- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 5 free-range eggs
- 110g/4oz plain flour
- 200g/7oz fresh breadcrumbs
- vegetable oil, for deep-frying
- 50g/1¾oz butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 banana shallot, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 300g/10½oz mixed wild mushrooms, torn into pieces if large
- ½ loaf brioche, cut into thick slices
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 300ml/10fl oz vegetable oil
- 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- For the deep-fried egg, bring a large saucepan of water to the boil, add the vinegar and a pinch of salt. Boil 4 of the eggs for 5 minutes. Remove the eggs from the saucepan using a slotted spoon, and leave to chill in a bowl of ice-cold water.
- Crack the remaining egg into a bowl. Whisk with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Peel the boiled eggs. Prepare a shallow plate of flour and a separate plate of breadcrumbs. Dredge the boiled eggs in the flour, then dip into the beaten egg and roll in the breadcrumbs. Set aside on a tray in the fridge until needed.
- Heat the oil in a deep-fat fryer to 180C/350F. Alternatively, pour the oil into a deep, heavy-based pan to a depth of 2cm/¾in and bring to the same temperature on the hob. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)
- Fry the eggs until golden-brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on kitchen paper and season with salt.
- Heat a frying pan, add the butter and olive oil. Add the shallot and gently fry for 3 minutes, until just softened. Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms have released their liquid and are tender. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a clean frying pan. Lay the brioche in the hot pan and toast each side until golden-brown.
- For the mayonnaise, put the egg yolks, vinegar and mustard in a food processor and blend until pale and creamy.
- With the motor running, pour in a steady stream of oil until the mayonnaise is thick (you may not need all the oil). Just before serving add the herbs and blend.
- To serve, cut a hole in the slices of brioche and sit the eggs in the holes. Dress the plate with mushrooms and mayonnaise.