Mon, 13 December 2021
Donal Skehan's Christmas Brunch Waffles
For the waffles:
- 125g butter, melted
- 75g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 3 free-range eggs
- 400ml whole milk
- 200g leftover ham, shredded
- 100g Cheddar, grated
- 2 thyme sprigs, leaves removed
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the poached eggs:
- 4 free-range eggs
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar
For the wilted spinach:
- 75g unsalted butter
- 4 handfuls of fresh spinach
For the hollandaise:
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1tsp white wine vinegar
- 150g butter, melted and hot
- Lemon juice to taste
Method:
1. Preheat a waffle maker to the medium setting.
2. To make the waffles whisk together the butter, flour, baking powder, eggs and milk until smooth. Stir through the remaining ingredients, mix to combine, holding back 50g ham to serve and season.
3. Pour a little of the mixture into the waffle maker and cook for 6–8 minutes. If the waffle machine makes less than four at a time, repeat with the remaining batter and keep the cooked waffles warm as you do so.
4. To make the hollandaise sauce, whiz the egg yolks with the vinegar and some seasoning in a blender. Gradually and slowly, pour in the hot melted butter, with the blender running, until you have a thick smooth sauce. This part is not to be rushed. Season with lemon juice to taste along with salt and pepper.
5. To cook the spinach, heat the butter in a saucepan, add the spinach and cook until wilted. Season to taste.
6. To make the poached eggs, bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Add the salt and vinegar and stir to dissolve the salt. Crack an egg into a cup and slowly lower the edge of the cup into the pot and drop in the egg. Cook the egg at a very gentle simmer for 3–4 minutes for the yolk to still be runny. Remove the egg with a slotted spoon and place it on a plate lined with kitchen paper. Repeat with the remaining eggs.
7. To serve, place a waffle on each plate with some wilted spinach on top. Top each with a poached egg, the remaining shredded ham and pour over hollandaise sauce. Don’t forget lots of freshly ground black pepper to finish.
