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Egg in the Middle

4.0

(14)

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Egg in the MiddleFiona Strickland

This is an old favorite and was, apart form pancakes, the only way my children would eat eggs. They called them 'poofle' eggs, although I can't remember why. They are known by many other names, some more logical than others, including knothole eggs, bird’s nest, Hollywood eggs, and one-eyed Jack.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 2

Ingredients

2 slices bread, preferably whole wheat
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2 eggs

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    First stamp a circle from the center of each slice of bread with a 2-inch cookie cutter and reserve.

    Step 2

    Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a frying pan or skillet over medium heat, add the bread and reserved rounds ('hats') and fry until the undersides are lightly golden.

    Step 3

    Turn the bread over, adding more oil if necessary.

    Step 4

    Carefully break the eggs and ease them into the holes. (Sometimes I drain off a little of the white, but this is not a rule.)

    Step 5

    Reduce the heat and cook until the whites are set and the yolks are beginning to set, but are still soft.

    Step 6

    Using a spatula, transfer the slices of bread and eggs to a plate, with their hats over the yolks, and serve.

Egg in the Middle, from How to Boil an Egg, all illustrations © Fiona Strickland, courtesy Phaidon Press
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