Asparagus Poached Egg French Toast
Steamed asparagus piled high on crispy French toast, topped with a perfectly poached egg and herb-infused hollandaise for a bright, elegant brunch. This french-inspired brunch ready in about 35 minutes pairs (1 inch thick) bread, milk, large eggs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 4 slices (1 inch thick) bread
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large eggs
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 2 tbsp butter
- 8 oz, trimmed asparagus
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh dill
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare French toast: Whisk 1/2 cup milk, 1 large egg, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a shallow dish. Dip each bread slice for 1 minute, then cook in 2 tbsp butter for 3-4 minutes per side until golden.
- Step 2: Steam asparagus: Place 8 oz trimmed asparagus in a steamer basket over boiling water. Steam for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Toss with 1 tbsp butter and set aside.
- Step 3: Poach eggs: Simmer 4 cups water with 1 tbsp vinegar. Create a whirlpool and slip in 2 large eggs. Cook for 3 minutes until whites are set.
- Step 4: Make herb hollandaise: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a saucepan. Whisk in 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp chopped dill, and salt until smooth.
- Step 5: Assemble: Place one French toast slice on a plate. Top with 2 tbsp steamed asparagus and 2 tbsp herb hollandaise. Place one poached egg on top and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Asparagus Poached Egg French Toast take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Asparagus Poached Egg French Toast?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (1 inch thick) bread from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Asparagus Poached Egg French Toast?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Asparagus Poached Egg French Toast for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Asparagus Poached Egg French Toast?
French brunch like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
