed to low and, with the blender still running, slowly drizzle in the butter in a thin stream until it's completely incorporated into the sauce.
- Once the butter has all been poured in, run the blender for another 2-3 minutes to ensure the sauce is completely emulsified. If the sauce looks too thick, add more lemon juice, 1 tbsp at a time, until it loosens up to the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- (If making in advance, refrigerate the finished sauce, then reheat using 10-second bursts in a microwave or a double-boiler set over simmering water - be careful not to overheat, though, as the sauce will separate if it gets too hot.)
Saute the Spinach:
- In a large saucepan set over medium-high heat, melt the butter until foamy. Add spinach and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until soft and wilted. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Poach the Eggs (make up to 3 hours ahead):
- Fill a large pot with 4″ of water, and stir in the vinegar.
- Bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. (Do not let the water reach a full rolling boil – you want it to be at a bare simmer for the next step.)
- Working with one egg at a time, crack an egg into a small ramekin, then gently slide the egg into the hot water. Use a spatula or slotted spoon to gently nudge the egg back into shape as it sets. Repeat the process with a second egg. Cook both eggs for 3-4 minutes, or until whites are set and yolk is still slightly wobbly.
- Repeat with remaining eggs, poaching no more than two at a time - any more than this will throw off the timing.
- (If making in advance, plunge the finished eggs into an ice water bath, then reheat in boiling water for 20-30 seconds when ready to serve.)
Assemble the Bennies:
- Place two boxties on each plate, and top each one with one or two slices of smoked salmon. Arrange the spinach on top of the smoked salmon, dividing evenly between the portions, then top off with poached eggs and a generous amount of Hollandaise sauce overtop. Finish with a dusting of paprika or a sprinkling of snipped chives.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Brunch
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This post is part of the St Patrick's Day Recipes exchange organized by Jen of Jen's Favourite Cookies. For more fabulous St Patty's Day goodies, check out the rest of the posts:
- Key Lime Pound Cake by Joan at Chocolate Chocolate & More
- Mini Banoffee Pie Tarts by Kelly at Kelly Bakes
- Chocolate Bailey's Mousse Tart from Nancy at Gotta Get Baked
- Irish Carbomb Cupcakes from Susan at Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Pistachio Caramel Cookies from Jen at Jen's Favorite Cookies
- Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust by Carla at Chocolate Moosey
- Bailey's Irish Cream Cheese Trifle from Anita at Hungry Couple NYC
- Key Lime Pie Ice Cream from Renee at Magnolia Days
- Pistachio Mousse Cups from Kim at Cravings of a Lunatic
- St. Patrick's Day Cookie Stack from Angie at Big Bears Wife
- Guinness Chocolate Cake from Jen at Juanita's Cocina
- Irish Potato Oatmeal Bread from Sarah at What Smells So Good
Dimitri says
It is one of ma favorite breakfasts... Some variations on "Eggs Benedict":
1. Poach the eggs in a good Bordeaux. The colour and the taste are amazing. Serve with a heavily smoked bacon or spec or a dark brad.
2. Instead of Hollandaise sauce use an aioli (easy on the garlic and use instdead of salmon salted cod, (japanese) dried fish flakes
To make life easier, one can put the eggs in cling film before immersing them into to keep a nice shape or add a spoonful (or more) of white wine vinegar; not only it keeps it "in shape" but also it adds to the flavor! Off to make eggs now...
Isabelle Boucher says
Eggs poached in wine? Dimitri, I'm totally picking up what you're putting down!
It reminds me of a dish called Eggs Meurette that one of my favourite brunch spots used to make, which took things a little bit further by using a croissant as the base and then topping everything off with a red wine, mushroom and bacon sauce. It's downright heavenly, though definitely a once-a-year sort of dish.
Carla says
Funny - I've never made Eggs Benedict before (I'm not even sure if I've ever even had one?!), yet I know it's something I would love with the egg. And I love your Irish twist! You really went all out changing the different ingredients.
Tiffany says
These eggs look phenomenal! Thank you for posting. I too am past green beer so am looking forward to trying this on St Patty's!
Sarah Reid, CNP (@jo_jo_ba) says
This immediately made me think of my mom, she is a huge benny fan and is so over the gaudy green stuff too
movita beaucoup says
Should I ever become un-lazy, and actually sign the paperwork, I'll be officially Irish. A passport holding Irish woman. And should that happen, I will go to Ireland and eat eggs benedict EVERY DAY. Because they're my fav.
Susan says
The only thing I like celebrating about St. Patrick's Day these days is cooking up an Irish meal and enjoying a beer at home. No going out for me, as I took am an old 30 something fart! This right is here is more my style! :-)
Stephanie says
mmm boxty!! This is genius. Perfect for those celebrating without the booze, and a good hang-over meal for people who over-celebrated ;)
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
Eggs benedict is my absolute favorite breakfast, and I love finding new ways to eat it. This is amazing! I wish I had some salmon so I could go make it right now...
Kim Bee says
Bah ha ha, love the part about the green beer. I dig this recipe Izz. It's gorgeous. Hubs would go nuts for this.
Shanna@ pineapple and coconut says
I LOVE eggs benny. Like its the only thing I order when I go out to brunch/breakfast. Its seriously my absolute fave - and I love any variety and this looks amazing!! And I am with everyone else on the green beer thing - ew!! No thanks! I would take these eggs benedict over green beer any day!!
Yvonne says
I think I'm going to have to make this one this weekend! Eggs Benny is my favourite food to eat, and I love boxtys! Thanks for sharing this one!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Isabelle, I love this post. First off, it totally brought me back to those university days of continuous drinking and eating terrible (but delicious) pub food. I'll choose to forget about the group vomiting. Good times indeed! I adore eggs benedict but never make it at home because I'm afraid of making hollandaise. I need to pull my big blogger girl pants up and face my fear because this looks amazing. I love that you used a potato cake instead of an English muffin, yum!
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
This breakfast looks like my kind of St. Patrick's Day celebration. Except, yeah, I might take the Irish Nachos too! Thanks for being part of our St. Patrick's Day Recipe Party!
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife says
What a perfect breakfast for St. Patricks Day or really any day! yum!
PolaM says
Authentic or not it is delicious and that is all we care about!
Jen @ Juanita's Cocina says
I want to be Irish if this is what I get to eat.
Renee says
I can't think of a better way to start off St. Patrick's day than with this eggs benedict. And I'll skip the green beer too.
kelly @ kellybakes says
Maybe it *is* the Irish blood in my veins, but I could never bring myself to try green beer. It's just...wrong. But this eggs benedict? This is very, very right. (and your hollandaise is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s! or, as Google Translate has informed me: álainn!)
Joan@Chocolateandmore says
I'm with you, I'm way past the green beer thing. I think A hearty breakfast like this is the best way to celebrate St. Patty's.