What do you think of when you imagine the perfect weekend brunch?  Pancakes? Omelettes?  Oatmeal?  Or Eggs Benedict?

For me, it’s the eggs bene.  I’m a glutton for poached eggs and there’s something about the hollandaise running together with egg yolks over an english muffin or crusty bread that makes life seem so decadent and divine that I can’t help but to simultaneously drool and smile while writing this.

First you’ll need to learn how to poach an egg, but if you can’t poach an egg, I have used a sunny side up or fried egg in it’s stead.  (See “How To Poach An Egg”)

Secondly, you need to find the most awesome crusty bread you can find.  My favorite healthy one is Whole Foods’ Seeduction Bread but I can’t always find it so I also love their Sourdough Boules.

Top your bread with sautéed spinach or kale.  I like to make sure mine has sale and pepper on it.  In addition, I love adding diced avocado to my greens.  See: creamy decadence.

Place your egg on top of your greens an now add your hollandaise.  WAIT – hollandaise is not healthy and it’s pretty complicated to make.  So here’s my guilt-free version:

Healthy Hollandaise Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Plain Yogurt (probably not Greek, it’s too sour for this recipe)
• 3 Egg Yolks
• 1 Tsp. Lemon Juice
• 2 Tsp. Dijon Mustard
• Garlic Powder to taste
• Salt & Pepper

OR, you can go dairy-free with this flavorful alternative…

Dairy-Free “Hollandaise”

This is the option shown above in the super-healthy “benedict” I used to make for my dairy-sensitive husband.

• 1 Cup Garlic Hummus
• 2 Tsp. Dijon Mustard
• 1 Tsp. Lemon Juice
• Pinch of Cumin, Paprika, Sugar, Salt and Pepper

These alternative hollandaise sauces are awesome over asparagus, chicken, eggs, or my personal favorite, with Belgian Endive for a crunchy, healthy, satiating treat.

Can you believe the French don’t snack?  I think about how amazing Belgian Endive is for a snack and just shake my head every time.  Mon Dieu…

Anyway, go indulge on mimosas, not hollandaise.

But if you are indulging on mimosas – go for the light pour on the Orange Juice.  You know most restaurants aren’t using fresh-squeezed OJ and champagne is already high in residual sugar, you don’t need to add high fructose corn syrup to the already hangover-threatening mix!

Bon apetit,