America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Asparagus and Smoked Salmon Benedicts

By Jessica Rudolph

Published on February 22, 2022

Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Asparagus and Smoked Salmon Benedicts

Ingredients

8 ounces thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 4-inch lengths1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, plus 16 tablespoons unsalted butterPinch plus 1⁄4 teaspoon table salt, divided, plus salt for cooking eggs4 English muffins, split and toasted8 ounces sliced smoked salmon 8 large eggs plus 3 large yolks, divided2 tablespoons lemon juice Pinch cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

Before You Begin

Serve sprinkled with chopped fresh chives.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Toss asparagus, melted butter, and pinch salt together on rimmed baking sheet. Broil until asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes. Arrange muffins split side up on platter. Divide asparagus and salmon evenly among muffin halves.
  2. Cook 16 tablespoons butter in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl and refrigerate until butter registers 190 degrees, 3 to 5 minutes. Process egg yolks, lemon juice, cayenne, and ¼ teaspoon salt in blender until frothy, about 10 seconds. With blender running, slowly drizzle in hot butter until fully emulsified, about 2 minutes. Adjust consistency with hot water as needed and season with salt to taste. Cover to keep warm.
  3. Fill now-empty skillet nearly to rim with water. Add vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to boil over high heat. Crack remaining 8 eggs into liquid measuring cup. Gently tip eggs into water, one at a time, leaving space between them. Off heat, cover skillet and poach eggs until whites are set but yolks are slightly runny, about 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove eggs from skillet and arrange on prepared muffin halves. Spoon hollandaise over each egg. Serve.
Asparagus and Smoked Salmon Benedicts
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Elle Simone.

Asparagus and Smoked Salmon Benedicts

Save

Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

8 ounces thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 4-inch lengths
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, plus 16 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pinch plus 1⁄4 teaspoon table salt, divided, plus salt for cooking eggs
4 English muffins, split and toasted
8 ounces sliced smoked salmon
8 large eggs plus 3 large yolks, divided
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Pinch cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

Ingredients

8 ounces thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 4-inch lengths
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, plus 16 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pinch plus 1⁄4 teaspoon table salt, divided, plus salt for cooking eggs
4 English muffins, split and toasted
8 ounces sliced smoked salmon
8 large eggs plus 3 large yolks, divided
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Pinch cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

Ingredients

8 ounces thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 4-inch lengths
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, plus 16 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pinch plus 1⁄4 teaspoon table salt, divided, plus salt for cooking eggs
4 English muffins, split and toasted
8 ounces sliced smoked salmon
8 large eggs plus 3 large yolks, divided
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Pinch cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

Why This Recipe Works

Using nutty browned butter made this hollandaise sauce over-the-top delicious.

Before You Begin

Serve sprinkled with chopped fresh chives.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Toss asparagus, melted butter, and pinch salt together on rimmed baking sheet. Broil until asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes. Arrange muffins split side up on platter. Divide asparagus and salmon evenly among muffin halves.
  2. Cook 16 tablespoons butter in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl and refrigerate until butter registers 190 degrees, 3 to 5 minutes. Process egg yolks, lemon juice, cayenne, and ¼ teaspoon salt in blender until frothy, about 10 seconds. With blender running, slowly drizzle in hot butter until fully emulsified, about 2 minutes. Adjust consistency with hot water as needed and season with salt to taste. Cover to keep warm.
  3. Fill now-empty skillet nearly to rim with water. Add vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to boil over high heat. Crack remaining 8 eggs into liquid measuring cup. Gently tip eggs into water, one at a time, leaving space between them. Off heat, cover skillet and poach eggs until whites are set but yolks are slightly runny, about 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove eggs from skillet and arrange on prepared muffin halves. Spoon hollandaise over each egg. Serve.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.