January 12, 2014

Baked egg-in-a-hole with homemade multigrain

This recent breakfast was inspired by an email.  It was a New Year's day one from Cooking Light and there was this picture of an egg-in-a-hole in it.  It was the bread, or toast, in the picture that caught my attention because it was multigrain toast and I'd only just made my first loaf of multigrain bread. What perfect timing! So I took some of my multigrain bread and decided to get cracking (literally).
I'm sure you've seen egg-in-a-hole (or toad-in-a-hole, etc...) a million times.  Maybe like me, you've seen it but never actually made them?  Or is it just me?  Every Father's Day, I get the notion to make egg-in-a-hole as a fun little "special" breakfast but I never have.  I somehow figured I'd never be able to flip the egg and toast in the skillet and get it looking right (these are crazy things I "worry" about). And that brings me to another reason why this recipe appealed to me - it's baked egg-in-a-hole.  In other words, no flipping in the skillet!
Baking egg-in-a hole sounded like such a great idea to me.  It's a little lighter than sizzling them in an oil or butter-laden skillet.  It also means no flipping so you get a nice bright yolk front and center, and you can make quite a few all at the same time with minimal work.

It sounded so simple, and it was.  I lightly toasted my multigrain bread (luckily, I'd frozen about a third of my homemade loaf), then cut a 2 1/2 inch round from the center of each.  Lightly grease a baking sheet (I used olive oil) and set the bread on top.  Drop an egg in each and bake at 400 degrees for 5-8 minutes, until the egg whites are set but the yolk is still soft.  What you've essentially got is a sunny side up egg with toast for breakfast but in a fun little way.
I cooked some bacon alongside.  That makes my son very happy!  You could get a little fancier and dress your egg-in-a-hole up with some grated cheese and fresh herbs, and crumble crispy bacon or prosciutto over the top.  You can take it for any kind of spin you can think of but it's the general baked factor of this that I really like.  

Egg-in-a-hole is somehow simple yet special. You can use any kind of bread you like but I have to say multigrain toast goes so well here. You can really enjoy the nuttiness and flavor of the toast with the soft egg, without a lot of interference.  The multigrain is so flavorful, you don't really need or miss the butter (or maybe that's just me).  

I just love a good breakfast!

I really love eggs for so many reasons!  After chocolate, eggs are my favorite, most essential ingredient.  I feel good as long as there are eggs in my fridge.  And since I do always have them on hand, and multigrain bread was in my freezer, this Sunday breakfast happened pretty easily.
Start by lightly toasting the bread in the toaster.  Doing this, instead of cooking it til crisp with butter in a skillet like you typically would, lightens this meal up.  I made 3 but you can make as many as you want at once since you're baking them on a sheet pan!  I used a biscuit cutter to cut a 2 1/2 inch round from each slice of bread.  Depending on the size/shape of your bread, you might want to cut a 2 or 3 inch round and you can simply use a glass.

The original Cooking Light recipe that I based this off of actually calls for baking a few slices of bacon in the oven, on a sheet pan, then using the same sheet pan (with the bacon grease) to bake the egg-in-a-hole.  The recipe also adds some cheese, sage, and then sprinkles the crumbled bacon on top.  I opted to keep things even simpler and lighter.  I cooked some bacon separately and simply oiled the baking sheet with a little olive oil.  
I crack my eggs into a little bowl before carefully placing them in the holes (to avoid breaking the yolks).  Then place the baking sheet in the oven and bake at 400 degrees for 5-8 minutes, or until the egg whites are set but the yolks are still soft.  Keep a close eye on them.  During the final minutes, I threw in the toast rounds to crisp them back up a bit.
Worried they might be difficult to remove from the baking sheet?  I was, but a sturdy spatula lifted the egg-in-a-hole out without a problem for me, and I greased my baking sheet fairly lightly.

This was a fun breakfast that I have to say, I ate mostly with my hands.  Just use that toasty bread and dig into the soft egg!  A good, healthy breakfast is such a great way to start of the day!  And now...I think I have to go make more multigrain bread... 


Recipe:

Baked Egg-in-a-Hole with Multigrain Bread
Adapted from Cooking Light

- For one serving (but make as many as you like) -

1 slice multigrain bread (or your favorite kind of bread)
1 large egg
Olive oil or butter, to grease baking sheet
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional sides/toppings: bacon, cheese, herbs, avocado

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Grease a baking sheet with olive oil or butter.

Lightly toast bread in the toaster.  Using a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass, cut a 2 1/2 inch hole from the center of the toast.  Reserve the cutout toast round.  Place toast onto the greased baking sheet.

