- 16 asparagus spears
- ½ loaf brioche
- 100g/3½oz hazelnuts, toasted
- 50g/1¾oz butter
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 4 hen eggs
- For the asparagus, bring a pan of salted water to the boil, add the asparagus spears and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Drain the asparagus and place into a bowl of ice cold water.
- For the brioche crumb, put the brioche and hazelnuts in a food processor and blend until a crumb is formed.
- Heat a large frying pan and add the butter. Once melted, add the brioche and hazelnuts and toast until golden-brown. Stir in the maple syrup.
- Remove the asparagus from the water and drain on kitchen paper.
- Place the crumbs on a plate and roll the asparagus in the crumbs.
- For the poached eggs, bring a small pan of water to a gentle simmer and then add the vinegar.
- Stir the simmering water vigorously to create a vortex, and then carefully crack two of the eggs into the water. Poach for 2-3 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked to your liking, then carefully remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and set aside to drain on kitchen paper.
- Repeat the process with the remaining two eggs.
- Alternatively, if using later, drop the poached eggs straight into iced water and chill in the fridge until ready to use. Bring a pan of water to the boil, then add the poached eggs and cook for one minute just to heat through. Drain on kitchen paper.
- To serve, divide the crumbed asparagus spears equally among four serving plates. Place one poached egg on top of each serving of asparagus.