Easy brunch recipe version of classic Bloody Mary cocktail on rye toast. Recipe commissioned by Ketel One Premium Distilled Vodka.
This is quite an admission. I had never, can you believe drunk a Bloody Mary before this week. Neither had I drunk tomato juice.
I’m immediately converted. Since avoiding sugar whilst I’m doing Weightwatchers, I am totally tuned into savoury flavours and can see myself enjoying tomato juice with or without vodka on a regular basis. Furthermore, a vodka and slimline tonic is one of the drinks served in a pub with the fewest calories in it so that’s two new favourites in one.
More imaginatively, vodka is of course the spirit behind the traditional Bloody Mary cocktail and to celebrate new twists on this old favourite, Ketel One Vodka have launched a Bloody Mary brunch campaign including their customisable infographic World Class Brunch helping you choose a brunch favourite from around the world with a version of Bloody Mary to match.
I got the idea to add the vodka and other Bloody Mary ingredients to the tomatoes since penne alla vodka tomato sauce dishes are frequently seen in Italian cooking. What works there works here very well indeed and in order to conform with every stereotypical brunch cliche that there is, we must add compulsory poached egg and avocado.
Bread is also something I’m largely avoiding right now. I can’t bear that fresh air excuse for calorie reduced bread so instead I favour small amounts of dense, interesting bread. This rye toast was made from a fresh loaf of rye bread rather than being a typical shrink wrapped skinny sliced German import (although I enjoy those sometimes too).
Anchovies – incase you’re wondering how they ended up here – are a core component of Worcestershire sauce, itself an essential ingredient in the classic Bloody Mary cocktail.
The original of my square poached eggs has been questioned previously on Instagram – below I share my tips for the perfect microwaved poached egg.
Rye Toast with Bloody Mary Topping
Ingredients
- 4 slices rye bread
- 400 g can chopped plum peeled tomatoes not drained
- 30 ml Ketel One vodka
- 8 anchovies in oil
- 2 large eggs
- a few drops of groundnut or rapeseed oil for cooking the eggs
- 1/2 soft avocado
- generous splash of Worcestershire sauce
- ground black pepper
- smoked sea salt
- Tabasco chilli sauce
Instructions
- In a small frying pan over a medium heat, heat the chopped plum tomatoes with the vodka and four of the anchovies (chop them to make them break down in the tomato), a sousing of Worcestershire sauce, generous grind of black pepper, scattering of smoked sea salt and as much Tabasco chilli sauce as you like. Heat fairly vigorously until the liquid cooks off and you are left with thickened tomatoes.
- Meanwhile toast the rye bread and poach the eggs. My preferred method for poaching eggs - which yields this curious square shape - is to microwave them one at a time in a small plastic container on a medium heat for one minute ten seconds then a further ten seconds on high. Your own microwave strength may vary so tweak these timings/temperatures if your eggs are prone to spitting or not cooking within this time. Prior to cooking, smear oil over the surface of a small microwave proof plastic container, pierce the yolk gently in two places and cover lightly with a pierced piece of cling film.
- To serve, top the rye toast with cooked down tomatoes and the poached egg. Criss cross with two more whole anchovies each and a fan of ripe avocado slices.
- Serve immediately - with a Bloody Mary cocktail to hand.
I am submitting this recipe to Dom at Belleau Kitchen’s Simply Egg-cellent with this month’s theme “anything goes”.
If you like this brunch dish why not also try:
Pesto and Feta pastries by Fuss Free Flavours
Enjoy alcohol responsibly. DrinkAware. Rye toast topped with Bloody Mary recipe commissioned by Ketel One Vodka.
Love the look of that toast especially with the avoacdo and anchovies. I’m making a brunch recipe for this campaign this weekend too. Can’t wait to get started now x
I hope you have either avocado or poached egg at the ready…. cos I don’t think brunch is allowed without at least one of these!
Don’t worry there will be egg – and smoked salmon!
I am a big fan of tomato juice, and vodka, but for some reason not so much bloody mary. But, I think I would actually really enjoy it like this.
I’m not sure why I’d not tried a bloody mary before but I think they’re going to be my pub favourite now.
This is genius! Vodka for breakfast – what could be better 😉 I love the Ketel One vodka, such a difference between that and the cheap stuff I usually buy!
I might have to do a taste test comparison. Just to check.
shut the front door!!!!!!! You’ve never had a bloody mary!?!?! They are absolutely one of my all time favourite drinks for a boozy brunch! I like them spicy and I adore this dish of yours, it’s superb. that egg looks perfect doesn’t it? Thanks so much for linking to Simply Eggcellent x
I have been making up for it since 😉
I too have never had vodka or tomato juice so you are not along Sarah! Your rye creation with Bloody Mary topping sounds lush, I’d like to try Ketel One now:-)
Thanks – I had had vodka. I especially like it with apple juice which was a Polish inspired combination Ren Behan got me onto.
The first time that I had a bloody mary was at food blogger connect this year. I rather liked it. I like the above combo but nay nay nay to that little anchovy Mrs. Oh my anchovies must ONLY be eaten in mushed up form hidden in some kind of sauce. I do see your logic though so I’ll let you off!
Noooo you need to try whole anchovies from Collioure between Perpignan and Spanish border. They’re big fat things almost the size of sardines and served roll mop style in oily brine.
I do like the way canned version ones like these disappear into a puttanesca though.
Love the idea of having Vodka for breakfast! I love bloody mary
Love the look of this dish.. it is really delicious.
Totally my type of food. Fresh, homemade and full of nutrients plus it’s not drowning in fat! Thanks a lot for this recipe I’m gonna make it this weekend!
I love your admission about the Bloody Mary and the tomato juice. Glad to hear that you are making up for lost time though!. I love the idea of this dish. Thanks for sharing.
I love tomato juice and bloody mary! had never thought of using them as toast topping, yuuummmmm!
I have never had a bloody mary either 🙂 Haha you are so right – brunch always involves poached eggs and avocados!! This looks like a great idea for brunch!
Fabulous Sarah. Egg, spicy, avocado and the anchovy is genius. When can I come over for brunch?
You’re always welcome 😉