Here is the last post in the Mother’s Day series. After this one I am taking the weekend off!
I thought a savoury dish was in order to finish off the brunch/afternoon tea ideas I have been posting. This is also great because, remember the egg yolks leftover after making the Cherry Madeira Financiers? They can be used up here in the Hollandaise sauce, so don’t throw egg yolks away! There is always great use for them.
Eggs Benedict is such an elegant and sophisticated dish. When I see it on breakfast menus, I always feel like I should order it just to feel like I am some high ranking lady of leisure; elegance and grace just dripping off me. Of course, I hardly ever do and almost always end up with 2 eggs, over medium with potatoes and fruit and so, continue to feel like a middle aged, desperate, housewife from the suburbs.
I am also a lover of waffles, more so than pancakes. I especially love the true, yeasted Belgian waffles and those are the ones I make regularly at home. To kick the waffles up a couple of notches and dress them up for Mother’s Day, I decided to use them in place of the English muffin in an Eggs Benedict.
I chose to make just plain waffles not the yeasted ones, but used the Belgian waffle technique of separating the eggs and whipping the egg whites till nice and stiff. The amount of butter is also negotiable and they can be made using 4 tablespoons or up to 1 1/2 sticks (170g). It all depends on how rich you want them. In this application where you have a rich Hollandise sauce and eggs, you may want to cut back on the butter….or go all out! I went midway and used 1 stick/113g.
I could have done a straight up florentine and used spinach but I decided to add a bit of an English twist by using roasted tomatoes. We English love tomatoes with our breakfasts, grilled, roasted or even just cut up with some salt. I sliced up some plum tomatoes and roasted them with some olive oil, herbs and garlic for 30 minutes in my toaster oven. They came out slightly shrivelled, golden around the edges and smelled amazing. The true test was in the tasting and they were so sweet and garlicky I couldn’t keep my fingers off of them.
My version is vegetarian, but you can easily add slices of your favourite breakfast meat or even sausages sliced in half. This would really be an English fry up Benedict then!
However, even without the meat, this was a great Belgian Waffle Benedict and the roasted tomatoes with the creamy, herby Hollandaise was a perfect sauce to drizzle on it. Not only did the plate look elegant, it tasted absolutely amazing and I highly recommend you try this. If you are fond of waffles like I am, you will definitely love this dish.
Serves: depends on waffle size, approx 5-6
- 1¾ cups/270g plain/all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon/15g baking powder
- 2 tablespoons/30g sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 8 tablespoons butter/113g
- 1½ cups/355g milk
- 6 plum tomatoes, sliced, seeds removed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian herbs or fresh herbs
- 4 garlic cloves, sliced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 egg yolks
- 1½ tablespoons water
- 8 tablespoons/113g butter, melted and kept warm
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped fine
- pinch salt
- 5 organic eggs, poached or fried
- Sift into a large bowl, the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
- In another bowl, mix together milk, egg yolks and melted butter.
- In a stand mixer or with a handheld, mix the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Add the egg milk mixture to the flour mixture and mix to blend.
- Add the whipped egg whites and fold in.
- Some egg white can be visible and you don't want to over mix and deflate the mixture.
- In a preheated waffle maker, spray non stick spray and then ladle in batter according to your waffle maker instructions.
- Mine is a Belgian waffle maker and it makes 6 and ½ inch waffles.
- I used about a cup of batter to fill the waffle maker and got 5 waffles.
- Once all the waffles are made, keep them warm in the oven on low heat or on warm setting.
- Lay the tomato slices onto a baking sheet or roasting dish/tin.
- Drizzle olive oil all over and then sprinkle the herbs and sea salt, and scatter the garlic slices all aorund.
- Bake in a preheated 400℉/200℃ oven for 30 minutes.
- Once done, remove from the oven and keep warm until ready to assemble the benedicts.
- Assemble a double boiler.
- In the top bowl of the double boiler, add the egg yolks and water and whisk until light and foamy.
- Put the bowl on top of the boiler and on gently simmering water, whisk the egg yolks.
- By hand, it took me 3 minutes to get the yolks nice and thick.
- Pull the bowl off the heat, and slowly add the warm, melted butter in a steady stream whisking continuously.
- Add the parsley and some salt to taste.
- Keep the Hollandaise warm on the boiler (turn off heat)
- If at any time the Hollandaise separates or gets to thick and cold, just add drops of warm water and whisk.
- It should get back to a drizzling consistency.
- This makes about 1 cup and should be enough for 5 waffle benedicts.
- When you are ready to serve, poach or fry the eggs.
- To assemble, lay a waffle down on a plate, arrange a few slices of roasted tomatoes, add a fried egg on top and finish off by drizzling some Hollandaise on top.
- I only used a half a waffle for my plate, but you can use one whole depending once again on the size and shape of your waffles.
Finally, to all the wonderful mothers out there who everyday sacrifice their time, sleep, career, hopes and dreams, you are all awesome. Your reward is in your children and their future and the biggest reward you get is to watch them grow up to be amazing individuals. It’s always a little bittersweet for me because my mother is no longer here but she was an amazing mother and woman and I remember our good times. I miss her and love her immensely.
