Egg in the Hole

“Egg in the hole” or “Egg in the basket” is a comfort food made of chicken's egg fried in a hole of a slice of bread in a small amount of butter. It is also known by a large number of alternative names like "frog in a log", "hen in a nest", "Rocky Mountain toast", "Soldier in a Boat", "moon egg", "cowboy egg", "one-eyed monster breakfast", "hobo eggs", “Bird’s Nest Egg”, “Pop Eyes”, “Private Eyes”and "One-eyed Jack". In a particular movie, the term "Guy Kibbee Eggs" was used and in some places it is known as "toad in the hole" or sometimes just “toad hole”.

Having such numerous names only proved its popularity. It should be, aside from the fact that it is very easy to prepare, it is quite delicious and really comforting. One can fix it very quickly making it a reliable dish for people on the go. If you love eggs and like toasted bread, then this is your perfect breakfast or snack meal. I’m pretty sure my son who loves sunny side up fried egg very much would enjoy this dish as well.

To re-create it, we shall need 2 fresh eggs, 2 slices of bread, about 1 tbsp butter, pinch of salt, pinch of ground pepper and pinch of paprika (optional).

Using a cookie cutter or just the opening of a glass cut about 2-inch hole from the center of the bread, reserving the cut round. In a small nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt a small amount of butter. Tilt the skillet so the melted butter covers the surface of the pan. Place one slice of bread and one cut round and toast lightly for about 1 minute. Crack the egg into the hole and season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown or about 2 minutes.

Lift the sliced bread with the egg, add another small bit of butter on the skillet and flip over (the bread with egg) to cook the other side. Do the same with the cut round. Add some more butter as needed to brown and crisp the toast. Season lightly with salt and pepper. If you are using a salted butter limit the amount of your salt. Cook for another 2 minutes for a runny yolk, or slightly longer for a set egg.

Transfer egg-in-the-hole to a plate and sprinkle with paprika, if desired. Serve, and use the toasted round for dipping into the yolk. Easy but yummy.

But since my son likes a sunny side up fried egg, we will cook the other slice of bread that way. Basically follow the same procedure above. This time though let the sliced bread and cut round to fully cook on one side first without the egg. Lift, add some more butter on the skillet and flip over. Immediately crack the egg into the hole. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the bread is crispy and the egg is cooked but yolk is runny.

Slide onto a plate and serve. Sprinkle with paprika, if you like. My boy doesn’t. The toasted round is perfect for dipping into the wonderful yolk. :)

That’s it, “Egg in the Hole” two-way. Pick your choice. c“,)