Minimalist Eggs Benedict

Name: Minimalist Eggs Benedict
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: French, American, British
Ingredients: 2 tsp Butter; 1 pinch Cayenne Pepper; 2 whole Eggs; 1 whole English Muffin; 1 tsp Fresh Chives; 1 tbsp Lemon Juice; 1 pinch Salt; 4 oz Sliced Deli Ham; 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter; 1 tbsp Water

Breakfast 🍳Lunch 🥪 French 🇫🇷American British High-Protein 💪Low-Carb Comfort-Food

Minimalist Eggs Benedict layers jammy baked eggs nestled in savory ham over a toasted, buttery English muffin, then tops it with a bright, lemon-forward butter sauce. The light, velvety drizzle balances richness with a hint of heat from cayenne, making each bite elegant yet unfussy. Serve for a relaxed weekend brunch or a special breakfast that feels refined without the fuss.

Prep10 mins
Cook25 mins
Serves2
DifficultyMedium

1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 2 (5 ounce) ramekins, or 2 wells of a standard muffin tin, with melted butter.
2

Line each ramekin with two slices of ham, making sure the edges are even around the top.
3

Crack 1 egg into a small bowl; gently pour it into a ham-lined ramekin; repeat with the second egg. Season each egg with salt and cayenne to taste.
4

Bake in the preheated oven until the whites are just barely set and the yolks are still soft and slightly runny, 20 to 25 minutes. The eggs will keep cooking and set more firmly after they are removed from the oven if left in the hot ramekins.
5

When the eggs have 10 minutes of cook time remaining, make the lemon butter sauce. Add lemon juice, water, and salt to a small pan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and simmer until the liquid has reduced by about half, 1 to 2 minutes.
6

Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and add the butter slices. Swirl and shake the pan until the butter is almost fully emulsified, then turn off the heat. Continue swirling the pan until the butter is completely melted. Taste, and add cayenne or hot sauce if using. Keep the pan in a warm spot until needed. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
7

Toast and butter the English muffins, transfer the baked ham and eggs onto the muffin halves, and spoon the warm sauce over the top. Sprinkle with chives and serve immediately.