Lean in,I have a secret:silken tofu is the answer to this eggy sandwich. It results in the fluffiest,silkiest,easiest baked eggs you will ever make. It makes them much lighter and less of a breakfast assault;the sort of rich eating that requires a post-meal lie-down.
Note:This makes more bacon jam than you need,but it’s a wonder to have in your fridge to upscale any meal at a moment’s notice.
INGREDIENTS
Bacon jam
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 brown onions,diced
- 4 garlic cloves,grated
- 1kg streaky bacon,trimmed and diced
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sherry vinegar
- Preheat the oven to 175C fan-forced (195C conventional). Grease and line a baking dish (about 30cm x 20cm x 10 cm),leaving enough baking paper overhanging to make it easy to remove the egg once cooked.
- To make the eggy goodness,add the eggs,tofu and sour cream to a blender and blitz to combine. Pour into a bowl and stir through the cheese and herbs. Season with sea salt flakes and pepper. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- To make the bacon jam,add the oil,onion and garlic to a frying pan and place over low heat. Season with sea salt flakes and pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the onions soften and caramelise. Add the bacon and cook for 5 minutes,then add the brown sugar,vinegar and a splash of water. Stir to combine then simmer for 30 minutes,stirring until it has reduced to a jam-like consistency and darkens in colour. (Leftover jam can be stored in a jar in the fridge for 3 weeks.)
- Run a spatula or knife around the edges of the baking dish to release the egg sheet,then remove it to a chopping board. Cut the baked egg into 10 even pieces,or to fit the size of your English muffins.
- When you’re ready to serve,preheat the oven to 150C fan-forced (170C conventional).
- To build the sandwiches,stack an egg piece,1 slice of cheese and 1-2 tablespoons of bacon jam on half an English muffin. Top with the remaining muffin half. Repeat with the remaining muffins,then pop the sandwiches on a tray in the oven to heat through until the cheese has melted,about 10 minutes.
Makes 10 (with bacon jam left over)
Note:You can prepare these sandwiches well ahead of time and store them in the fridge. You can even freeze them if not using them immediately − wrap them in baking paper,then foil,and place them in a freezer bag to ensure they don’t get any freezer burn.
Croissant shakshuka bake
Serves 3-6
Rustic quiche,heavy on the greens,with bagel seasoning
Quiche and I have a complicated relationship. A failed pastry seal in culinary school saw me cleaning those huge pastry ovens of exploded quiche Lorraine filling long after my fellow commis chefs had gone home. I break out in a cold sweat whenever I think of that scrubbing.
But this quiche and I get along just fine. And you will be firm friends,too. She is intentionally free-form and rustic,and all the more robust for it.
Serves 6-8
Note:To make your own bagel seasoning,mix 1 tablespoon each of nutritional yeast flakes,onion powder,garlic powder,black sesame seeds,white sesame seeds and poppy seeds.
The ultimate Easter (chocolate) tart
I wouldn’t limit this easy-peasy chocolate tart to Easter – that feels far too restrictive. It is as pretty adorned with Easter eggs as with beautiful in-season fruit.