mother's day Eggs Benny... made by me (by choice)

I know, I know... on Mother's Day I am supposed to luxuriate in bed, waiting for the pitter patter of little feet bringing me breakfast in bed. But on Saturday, our children's tball/soccer/baseball games were rained out and I found myself with a few minutes to peruse the newspaper, where I spotted a recipe for "Great Eggs Benny". (Shocking, I know, that I go straight to the recipe section of any paper...) In the article, the author extols the virtues of homemade English muffins. I skipped that part.

I'm sure hers are better.... but I was most excited about the perfectly poached eggs (which I taught myself-- and you-- to make last week), and homemade hollandaise (which I'd never made. Who knew it's so easy to whip up?... As long as you're not afraid of butter!). I woke up early on Mother's Day excited to whip up a decadent brunch for my family-- and my own mom, who is in town visiting. 

I will fully admit to assuming Eggs Benedict was some complicated dish, only ordered when out to brunch. But the recipe was surprisingly easy-- and quick. Here's the recipe I was working off of. But my copy is now covered in melted butter, so I am copying her hollandaise sauce here so I have it for ever and ever...

Hollandaise Sauce

Adapted from "James Beard's Menus for Entertaining"

Total Time: 10 minutes Makes: About 1 cup

4 egg yolks

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon salt

Dash of hot sauce

1 stick butter

1. Place yolks, lemon juice, salt and hot sauce in a blender or food processor. Pulse to combine.

2. In a small saucepan, melt butter, then remove pan from heat.

3. Turn on blender or food processor and drizzle melted butter into yolk mixture. Continue blending until mixture emulsifies and thickens slightly. Serve immediately or keep warm in a double boiler.

Oh, and I made a sautéed kale version for my mom who doesn't care for Canadian bacon. Also amazing. (The veg version, not the fact that my super health-conscious mom eschews processed meat, ha.)

After thoroughly enjoying our homemade brunch, we all headed out for a gorgeous hike, and worked off all that buttery goodness. 

It was a perfect Mother's Day.

Then we came home, got tarted up, and I let someone else make dinner! I went to sleep tuckered out and feeling thankful for my two sweet children, and my day "off".