The Benedict
A one-inch toasted muffin round with poached quail egg, ham & a hollandaise veil
Born of a 1894 hangover order by broker Lemuel Benedict, refined by Oscar
Why this bite? Eggs Benedict was born at the Waldorf from a hungover broker's order — refined by Oscar into a classic. Brunch history in one bite.
The Story
Legend says Wall Street broker Lemuel Benedict shuffled into the Waldorf in 1894 nursing a hangover and ordered buttered toast, poached eggs, bacon, and hollandaise. Oscar tasted it, swapped in an English muffin and ham, and put it on the menu forever. This miniature keeps the ritual intact: a toasted round, a poached quail egg, ham, and a veil of warm hollandaise — brunch's most famous accident, shrunk to a single bite.
Ingredients
- English muffins
- Quail eggs
- Shaved ham
- Egg yolks
- Butter
- Lemon
- Cayenne
- Chives
Preparation
- 1.Cut and toast one-inch muffin rounds; top with shaved ham.
- 2.Poach quail eggs softly and set atop the ham.
- 3.Whisk a quick hollandaise of yolk, melted butter, and lemon.
- 4.Veil each with hollandaise, dust with cayenne and chives.
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