Crack an egg into a small cup or ramekin, then gently slide the egg into the hole.  Bake until egg white is set but the yolk is still soft, roughly 5-8 minutes.  During the last couple of minutes of baking time, place the cutout round in the oven to crisp up.

Using a sturdy spatula, remove the egg-in-a-hole from the baking sheet onto a plate.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve with the toast cutout.  Serve alongside bacon or other toppings, if desired. (If using cheese, add during the final minutes of baking to give it time to melt.)








54 comments:

  1. I've always loved this idea of breakfast! It's so cute but tastes really great! That's such a smart idea to crack it in a bowl first; going to try that the next time I make mine :) .

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    1. I think the cute factor is a serious appeal here, too! I don't trust myself not to crack the yolk in this kind of situation so I used the bowl even though I hate dirtying another dish. : )

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  2. I love eggs like this -- yum! If you like sweet and savoury combos, try adding the egg to a slice of brioche, I've tried it and it so good, too!

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    1. Thanks for the tip! I was never a huge brioche fan but you know, I've come to realize you just have to use every ingredient in the "right" way or find the way you like something. I'm sure it's delicious. I'll take eggs with any bread!

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  3. I love this idea... how have I never thought of baking them?! We love, love, love egg-in-the-holes in our house. Can't wait to try this method!

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    1. Marie - I kind of thought the same thing...but I've realized and accepted that I'm usually last to think of anything new! Baking like this is a lot lighter if you're after that and I really like seeing the egg yolk!

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  4. Can I tell you how genius I think this is? I love it! I've been eating eggs for breakfast lately so this is a perfect fun change!

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    1. Something kind of whimsical...I've always thought that and it is fun to eat and dig into! : )

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  5. I love how cute and appetizing everything looks! I really liked that you kept it simpler and baked the eggs to keep the dish lighter too:) Such a fun and healthy breakfast! Thanks so much for sharing Monica - love this!:) Hope ur lil guy is feeling better too.

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    1. Thanks, Kelly! I love the idea of baking the whole thing. It's far lighter and "cleaner"...nothing wrong with the skillet kind but this is also easy and that tips the scale for me. : ) Little one had a rough day but bounced back quickly (thank goodness!) - thanks for asking!

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  6. I love egg in hole! A perfect breakfast.

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  7. me! me! I have seen it so many times too, and never gotten around to making eggs and toast like this! Your post inspired me to try; i love the idea of baking them up rather than frying them (fried bread, although it has it's tasty upside, is not really my idea of an awesome way to begin the day) because less fat and less work - slip them all in the oven and done. Love this. Thanks, Monica!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not alone! : ) And I am with you - the skillet kind is delicious but the reason I love eating at home is being able to eat and not feel laden down when I get up. I use enough butter for baking that I try not to cook much with it. Using multigrain bread works really well since it's so flavorful and chewy and doesn't "need" a lot of butter to make it interesting. Being able to pop it in the oven and do a few at a time is awesome! Just use a sturdy (stainless steel) spatula to get under there and get it off the pan if you don't use a lot of grease for the pan.

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  8. I've seen it so many times but have definitely never tried it! I love that this is baked - so much easier - especially since I am TERRIBLE at flipping things in a skillet. Like so bad lol. And perfect timing since I just bought all the ingredients to make your multigrain loaf! My husband (and me too) would love this for breakfast!

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    1. Somehow, I can't picture you being bad at flipping things in a skillet! : ) And I am so excited that you plan to make the multigrain bread. I also just re-stocked pumpkin seeds and yeast and hope to make another loaf soon! I'm sure yours will be amazing! And then time for egg-in-a-hole!

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  9. I love the idea of baking Egg-in-a-Hole! Never thought of that. The eggs look like they're cooked perfectly!

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    1. I love the whole baking concept here, too. Thanks, Christin!

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  10. My husband taught me how to make egg in a hole, in his family they called it "president's eggs", don't ask me why. Never tried baking them, that is a great idea, because often the yolk breaks when flipping the egg.

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    1. "President's Eggs"! That's a new one for me. Love it! : ) I don't think breaking the egg is a huge deal if it's still runny but at the same time, I think the point of egg in a hole is how they look so I really like having an intact yolk front and center. : )

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  11. Bread and egg is my ultimate favorite anytime. This is making me hungry!

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  12. I have always wanted to try egg-in-a-hole but somehow haven't gotten to it yet. LOVE this baked version! Flipping always scares me a bit.

