Best Virginia Ham And Melon Apple Chutney On Corn Bread Rounds Recipes

EGGS BENEDICT WITH VIRGINIA HAM AND CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F.
• Lightly oil an 8-inch square baking pan.
• Dust the bottom and sides with flour, tapping out the excess.
• FOR CORNBREAD: In a bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt.
• Using a pastry blender or 2 forks, cut in the shortening until crumbly.
• Add the corn kernels, buttermilk and eggs and stir with a whisk until smooth.
• Transfer to the prepared pan.
• Bake until the top is a golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, let cool briefly, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Using a round cutter 3 1/2 inches in diameter, cut out 4 rounds.
• Slice each round in half horizontally.
• Set aside.
• Leave the oven set at 350 degrees F.
• FOR HOLLANDAISE SAUCE: In a stainless-steel bowl, combine the egg yolks, lemon juice, shallot, vinegar and salt.
• Place over (not touching) simmering water in a pan and whisk together continuously until the mixture is a pale lemon yellow and falls in thick ribbons when the whisk is lifted, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the water and cayenne.
• Then, while whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the clarified butter until all of it has been used and a thick emulsion has formed.
• Cover and keep warm.
• FOR EGGS: Pour water into a large frying pan to a depth of 3 inches and bring to a boil.
• Adjust the heat so the water is just below the boiling point.
• Add the salt and vinegar.
• One at a time, crack the eggs into a small ramekin or tea cup and gently lower into the water.
• Work as quickly as possible so that all the eggs will cook in about the same amount of time.
• Cook until the whites are firm but the yolks are still soft, 3-4 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs to a paper towel-lined platter to drain.
• Trim away any straggly strands of egg.
• Place 2 corn bread rounds, cut sides up, on each warmed individual plate.
• Top each round with an equal amount of the ham and a poached egg.
• Spoon the hollandaise over the top, garnish with the chives and serve immediately.

MELON APPLE CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Wrap cinnamon stick, cloves, and allspice in cheesecloth and tie with string to form a bag. Crush spices gently in bag with a rolling pin or bottom of a heavy skillet.
• Bring melon, apple, sugar, vinegar, currants, ginger, cheesecloth bag, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until syrup is thick and most of liquid is evaporated, 30 to 35 minutes. Discard cheesecloth bag and cool chutney. (Syrup will continue to thicken as it cools.)

VIRGINIA HAM AND MELON APPLE CHUTNEY ON CORN BREAD ROUNDS

Steps:

• Make corn bread rounds:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat to 350°F.
• Whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Whisk together butter, milk, and egg in a small bowl, then add to cornmeal mixture and stir just until combined. Spread (or pat out) batter in a very thin even layer in a well-greased 13- by 9- by 2-inch metal baking pan (preferably using an offset spatula).
• Bake until firm and pale golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Cut out 24 rounds from hot corn bread with cookie cutter and transfer rounds to a rack to cool. (Reserve remaining corn bread for another use.)
• Top rounds:
• Spread each round with a thin layer of mustard and top with a few strips of ham and about 1 teaspoon chutney.