Meatless Friday: Poached Eggs with Salmon and Spinach

Our friends at Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon, New Jersey, share recipes created in their Culinary Arts program on their blog, Our Daily Bread. This recipe is printed here with permission from MHCA Culinary Arts teacher Frank LaMendola. This meatless twist on Eggs Benedict is delicious for any meal of the day, and would be an excellent choice for Mother's Day Brunch, too!

Poached Eggs with Salmon and Spinach

• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 4 of the freshest eggs
• Spinach
• Unsalted Butter (for sautéing and toast )
• 2 muffins, split
• 4 long slices good-quality smoked salmon

• 2 egg yolks
• 8 tbsp of  butter melted
• juice ½ lemon
• pinch of cayenne pepper

1. To make the Hollandaise, sit a large bowl over a pan of hot water and whisk the egg yolks with 2 tbsp hot water. Gradually add the melted butter (without adding the milky liquid at the bottom) until it has all been incorporated. Whisk in the lemon juice and season with the cayenne pepper and salt to taste, then set aside.
2. Heat a shallow pan of water with the vinegar but no salt until gently boiling, then poach the eggs for 2 mins. Remove with a slotted spoon and cool in cold water.
3. Fry the spinach in a wok with a knob of butter until wilted, then drain and season.
4. To serve, heat the grill to high. Lay the muffins on a flat roasting tray, cut-side up, then toast until brown. Butter the muffins lightly, then top each with a ruffle of smoked salmon. Divide the spinach between the muffins, leaving a slight dip in the middle to sit the eggs in. Spoon a quarter of the sauce over each egg, then return the tray under the grill to brown for a min. Serve immediately.

What's cooking? Find all our Meatless Friday featured recipes here.