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    1. Glad to hear it! I love it when I'm not alone. This way is not so fussy. Just grease the baking sheet and get a sturdy spatula to get right under it and take it off. : )

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  13. This recipe very much appeal to me too, Monica. Can't wait to try! :) ela

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  14. Love your idea of using the toasty bread to dig into the soft egg : ); a hearty breakfast too!

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  15. I've wanted to make eggs in a hole since years, but I was so scared to flip the toast and end up ruining the yolk (no runny yolk, no fun). This version is genius, oho gosh. I'm eager to try it. Believe me, these are happening on Sunday morning this weekend.
    Thanks for the inspiration! xx

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    1. You are not alone, Consuelo!! I hope you try it. I'm telling everyone this: grease that baking sheet. Even if you don't use a lot of grease (I didn't), I found you just need to use a sturdy stainless steel-type spatula to get under and get it off. It's a nice lighter way to enjoy this.

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  16. This looks so cute, seen it many times before too, but never made them. It looks almost effortless way of serving pretty breakfast!

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    1. Yes - thank you! You can do several at once, too.

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  17. What a nice and cute way to start a day...I will definitely give this a try...
    Thanks for this simple and awesome idea Monica.
    Have a great week :D

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    1. Fun and cute are nice once in a while, right, Juliana? : ) Thanks!

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  18. These look perfect Monica. When I see them I think about that movie - Moon Struck with Cher. There is a scene where her mother makes these for breakfast. They look so good! I love a movie where people actually eat, change clothes, and do other normal things ;) Yum!

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    1. I know the movie (who doesn't!) but I don't remember the scene. My husband's the movie buff in the house so he might recall. I like people doing normal things, too. Eating is right up there on the list! ; )

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  19. This is so fun!! I saw Pioneer Woman do this one her show once. I keep meaning to try it out!

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    1. Her cooking show is one of my very favorites and I remember her making it one day and saying her kids always take the cutouts! : ) This baked version is easier (and lighter) for me but I'm sure her recipe is scrumptious.

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  20. I love a good breakfast too and this sounds great. Cooking Light is the best. This is my first time here, your blog is great and I will be looking around.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and for saying hi, Pam! : ) I started subscribing to Cooking Light a year or two ago and it's become possibly my favorite magazine publication. It's really good. : ) Here's to good breakfasts and good food in general!

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  21. My mom used to make eggs in a hole for me ALL the time when I was little! We call them "Bull's Eye" Eggs in my house :) We always make ours in a frying pan though...I've never heard of making them in the oven, but it sounds way easier! Will have to try that next time. Yours came out great!

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    1. You were one lucky child, Amy! Clearly! The name makes total sense and I love it. I'd never heard of or thought of baking them either but it worked really well for me. It may not taste as good as your mom's but it works out well being lighter and easier, I think!

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  22. My grandpa always made this for me as a child. The best part was undoubtedly the ultra buttery bread circle. However, I really love the idea of baking it as well.

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    1. How nice of your grandpa! Food memories are the best. I don't blame you one bit for loving a buttery toast round. Baking them is just a good alternative option. Since I can no longer eat anything I want with abandon now that I'm older : ( , I'm okay with going a little lighter (and easier is good too). Thanks!

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  23. This looks really good - and I love that they are baked! I get most of my best recipes out of Cooking Light magazine - it's my favorite magazine, and I love the way they lighten up recipes. I need to try this - I love the presentation!

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    1. It has become my favorite cooking magazine, too. I look forward to it every month and that says a lot given how magazines go. Thanks, Kristi!

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  24. I'm saving this idea for the weekend when cooking for 4 people in a frying pan takes a long time! I've never cooked eggs in the oven. I'll be super excited and impatient to try this out!

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  25. Such a happy, fulfilling breakfast! This post made me smile Monica. My kids would love this. Maybe I'll try a heart cut out for Valentine's morning? :-)

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    1. Yes, yes..Jo! The very idea of a heart cut-out and such sweet touches is how I always think of egg-in-a-hole. Great for an occasion.

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  26. Wow!!!!! I can't tell you how happpppy this breakfast idea made me!!!!!!!!! I tried making this one in a frying fan and it took me nearly an hour to muster the courage to flip it in a way that did not mess with the hole factor! This is such a fun alternative! And baked eggs mean no unwanted butter and oil so its also healthy! Loveeeeeee this idea ..... ! :)

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    1. You won't get that buttery flavorful-ness as you would from the skillet but this is easy and lighter for sure. Hope you give it a go one day. Thank, Samina.

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