To all the mothers and their children and husbands, have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend!
laurasmess says
This looks gorgeous Nazneen! I’ve only just stumbled upon your blog but your photography, writing and recipes are beautiful. My husband loves eggs benedict, however it’s presented. I think he’d adore your waffle version with a side of bacon! Thanks for the recipe. Can’t wait to check out more of your content xx
laurasmess recently posted..Curing Olives (and an Introduction to Hippy Vic)
Nazneen says
Thanks Laura! Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a wonderful comment.
The Gourmet Student says
Combining my 2 favourite breakfast dishes into one? HEAVEN!
The Gourmet Student recently posted..Maple Mustard Brussel Sprouts
Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too says
Love these. Thx for commenting on my site. Your recipes are amazing and the pics are beautiful
Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too recently posted..Friday Five – The Cupcake addition
Nazneen says
Thank you Peter! It was nice to find your website too. Thanks for visiting!
Deepti says
Belated happy mothers day Nazneen.. loved all your dishes for mothers day! Wonderful way of presenting egg benedict.
Deepti recently posted..Coconut cupcakes
Nazneen says
Thanks Deepti! Nice to see you around again.
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
Oh happy Mother’s day to you, Nazneen! I love your version of Eggs BEN!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen recently posted..Kesong Puti & Malunggay Dip + Garlic Oregano Toasts
Nazneen says
Thanks Peachy!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Love waffles but never really had it savory before. This looks yum!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com recently posted..Chocolate Avocado Mousse Tart
Nazneen says
Thanks Kiran. I prefer savoury stuff for breakfast most of the time and I usually even eat my pancakes with eggs rather than syrup. Savoury waffles are great especially with a bit of cheese in them.
john@kitchenriffs says
I need to get a waffle maker! I love them, and really am taken by the idea of Waffles Benedict. Great pictures, and an inspired recipe. Thanks, and Happy Mother’s Day!
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Pasta, Bean, and Tuna Salad
Nazneen says
Yes! You must get a waffle maker! The yeasted waffles are the best things in the world, and this Benedict is pretty good too. Thanks John!
Sugar et al says
What a gorgeous gorgeous brunch idea! With or without Mother’s day, I would love to eat this. I love eggs benedict and the twist that you added just makes it so special. Lovely pictures too. Wonderful Nazneen!
Sugar et al recently posted..Celebrating Mommy! Corn and Chive Pikelets with Smoked Salmon and Sour Cream
Nazneen says
Thank you Sonali! I hope you try this version of the benedict, it turned out really well and I really liked the tomatoes. Thanks for your sweet comment 🙂
ChgoJohn says
Waffles Benedict? You are one clever Mom, Nazneen! I love that you aded roasted tomatoes. They are my favorite part of a proper English breakfast when I’ve been lucky enough to be across The Pond. This would make a wonderful breakfast. I hope you enjoy a wonderful Mothers Day, Nazneen, surrounded by those you love.
ChgoJohn recently posted..Split Pea Soup
Nazneen says
Thank you John. The roasted tomatoes were better than I anticipated in this dish. The waffle was good but with the addition of the tomatoes and the Hollandaise…yum!
Hotly Spiced says
This looks so wonderful, Nazneen. I love bearnaise sauce and yes, it’s a great way to use up egg yolks. I have made a similar vegetarian breakfast dish with eggs and spinach. Happy Mother’s Day to you xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..In My Kitchen – May 2013
Nazneen says
Thanks Charlie! I hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day too.
Sarah @ SimplyScrumptiousBySarah says
These look amazing! I love that you added the British roasted tomatoes! I love those! 🙂
Sarah @ SimplyScrumptiousBySarah recently posted..Buttermilk Spelt Biscuits
Nazneen says
Thanks Sarah! The tomatoes were awesome in this!
The Squishy Monster says
How clever! I looove the idea of the vehicle being a waffle and the roasted tomatoes? YUM!!
The Squishy Monster recently posted..Loving Lately
Nazneen says
Thanks Angie! It turned out really well and the tomatoes were the best part!
glamorous glutton says
Another wonderful contribution to your Mother’s Day menu. As you know Mothers Day here is in March but I’m not really needing much of an excuse to make these. Great recipe and of corse the tomatoes are essential. GG xx
glamorous glutton recently posted..Hints And Recipes For The 50s Man Of The House
Nazneen says
Thanks GG, no excuse needed for this! It’s great any time.
gloria says
This look absolutely delicious!!
gloria recently posted..Apricot sorbet
Nazneen says
Thanks Gloria for stopping by and leaving a comment!
mariyam says
I can’t wait to make these! My favorite thing in the world is benedict. Thanks for posting!
Nazneen says
Thanks Mariyam and you’re welcome!
Francesca says
Hello Nazneen! These waffles are really something else. I’m pretty in love with all of your elements here. My favorite brunch in DC is eggs benedict, my English boyfriend is in love with roasted tomatoes with breakfast and any sort of sweet breakfast accoutrement has my mother’s name all over it. Thanks for bringing it all together + happy (early) mother’s day 😀
Nazneen says
Thanks Francesca! I am glad this works for all of you!! Hope your mom had a great day, I saw your picture on Facebook, you look just like her 🙂
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
Nazneen, my friend! What a wonderful series…I have enjoyed each one of the dishes that you’ve featured here for Mother’s Day. Well, I wish you a very happy Mother’s Day, my dear. Please, say hi to your family for me. xx
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Romeo and Juliet en Croute to Celebrate Mother’s Day…
Nazneen says
Thanks Denise! You too my friend, I hope you had a fabulous day!