Turn Leftover Holiday Ham Into The Next Morning's Eggs Benedict

How to make your own holiday ham eggs benedict

Creating your own eggs benedict using leftover holiday ham is a fun way to experiment with some straightforward cooking techniques you might not have explored before. For example, it allows you to change up your usual egg cooking style by trying poached eggs instead. Simply drop the eggs gently into a large pot of simmering water, then carefully lift them out with a spoon.

To prepare hollandaise sauce, start by melting some butter and whisking together egg yolks and citrus juice. Next, incorporate water or heavy cream along with any seasonings you prefer (like salt and pepper, or a dash of cayenne for some spice). Temper the egg yolk mixture by gradually whisking in some of the hot melted butter, then complete the sauce by heating everything in a saucepan with the remaining butter. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler to make the sauce, as the gentle heat will help prevent the eggs from scrambling.

Once your eggs and sauce are ready, toast your English muffins and warm up the sliced leftover holiday ham. If you like, enhance the ham's flavor with some leftover glaze or orange marmalade. Layer the ham on the muffin, followed by a perfectly poached egg and a generous drizzle of hollandaise. Finally, sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh, herbaceous touch. The result is a memorable breakfast and perhaps the best way to utilize your holiday leftovers.