Cooking

Do Try This At Home: The perfect BC brunch

by Ned Bell on November 24th, 2023 at 5:55 AM
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      Do Try This At Home is a column by celebrated local chef Ned Bell. Each month, Ned provides us with a delicious recipe using the best of what’s local, sustainable, and in season.

      The best meal to linger over with lots of absolutely delicious coffee? Brunch, of course.  

      Truly great coffee is welcome any time of day, but a celebration of Milano Coffee Roasters’ 20-year tenure in Vancouver has inspired me to slow down and savour the moment a little more. An original in Vancouver's bean scene, Milano has long been creating delicious espresso blends to enjoy in warm, welcoming cafes and homes across the city. Here is the perfect brunch dish to pair with their top-notch coffee beans: poached eggs with apple-bacon relish.

      Apple-bacon relish

      Ingredients

      • 4 cups diced double smoked Johnston’s Pork bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces 
      • 2 cups BC apples peeled, diced, and cored
      • ¼ cup shallots, finely diced 
      • ⅛ cup olive oil 
      • ½ cup maple syrup 
      • 1 tablespoon real vanilla 
      • ½ cup red wine vinegar 
      • 2 tablespoons horseradish 
      • 2 tablespoons grainy mustard 
      • ½ cup flat-leaf parsley, sliced

      Method

      1. In a medium pot over medium heat, saute the shallots in the olive oil for 2 minutes 
      2. Add the diced bacon and cook for 5 minutes 
      3. Add the diced apples and cook for 5 minutes 
      4. Add the maple syrup and the red wine vinegar and cook for 1 minute 
      5. Remove from heat 
      6. Add the horseradish, mustard, and vanilla, then remove from heat    
      7. Let cool slightly 
      8. Once cool, add the sliced parsley and set aside while you cook the eggs

      Perfect poached eggs

      Ingredients

      • 2 BC eggs 
      • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
      • 1 pinch finishing salt

      Method 

      1. In a small pot of simmering water, add the white vinegar and swirl in circles
      2. Crack the eggs and place in a small dish
      3. When the water is swirling, slowly lay the eggs one by one into the pot
      4. Gently cook for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how firm you like them to be
      5. Remove and place the eggs on a paper towel to drain the water
      6. Sprinkle a little salt on top

      Plating

      1. To serve the dish, toast and butter your favourite sourdough bread or a delicious cheesy scone
      2. Generously spread the sweet and savoury relish on the bread and place the eggs on top
      3. Garnish with some fresh herbs and a side salad
      4. Pair with the Milano Coffee Roasters special anniversary Turks Crown espresso blend, available at Milano locations as of November 24

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