Quick and Easy Eggs Benedict- Breakfast Hot Brown
Are you an eggs Benedict fan? Have I got a faster and easy eggs Benedict version for you. A delicious version that has been a family and classroom favorite for years. Follow along for my version which we call… “Breakfast KY Hot Brown” or “Creamed Eggs on Toast”…that may just be on your comfort food list like mine.
I am not sure when I began to prepare this…but, it comes out randomly for a great breakfast or even dinner time favorite when comfort food is needed.
Comfort food in the form of an Easy Eggs Benedict version.
Who knew? Right?
When I taught my freshmen foods in the Life Skills course, I was keenly aware of building skill level and options for all meals of the day.
This version ticked all of the boxes.
- Toast – there’s was in a toaster -check!
- Eggs – how to boil – check!
- White sauce- with cheese – check!
- Warming the choice of meat – microwave use – check!
- Breakfast done! check, check, check!
Now, truly most of my freshmen had never HEARD of or EATEN Eggs Benedict.
If I had called it that or even “Creamed Eggs on Toast”…none would have touched it.
But, this southern girl knew if I named it, “Breakfast Hot Brown”?
I would hit a home run!
You see, this girl is from Kentucky…home of the Kentucky Hot Brown…which is similar to the breakfast version WITHOUT the egg and broiled before serving.
See what I mean?
This is SOOOOO EASY! My freshmen guys and gals always did a great job preparing AND eating this one.
Winner! Winner! Chicken dinner! So, it stayed in my lesson plans for years.
Now, with this recipe…that lab began with
- Using the toaster for toast
- Boiling eggs
- Making a basic white sauce, cheese added
- Operating the microwave, cooking the bacon and warming ham or turkey.
Basic skills with this recipe was a win for everyone. Those freshmen learned to use a toaster, warm the turkey/ham in the microwave, prepare eggs and make a white/cheese sauce.
Toast the bread.
Top with warmed ham and/or turkey.
Prepare your eggs- boiled/sliced, poached, fried or scrambled. Your choice!
Add egg. Make your white sauce.
Then add cheese to the white sauce.
Top the hot brown with the cheese sauce.
Tomato and/or bacon is added to the top!
Fast, Easy Breakfast Hot Brown was born…the Eggs Benedict’s southern cousin!
I still have students asking for this recipe…on messenger…when I meet them in a store…on Facebook…or Instagram…yep!
So, here it is here on the blog today in all of its glory!
Much easier for me to share and them to find….
Breakfast Hot Brown
Equipment
- 1 toaster
- Stove
- microwave to warm ham/turkey; cook bacon
- 2 skillets nonstick -for white sauce and eggs if frying or scrambling.
- 1 saucepan with lid if boiling or poaching eggs
- 1 Whisk
- Measuring cups- dry/liquid/spoons
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 4 slices bread Gluten free version if need to make GF
- 2 C milk
- 4 T butter
- 4 T flour, all purpose Bob's Red Mill One to One flour for Gluten Free
- 1/4 C grated cheese- cheddar or your favorite
- 4 slices ham or turkey
- 4 slices bacon, cooked
- tomato slices, optional
Instructions
- The first step in this recipe is to cook the eggs. -For hard boiled eggs, cover eggs with cold water and bring to a boil, turn off heat and cover for 20 minutes; immerse in cold water, peel and slice.-For fried eggs, place in a small amount of butter in nonstick skillet and cook to desired doneness…over easy for runny consistency or hard cooked, if you prefer more doneness. Scrambled eggs are another option.***A true Eggs Benedict poached egg is usually runny…not my favorite, but suit your own preferences. I have found frying is easier and saves time.
- Toast slices of bread in a toaster OR in a skillet with a tiny bit of butter, turning to toast on both sides.
- Make cheese sauce by adding in butter to a large nonstick skillet to melt.Add in flour and stir until "cooked".Pour in cold milk all at once and continue to whisk until desired thickness. Salt and pepper to taste.Finally, add in cheese to taste and stir to melt.***A true Eggs Benedict is served with a Hollandaise sauce…this is your preference again. The cheese sauce is just quick, easy and delicious.
- Warm the turkey or ham in the microwave.**A traditional Kentucky hot brown has bacon, so cook a slice of bacon for each serving in the microwave.
- Layer the Breakfast Hot Brown version of the Eggs Benedict:-toast, ham or turkey, egg, 1/2 C cheese sauce and top with sliced tomatoes and bacon. TIP: My original recipe was with 1 C sauce per serving. 1/2 C /serving is plenty.
- If you desire, you can place the hot brown in a dish safe for broiling and broil for a few seconds in the oven. I skip this, but this does make it more like a true Kentucky Hot Brown.
Notes
With ingredients staring at me from the fridge today, I hit a home run with this one for brunch.
Whether topped with bacon, tomatoes or both, it’s right up there with other breakfast food favorites like:
Just a few tips for that Breakfast Hot Brown- Easy Eggs Benedict version:
- Allow 1/2 C sauce, 1 egg, 1 slice of toast and ham/turkey for each serving. That’s the easy way to remember how to adjust for your crowd. If there are only two of you–half the recipe provided.
- You can top the dish with sliced tomatoes and/or bacon slices.
- Our favorite is just to dish up and serve. A true “Kentucky Hot Brown” is placed under a broiler for a few minutes to soften the tomato and make the entire dish bubbly. Feel free to do that if you prefer.
- This is a perfect breakfast or brunch recipe, but, we have often had it on cold evenings when comfort food is desired.
- To make this recipe gluten free, swap out the all purpose flour with Bob’s Red Mill One to One gluten free flour. Gluten free bread should also be swapped for the toast.
This Easy Eggs Benedict—Breakfast Hot Brown recipe is one of our family’s most favorites. Guessing from the number of responses from my students and their parents, it’s safe to say the legacy has been shared and passed on to others.
Hope you’ll give it a try! And then, will you let me know how you liked it? I always love to hear from you in the comments.
10 Comments
Lynn
I printed this recipe out! I love eggs benedict but it’s a lot of work. This looks like it would take half the time and be so yummy!
Leslie J Watkins
It is a wonderful favorite. If you want more of an “Eggs Benedict”, swap out the toast for an English muffin. Hope you love it!
Vickie Ramey
Love it! Except for calories of the cheese sauce. But a splurge once every now and then won’t hurt, right?
Leslie J Watkins
Hey! that sauce is in my WW app with 2 T allowed! ha!
Renae
This sounds amazing! I’m definitely trying this. Be sure to link it up to the fabulous Friday Link Party. Everyone will love this recipe. Hugs to you.
Leslie J Watkins
I’d be glad to share it on your link party. Happy Thursday!
Tammy
My guys will absolutely love this recipe. I will have to make it for them one weekend. Keep these great recipes coming!
Cindy
Another great recipe. I’m trying this for a relaxing Sunday morning breakfast.
Pinned
Leslie J Watkins
I think your family will love it. It’s truly a favorite of ours! Enjoy!
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