I can't get over how fast, how good and how easy tomato poached eggs are to make and more importantly, to eat. On holidays like New Years Day, I like to make the tomato sauce the night before and store it in the fridge. When I wake up, inevitably regretting the copious amounts of champagne I consumed the night before, all I have to do is heat the sauce up, crack a few eggs and voilĂ ! breakfast for six in under 20 minutes.
As with many egg dishes, the best part of this one is the contrast of flavors and textures. The tomatoes are tangy, sweet and juicy, the eggs firm but soft, their sumptuous yolks just liquid enough to run all over the dish when broken. I like to serve tomato poached eggs over a starch that is up to some serious sopping. Because what's the point of cooking an egg yolk to the perfect consistency if you can't get it off of the plate and into your mouth? Polenta, grits or a toasted piece of bread will do the trick. I made my baked goat cheese polenta, a recipe that I hesitate to share with you due to large instances of addiction. Maybe one day.
And here's the best part, my friends: tomato poached eggs can be dressed up by other canned ingredients such as artichoke hearts or pickled peppers. Maybe you'll even get a little crazy and experiment with some curry paste. You were going to clean out your pantry for the new year anyway, right?? Pictured here is the Bloody Mary version of tomato poached eggs, which I assume is the most appropriate for tomorrow, New Years Day. Which reminds me: I hope you all stay safe tonight, eat delicious food and have magical midnight kisses!
Special thanks to Red Gold Tomatoes for providing... the tomatoes! And to my Mom, who helped me set up this shoot, even though she has a torn meniscus.
-serves six
this is the base recipe. all other "styles" are what I refer to as "add-ins."
1T olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
1t red pepper flakes (more if you like it spicy)
1/2 cup dry white wine
salt and pepper
one can tomato sauce (preferably no salt added)
one can crushed tomatoes (preferably no salt added)
6 large eggs
suggested styles:
Bloody Mary
celery salt
1/2 cup chopped pickled peppers
2T capers
1T Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco to taste
top with horseradish sauce and parsley
serve over polenta
Greek
1T dried oregano
1/2 cup chopped artichoke hearts
2T chopped kalamata olives
top with feta cheese
serve over toasted pita bread
Caprese
one large handful roughly torn fresh basil
2 garlic cloves, diced
top with shredded mozzarella and balsamic vinegar
serve over polenta
Mexican
taco seasoning (I like the one at Trader Joe's) to taste
top with black bean salsa and queso blanco
serve over warm flour tortillas
Italian
3 garlic cloves, diced
1T dried oregano
1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
top with parmesan
serve over grilled ciabatta
Instructions
In a large pan with high sides, sauté onion in olive oil with a pinch of salt and red pepper flakes over medium heat until golden brown. Pour in wine and cook down for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and other add-ins. Let simmer for 20 minutes. Taste it! Adjust salt accordingly. (Place in fridge after simmering if you're making ahead. If your mixture looks dry when you heat it back up, add a splash of vegetable stock. Be sure to heat it back to a steady simmer before cracking the eggs.) With the back of a large spoon, make six small wells. Crack eggs into wells, cover (a piece of tin foil will do) and cook for 7 minutes or until eggs are the firmness you like them.
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