Lighter Eggs Benedict With "Hollandaise" Sauce Recipe, Perfect for Mother's Day

Eggs benedict, with its fabulously tangy hollandaise sauce, is classic brunch fare -- especially when celebrating special occasions, like Mother's Day. (Duh.) But did you know that the heavy restaurant version, where the sauce is full of butter and egg yolks, can typically be loaded with anywhere between 30 and 60 grams of fat? And while it may taste delicious, no one really needs two sticks of butter for brunch, even if it's your holiday. But let your waistlines fear not: I found a lightened-up version from the Kitchn blog that tastes just as good as the original, but has health subs a whole-grain English muffin, turkey bacon, added veggies and lighter hollandaise sauce. #NomNom!

INGREDIENTS:

For the Base:

8 slices smoked turkey bacon4 whole wheat English muffins, split in half2 tablespoons butter, softened (optional)2 teaspoons white vinegar8 large eggs

For the "Hollandaise":

1/2 cup light mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste2 tablespoons unsalted butterKosher salt and cayenne pepper, to taste

For Assembly:

2 cups spinach leaves8 thick tomato slices, thoroughly driedKosher salt and pepper, for garnishPaprika, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange the bacon strips in a single layer. Cook on the middle rack for approximately 20-25 minutes, until the slices reach your desired crispness. (For Eggs Benedict, I like it a little less crispy than usual, so 20 minutes usually works for me.) Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and discard foil.

Arrange the English muffin halves on a separate baking sheet. Cook until toasted and lightly golden, about 8-10 minutes. Spread with softened butter, if desired. Lower oven temp to 170° (or warming temperature). Hold English muffins and bacon until eggs are poached and ready to assemble.

While the bacon is cooking, fill a medium to large saucepan with 1-1/2 to 2 inches of water and 2 teaspoons white vinegar. Bring water to a boil and then reduce heat to medium-low; water should maintain a few small occasional bubbles. Crack each egg into a small dish (I use a small sake glass), partially submerge the dish in the pan, and tip the egg into water. Cook until the whites are set and opaque, but yolks are still runny, about 2 minutes. Remove each egg with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Trim any excess whites, if desired.

To make the mock hollandaise, whisk the mayonnaise, Dijon, and lemon juice. Melt the butter and stir in quickly. Season with a pinch of kosher salt and a generous amount of cayenne pepper.

To assemble the Eggs Benedict, top each muffin half with a handful of spinach, followed by a tomato slice, a piece of bacon split in half, and a poached egg. Drizzle with hollandaise sauce. Sprinkle with additional salt, pepper, and paprika. Serve immediately. (Serves 4-6)

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Image Credit: Courtesy of the Kitchn

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Try This Yoga Pose NOW to Feel Stronger, Lighter and Pain-Free

If you're like me and spend most of your day sitting in front of a computer (read: slumped in front of a computer) then you're not alone. Not to mention, most of us walk, talk, eat and do basically anything while looking down at our phones. And most of us know of the negative impacts that sitting and slouching has on our bodies, which usually manifests itself in the form of back pain, stiff muscles, fatigue, and more. Need a quick fix? Enter Cobra Pose, a simple yoga position that works to counteract all of that sitting and slouching that creeps up on you during the day. "It's a good countermovement for most of us who sit in a forward bend position at a desk all day. It reverses our general 'spinal habit' of being in a forward bend while we sit, stand, drive, etc.", says Heather Lilleston, NYC-based yoga teacher and Program Director at Yoga Vida. Do the move daily to reap some serious benefits -- check 'em out below.

Stretch and Strengthen: Cobra Pose stretches the neck, chest and abs while at the same time strengthening the back, shoulders, and spine, improving the flexibility of the upper and middle back and helping to realign the spine. "The spinal region is toned and it is a good pose to bring the spine back into place" says Lilleston, citing Light on Yoga by B.K.S Iyengar, the founder of Iyengar Yoga.Alleviate Back Pain: Cobra Pose is a backbending pose and although it may sound counter intuitive, backbending can actually help to alleviate back pain. By engaging the spinal muscles, the very areas of the back that have been weakened by chronic forward bending are strengthened and become more flexible, easing stiffness that causes pain. Fight Fatigue: Cobra Pose can be invigorating and revitalizing, too. It improves blood circulation and opens the chest to promote better respiration (hello more oxygen), helping to fight fatigue. Additionally, "when the more advanced variations of this posture are practiced, the thyroids, parathyroids, and adrenals receive a copious supply of blood, resulting in increased vitality," says Lilleston. Opens the Heart: Cobra Pose expands the chest which literally and figuratively opens the heart area. "Backbends are traditionally discussed as heart-openers," says Lilleston, "They have to do with moving into your future." Opening the heart area can provide a deep emotional release, helping you to feel lighter and more open, positively affecting your mood.

Try Cobra Pose during your post-workout stretch, before bed, or even on the floor while watching TV if you've been sitting for too long. Remember to breathe deeply and smile - you're doing something good for yourself!

Note: Cobra pose should be avoided by those with back, rib, or spinal injuries and those who are pregnant or have undergone recent abdominal surgeries.

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Image Credit: Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

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