A Luxurious Twist on a Classic Brunch Favorite
This Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict elevates the classic dish by replacing the usual English muffins with flaky, homemade buttermilk biscuits. The golden biscuits provide a rich, buttery base for the silky poached eggs, delicate smoked salmon, and creamy dill hollandaise sauce. Perfect for special brunches or a gourmet weekend breakfast, this dish offers a balance of textures and flavors that’s truly satisfying.
Serve with a light salad, roasted potatoes, or fresh fruit for a complete meal.
Ingredients
For the Buttermilk Biscuits
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 3/4 cup buttermilk, chilled
For the Poached Eggs & Smoked Salmon
- 4 large eggs
- 4 slices smoked salmon
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar (for poaching water)
For the Dill Hollandaise Sauce
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
- Salt and white pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Buttermilk Biscuits
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Cut in the Butter: Add the chilled, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Pro Tip: Keeping the butter cold ensures a flaky biscuit texture. If the butter softens, place the bowl in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Incorporate Buttermilk: Gradually add chilled buttermilk, stirring gently just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 3-4 times. Pat it into a ½-inch thick rectangle.
- Cut the Biscuits: Use a round biscuit cutter (or a glass) to cut out biscuits. Place them on the baking sheet, ensuring they are touching slightly for a better rise.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown.
- Cool Slightly: Transfer to a wire rack and let cool slightly while preparing the eggs and sauce.
Step 2: Make the Dill Hollandaise Sauce
- Set Up a Double Boiler: Place a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Ensure the bowl does not touch the water.
- Whisk the Yolks & Lemon Juice: In the bowl, whisk together egg yolks and lemon juice until the mixture thickens slightly.
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Slowly Add Butter: Drizzle in melted butter, whisking continuously, until the sauce is thick and creamy.
- Pro Tip: If the sauce is too thick, add 1 teaspoon of warm water to thin it out.
- Season & Add Dill: Stir in fresh dill, salt, and white pepper to taste.
- Keep Warm: Remove from heat and keep warm by covering the bowl with a towel.
Step 3: Poach the Eggs
- Heat the Water: Fill a saucepan with about 3 inches of water and bring it to a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil). Add 1 tablespoon white vinegar.
- Crack the Eggs: Crack each egg into a small bowl (this helps with an easier transfer).
- Create a Vortex: Stir the water gently in a circular motion to create a vortex, then carefully slide in the egg.
- Poach for 3 Minutes: Let the egg cook for about 3 minutes until the whites are set, but the yolk is still soft.
- Remove & Drain: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the egg to a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 4: Assemble the Eggs Benedict
- Slice the Biscuits: Carefully slice the warm biscuits in half.
- Layer the Smoked Salmon: Place one slice of smoked salmon on each biscuit half.
- Add the Poached Eggs: Gently place a poached egg on top of the smoked salmon.
- Drizzle with Hollandaise: Spoon the warm dill hollandaise sauce over each egg.
- Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle with extra fresh dill or a pinch of black pepper.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with roasted potatoes, a fresh green salad, or steamed asparagus for a complete brunch.
- Pair with a mimosa or fresh orange juice for a restaurant-style meal.
Recipe Notes & Tips
How to Make Flaky Biscuits
- Use cold ingredients: Cold butter and buttermilk create steam when baking, making the biscuits flaky.
- Don’t overwork the dough: Overmixing can result in tough biscuits. Handle the dough gently.
- Stack and fold the dough: For extra layers, fold the dough over itself 2-3 times before cutting the biscuits.
Perfect Poached Eggs Every Time
- Use fresh eggs: Fresh eggs hold their shape better in water.
- Add vinegar: This helps the egg whites set faster.
- Use the vortex method: Swirling the water before adding the egg helps it stay in a neat shape.
Fixing Hollandaise Sauce
- If it’s too thick: Add 1 teaspoon of warm water and whisk.
- If it starts to separate: Add a few drops of cold water and whisk vigorously.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: ~480 per serving
- Servings: 4
This Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict on Buttermilk Biscuits is an elegant and flavorful dish that brings restaurant-quality brunch to your kitchen. The buttery biscuits, silky poached eggs, savory smoked salmon, and creamy dill hollandaise create an unforgettable meal.