Culinary Corner: Cunard’s Egg Royale

There’s something special about breakfasts on holiday. They’re the polar opposite of breakfasts at home, aren’t they? Hurried cereal and lukewarm coffee to go replaced with multi-course feasts on the balcony. Eggs Royale is a breakfast classic combining a pillow-soft English muffin, creamy hollandaise sauce, runny poached eggs and salty smoked salmon – the thought alone makes us want an early night to make tomorrow morning come quicker. Treat yourself this Sunday with a taste of Cunard mornings, courtesy of Gareth Bowen, Head of Culinary Development.

Ingredients

Serves 2 double portions or 4 single portions

• 4 free range eggs, room temperature
• 25ml white wine vinegar
• 4 English muffins, toasted
• 6 slices of smoked salmon (you can also use bacon, ham or spinach)
• Chopped chives

For the Hollandaise

• 225g butter, melted
• 4 tbsp white wine vinegar (reduction)
• 1 shallot, very finely chopped (reduction)
• 10 black peppercorns (reduction)
• 1 bay leaf (reduction)
• 3 free-range egg yolks
• Pinch sea salt

Method

1. For the hollandaise sauce, melt the butter slowly in a medium pan over a low heat, stirring occasionally. Pour into a jug.
2. Put the vinegar in a small saucepan over a high heat and bring to the boil. Cook for 1 minute, or until reduced to by half. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool and keep in the fridge until required.
3. Put the egg yolks in a heatproof bowl and place over a pan of simmering water. Do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water. Whisk the egg yolks with the salt until pale. Pour the vinegar reduction that you made in step 2 through a fine sieve over the yolks and continue whisking until well combined. Slowly add the butter in a steady stream, whisking constantly, until the sauce is smooth, thick and shiny. Keep warm until ready to serve.
4. Fill a large pan just over one third full with boiling water and the vinegar. Bring the water to a simmer. One by one, crack the eggs into a small bowl and gently tip into the simmering water. Poach for 2–3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon.
5. Toast the muffin halves and spread with butter. Put a muffin half on each plate and top with the smoked salmon (you can also use bacon, ham or spinach). Place an egg on top of each muffin and spoon over some hollandaise. Sprinkle with chives and serve.