Eggs

Eggs. They are the start to people’s days so it’s only fitting that I start my blog with them, too. Growing up, they came in the form of ham quickies – my dad’s special version of ham omelets for us kids. Nowadays it’s a little more fancy and definitely more varied. Herbs de Provence are often mixed in and runny yolks are left to drip down burgers. Farm fresh are preferred.

To be completely honest, I was never a huge fan of eggs. I was never much of a breakfast eater either, so maybe that was it. And the first Egg McMuffin I had wasn’t until 2012. But I digress. Nowadays I understand why Julia Child spent so much time trying to teach us all the proper way to cook eggs and why Anthony Bourdain, in his book Medium Raw, says, quite poignantly, “I have long believed that it is only right and appropriate that before one sleeps with someone, one should be able – if called upon to do so – to make them a proper omelet in the morning.” The man speaks the truth. Eggs are so versatile and such a humble food, but they take care and patience to master. And it’s worth it.

One of my favorite dishes involving eggs is a cross between a glorified egg sandwich and toad-in-the-hole (egg in a basket). It steps up your run of the mill breakfast and makes it a little more fancy.

Open-Faced Egg Sammie

serves 1-2, depending on hunger level

Ingredients:

2 slices whole wheat bread

2 eggs

1 handful arugula, or other favorite green, lightly chopped

2 slices of tomato

Cheese of choice, shredded (Depending on what I have on hand, it will be some combination of gouda, cheddar, mimolette, midnight moon, etc)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Butter for the pan (butter adds so much flavor and richness to the toast)

Directions:

Using a cookie cutter, small juice glass or a knife, cut circles out from the middle of the bread. Don’t ball up the doughy goodness and pop it into your mouth, we’ll use it later!

Preheat a nonstick griddle or pan over medium and put a pat of butter on to melt. Place the slices of bread on next and let them toast slightly. They need a little head start in the browning process before the eggs are added.

Crack the eggs and place them into the holes in the bread. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Place the rounds I told you not to eat on the griddle to toast.

Once the whites have just barely set, add a little more butter to the griddle if necessary, but otherwise go ahead and flip. Turn over the circle, too.

At this point, time is of the essence, so quickly place the arugula, tomato and cheese on top to wilt. Once the yolk is cooked to your liking and the cheese is melted, plate up, top with the toasted round and Bon Appetit!