On April 16th, National Eggs Benedict Day celebrates a long favored breakfast or brunch dish. Eggs Benedict consists of poached eggs with Hollandaise sauce and Canadian bacon or ham on English muffin halves.

There are two different stories as to how Eggs Benedict came to be.

• In 1894 stockbroker Lemuel Benedict ordered “buttered toast, poached eggs, crisp bacon, and a side of Hollandaise”  at the Waldorf Hotel. They were so impressed with the dish that they put it on the menu substituting ham and English muffins in place of the bacon and toast.
• In the early 18th century, Pope Benedict XIII liked an egg dish so much that he requested it time and time again. It is also believed that Pope Benedict XIII had an illness which added to his desire for this particular egg dish, hence the name Eggs Benedict.

Some restaurants serve their own versions of Eggs Benedict. Mix it up by substituting the ham for salmon or corned beef. Add sliced tomatoes or steamed asparagus. Replace the English muffin with thick, crusty toast or thin, crisp bagels. There are so many ways to be creative in the kitchen. The important elements with Eggs Benedict are properly poached eggs and a perfect hollandaise sauce. When the yolk and sauce blend with all the other ingredients, this meal is divine. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalEggsBenedictDay

Treat yourself to a delicious breakfast of Eggs Benedict at home or your favorite breakfast restaurant. Learn how to poach the perfect egg. You can even poach eggs in the microwave. Then whip up a delicious hollandaise sauce, too. It’s one of Mother Sauces used in cooking. Find out more about the types of sauces used and how to make them. Try making the recipe below or share one of your own. 

Eggs Benedict

Don’t forget National Egg Month, Better Breakfast Month, and National Egg Day.

Use #NationalEggsBenedictDay to post on social media.