How Many Calories in Eggs Benedict?

My ideal Sunday starts off with a leisurely brunch with the girls, gossiping and sharing news and giggling over this and that. And in this perfect brunch, the meal is pretty much always the same: Eggs Benedict, either the traditional kind or a different version with smoked salmon, brie mushrooms .... my mouth is watering just thinking about it. It's definitely my favourite way to have eggs. And I rationalize my choice by telling myself that eggs are good for me, English muffins are fairly low-cal, ham is a good source of protein and the hollandaise is ... well ... a source of calcium, I guess.

I'm going to hate myself for not allowing ignorant bliss when it comes to brunch, but I have to know. Am I right to rationalize, or is my favourite breakfast food terrible for me? Does traditional Eggs Benedict have:

a) 968 cal, 65 g of fat
b) 892 cal, 71 g of fat
c) 642 cal, 43 g of fat
d) 550 cal, 26 g of fat

Erm ... it's b) 892 cal, 71 g of fat. Ignorance definitely is bliss -- I don't know how I can eat this again in good conscious knowing what it's probably doing to my arteries. The good news is there's a whole shwack of low-fat Eggs Benedict recipes, though you'll have to make them at home.

Best Sunday Brunch - Easy Eggs Benedict Recipe

An Easy Alternative to the Classic and Difficult Egg Dish

Normally the province of professional chefs, a delicious Eggs Benedict can be yours with a blender, some fresh ham and a few simple steps.

As egg recipes go, a traditional Eggs Benedict can appear difficult and time-consuming. The classic Hollandaise Sauce recipe involves stirring butter, lemon juice and egg yolks in a saucepan until they mix into a cream. However, there is a much easier method—you can use this recipe to whip up your own Hollandaise Sauce with just a blender and a microwave.

Easy Eggs Benedict Recipe

Ingredients:

• 5 large eggs
• 2 slices thick ham or Canadian bacon
• 1 English muffin
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp salt
• Pepper to taste
• 8 tbsp butter
• 5 drops Tabasco sauce

Directions:

1. Crack open three eggs on the side of a cup and pour out the whites. Drop the three yolks into a blender.
2. Add lemon juice, salt and Tabasco. Pulse the blender for five seconds; set aside.
3. Slice the butter into chunks and place in a cup. Set the microwave on high; cook the butter for one minute or until melted.
4. While blending the mixture on a low setting, slowly drizzle in the butter. If you did this correctly, the mixture should thicken and take on a creamy consistency.
5. Pour the mixture into a cup or gravy boat and set aside. Fill a large pan with water and set on the stove at high heat.
6. While the water is heating, set two slices of the ham or Canadian bacon at the bottom of a small pan. Set on the stove at medium heat; cook for five minutes or until browned.
7. Toast both halves of the English muffin. Set on a plate; top each half with one slice of ham or Canadian bacon.
8. Crack the two remaining eggs into the boiling water. Cook until the eggs turn white; remove with a slotted spoon and set on top of the ham slices. Cover with the Hollandaise Sauce and serve.

Tips for the Perfect Eggs Benedict:

- Drain the eggs on a paper towel before you set them on the ham slices. This absorbs excess water and prevents the sauce from losing its texture.
- Add a few drops of hot sauce to the toasted English muffin for a spicier, more layered flavor.
- Replace the ham slices with three slices of pan-fried bacon. This produces a crispy and succulent variation of the classic dish.
- Place a sprig of parsley atop the egg just before you add the hollandaise sauce. This will infuse the sauce with the flavor of the parsley.
- Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the boiling water. This imparts a tangy quality to the eggs and can help quicken the cooking process.