Eggs Benedict is two halves of an English muffin sandwich topped perfectly with poached eggs. Moreover, spinach, bacon or ham are additional constituents. Sometimes salmon is used for an upscale taste. However, Hollandaise sauce is the signature dressing of the dish.
Most of us enjoy this amazing dish either as a breakfast or brunch. Also, we may tend to think that Eggs Benedict was named after an authentic person. Nevertheless, there are lots of confusion and stories surrounding the origin and subsequent naming of the dish. Below we present some of these theories.
Eggs Benedict and The American Banker Theory
One of the many stories is that an American banker and yachtsman in New York named Commodore E.C. Benedict claims the name. This man’s descendants have presented that he’s the true originator of the dish. He claims that his mom has given him this special recipe of delicate eggs and sauce.
Eggs Benedict, A Hangover Cure?
Another story is that Lemuel Benedict, a retired Wall Street stock broker requested this combination of ingredients in 1894 as a hangover cure.
Eggs Benedict Combating Routine…
To add to the ambiguity, the New York restaurant Delmonico’s claims that they first created the dish in 1860. Additionally, they state that a regular customer, actually a financier named LeGrand Benedict complained to the maître d’hôtel. He said that there was nothing new on the menu. Accordingly, the Chef Charles Ranhofer responded to the complaint by creating this dish.
The French Naming for Eggs Benedict
Also, it is possible that the dish is a modern version of an old French dish. However, the name Benedict doesn’t derive from a person, but from the word Benedictine (a monk or a nun).
Conclusion and Words of Wisdom
Like any other dish, every chef has his own variation of this special dish. Nonetheless, the vegetarian option is where cooked spinach replaces the ham, namely Florentine Benedict. As for some imperial version, smoked salmon replaces the ham.
These are a few of the many stories around Eggs Benedict. However and most importantly, all we can say is that it’s a must try for egg lovers. A pure indulging dish for the senses.
