Breakfast

Home Fries

If you need to double this recipe, instead of crowding the skillet, cook two batches of home fries separately. While you make the second batch, the first can be kept hot and crisp by spreading them on a cookie sheet and placing them in a 300-degree oven. The paprika adds a warm, deep color, but can be omitted. An alternative is to toss in 1 tablespoon minced parsley just before serving the potatoes.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 tablespoons corn oil or peanut oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped small
• 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes (2 medium) or all-purpose potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (see below)
• 1 1/4 teaspoons table salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Directions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer onion to small bowl and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, place diced potatoes in large saucepan, cover with 1/2 inch water, add 1 teaspoon salt, and place over high heat. As soon as water begins to boil, about 6 minutes, drain potatoes thoroughly in colander.
3. Heat butter and remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams. Add potatoes and shake skillet to evenly distribute potatoes in single layer; make sure that one side of each piece is touching surface of skillet. Cook without stirring until potatoes are golden brown on bottom, about 4 to 5 minutes, then carefully turn potatoes with wooden spatula. Spread potatoes in single layer in skillet again and repeat process until potatoes are tender and browned on most sides, turning three to four times, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Add onions, paprika, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; stir to blend and serve immediately.

Hollandaise

Ingredients

• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Whisk butter and egg yolks together in large heat-resistant bowl set over medium saucepan with 1/2 inch of barely simmering water (don't let bowl touch water) until mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
2. Slowly add 1/2 cup boiling water and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and sauce registers 160 to 165 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 7 to 10 minutes. Off heat, stir in lemon juice and cayenne. Season with salt to taste. Remove saucepan from heat (keep bowl over water bath) and season with salt to taste. Cover to keep warm.

Poached Eggs

For the best results, be sure to use the freshest eggs possible. Cracking the eggs into a colander will rid them of any watery, loose whites and result in perfectly shaped poached eggs. This recipe can be used to cook from one to four eggs. To make two batches of eggs to serve all at once, transfer four cooked eggs directly to a large pot of 150-degree water and cover them. This will keep them warm for 15 minutes or so while you return the poaching water to a boil and cook the next batch. We like to serve these eggs on buttered toast or toasted and buttered English muffins or on salads made with assertively flavored greens.

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Bring 6 cups water to boil in Dutch oven over high heat. Meanwhile, crack eggs, one at a time, into colander. Let stand until loose, watery whites drain away from eggs, 20 to 30 seconds. Gently transfer eggs to 2-cup liquid measuring cup.
2. Add vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt to boiling water. Remove pot from heat. With lip of measuring cup just above surface of water, gently tip eggs into water, one at a time, leaving space between them. Cover pot and let stand until whites closest to yolks are just set and opaque, about 3 minutes. If after 3 minutes whites are not set, let stand in water, checking every 30 seconds, until eggs reach desired doneness. (For medium-cooked yolks, let eggs sit in pot, covered, for 4 minutes, then begin checking for doneness.)
3. Using slotted spoon, carefully lift and drain each egg over Dutch oven. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

Soft Cooked Eggs

Makes 8 eggs - timing works for up to 8 eggs, but changes if adding more than 8. I pull one out at 6 minutes to rest under the cup while the other egg finishes.

Ingredients

• 12 cups water

Directions

1. Bring water to a boil, then using a spider add eggs.
2. Cook 7 minutes for perfect dipping eggs.