Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Eggy in the Middle

I know this particular dish has many, many names, but in my family we always referred to it as "eggy in the middle." We call the little circle of bread a "dunker," since it's usually used to scoop up the extra runny yolk.

1 slice of bread
1 egg
small pat of butter
salt and pepper, to taste

Take a small glass and press out a hole in the center of the bread. You can now either pre-butter the bread, or what I have recently found easier is melting butter in the pan and letting both sides of the bread soak some up. Break the egg into the hole in the bread and season with salt and pepper if you choose (I usually just use a little pepper). Move the white around gently so it is evenly distributed on the heat, taking care not to break the yolk. Once the white of the egg has started to turn more opaque, gently flip the bread and finish over low heat. Move to a plate and eat immediately!


I have always liked mine with a runny yolk, while my brother (and now Johnny) prefer a scrambled egg in the hole. To make this simple change, simply whisk the egg slightly once you have broken it into the hole in the bread and continue cooking as usual.

I love all of the different flavors and textures that come from such a simple dish. The firm egg white paired with the crunchy, buttery bread in each bite is delicious. Add the rich, creamy runny yolk (look I captured a drip!) to dunk each bite in and it's comfort food at it's best! I usually have one for a snack or light meal and two if I'm eating this as a meal in itself.

Did you grow up with this dish, too? If so, what did you refer to it as?!

13 comments:

live pura vida said...

This is famous in the movie V for Vendetta. I thought it was funny how people became obsessed with it after the movie, even funnier because I remember it being a regular at your house!

Ally's Sweet and Savory Eats said...

My husband's family has always called them "dippy" eggs. We don't put them inside the bread like you did, but we eat them often!

sophia said...

Oooh yuuuummm....you know my obsession with runny eggs! I didn't call it anything because I never liked egg yolks growing up. I know, what was I THINKING?
I like to call it "toad in the hole" now though. It's cute!

Nowheymama said...

Egg in a Basket!

Simply Life said...

i love the simplicity of this meal and how it's just always delicious!

The Diva on a Diet said...

Oh man, that last picture is making me hungry! This is one of my most favorite breakfast ... we call it eggs in the nest.

There's a restaurant in my neighborhood that does eggs in the nest with dill bread ... its spectacular.

Unknown said...

Okay why didn't I read this post yesterday, that would have been my breakfast this morning. Looks so good. As a kid we never eat this type of thing but when I got married my Bride makes it she calls it "toad in the hole" me I'm more simple "yummy"

Michelle said...

Ohhh goodness, it's eggs in a basket!! hehehe I have no idea how yours looks so perfect and getting the runny yolk...perhaps the medium heat huh? I ALWAYS overcook the egg so its a solid lump of yolk. ICK. You can imagine how much i actually like eating my own eggs in a basket. :P

Jenn@slim-shoppin said...

I never had that growing up, but I am totally with Johnny and your brother....can't do a runny yolk!

I will try your scrambled version though, I bet my kids would love that!

angelinthekitchen said...

We made ours just like these, and always called them "egg in the hole." And it was never plural for some reason. "You guys want egg in the hole for breakfast?"

Now that I'm older, it sounds a bit disturbing. :)

shannon (the daily balance) said...

i love this dish!!! we called it egg in a basket ;)

erica said...

Hello! Just found your blog, and I am totally loving the egg in the middle of the bread!

abb said...

A staple in my childhood home. And we called them One-Eyed Egyptians. Absolutely no idea the history of that name.
My kids call them the same so I do believe the name will live on.
And I LOVE them!