Fried, scrambled, poached, boiled, baked and pickled– the ways of serving eggs are endless! They are also an essential ingredient to many recipes, particularly in the baking industry. In fact in the UK alone, over 12.5 billion eggs are consumed in a year, which equates to an average of 35 million every day!
Their versatility makes them a popular choice for any meal of the day. One of the most popular dishes made using eggs is eggs benedict.
There are several compelling stories when it comes to the story of eggs benedict. Whilst some claim the dish was created as a hangover cure for a Wall Street stock broker, and others believe it was invented by Edward P. Montgomery on behalf of Commodore E. C. Benedict, the story with the most evidence comes from the Delmonico restaurant in New York, where Mrs. Benedict requested the dish from Chef Charles Ranhofer, who created the recipe, and later published it in a cookbook. But no matter what the true story is, we can all agree it is a scrumptious dish!
With National Eggs Benedict Day just around the corner (Tuesday 16th April), here’s some variations you can add to your menu to mark the occasion:
- Classic eggs benedict
- Smoked salmon eggs benedict
- Lobster eggs benedict
- Middle Eastern Inspired eggs benedict
- Eggs benedict doffles
- Burgerdict
Omelettes are another traditional breakfast dish in the UK made using eggs and various fillings. For a richer, more indulgent variation, the Arnold Bennett omelette is the way to go. It was created for the writer, who believe it or not was called Arnold Bennett. Containing haddock, Hollandaise Sauce, Béchamel with Butter Sauce and prawns, the dish is ideal for Sunday brunch or even a hearty evening meal.
We are also beginning to see egg dishes inspired from around the world hitting our menus. Shakshuka is a popular Middle Eastern and North African dish which consists of baked eggs, chunky tomatoes and spices. Typically, this is served as breakfast, however it works just as well for lunch, dinner or a side dish.
Deviled eggs (also known as stuffed eggs) are hard boiled eggs which have been peeled, cut in half, and stuffed with a mixture of yolks, spices and other condiments. They were originally created in Italy and served as cold starters during feasts, however now they are a popular party food/appetizer in places like North America and Australia. By adding the seasoned eggs to toast topped with Plant-based Taco Sauce, you can create a delicious brunch.
Tostadas, which quite literally means toasted tortillas, are a popular Mexican dish, similar to crunchy open tacos. They traditionally have a base of refried beans, but toppings vary, from meat, vegetables, cheese, fish, and salsa. Looking for something a little different? Then try these eleven o’clock tostadas, which have Plant-based Taco Sauce as a base, an egg as the main topping, and harissa sauce for a spicy finish.
Sometimes it can be as simple as adding a fried egg on to the top of dishes to transform them. Croque Madame, a classic French dish, is the ultimate sandwich, topped with Béchamel with Butter Sauce and a fried egg.
And whilst Italians and other passionate pizza lovers may not agree with it, fried eggs on a pizza make for a great dish. The demand for pizza is continuing to soar, and by adding eggs on top to create all-day breakfast pizzas, you can expand into different day parts, ensuring pizza isn’t just limited to your last meal of the day. In a recent report from Arla, 16% of consumers said they would opt for a breakfast pizza over a traditional pizza style.
For more egg-cellent ideas click here.