Valentines Day: Love Birds Nest Breakfast

I am a big fan of these "egg in the nest" for breakfast. They are quick, easy and they are delicious! I am thankful for my grandma making them for me as a child and I love the way they can be made in different ways.

Also known as "egg in the hole" or "bird in the nest" these are simply just an egg, cooked into the middle of a piece of bread by making a hole in the bread with a cookie cutter, or anything round.

For Valentines Day I thought it would be a cute idea to make these using a heart shaped cookie cutter, (or a steady hand) to make things a little more special then an ordinary breakfast.

I am going to show you three ways to make these but first I am will show you how to make the "egg in the nest" itself. Then I will show you how to make them into a much more filling breakfast.

 Here's how I make them.

1.Start with two pieces of bread. Any kind will do. Take your bread and lightly butter the front and back.  You can add little nips of butter in several pieces if you don't want to spread it.

2. Using a heart shaped cookie cutter, or steady hand, cut a heart into the middle of the bread. I prefer to use a smaller sized cutter because it cooks the eggs so that the yolk is still runny in the middle. You can also butter the cut out shape and toast it, then serve it along side the "egg in the nest"

3. Place on your non-stick pan and turn the heat to medium. (4 or 5 on my stove)

4. Immediately crack the egg into the heart shaped hole and allow to cook for about 2-3 minutes. You will start to see the egg white cookie on the bottom and you can now add salt and pepper if desired. After 2-3 minutes check the toast by light lifting one side to see if the bread has started to brown, or toast and the egg white has cooked through and doesn't run when lifted. When done, use a flat long spatula to quickly flip the bread over to cook the other side.

5. Cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes. If you notice the one part cooking faster then the other (if the bread is cooking faster then the egg or the egg is cooking faster then the bread) then lower the heat down one. Once the egg and the bread is cooked to your desire, you are done!

HAM AND CHEESE EGG IN THE NEST:

1. Start off with the instructions above, (1-5) but instead, make two slices for the top and bottom of the sandwich. You can make them one at a time, or if your pan is big enough, you can make both at the same time.

2. Once the egg in the nest is close to finishing and you no longer have to flip the bread, add a slice of American Cheese to one slice. Then put a slice or two of ham in the pan till it sizzles and heats. Place the heated ham onto the cheese and top with the second slice of bread. When you eat the sandwich the egg should be runny, the cheese should be melted and gooey and the ham will add salt and great flavor!

 

EGG IN THE NEST WITH AVOCADO AND TOMATO ON WHOLE GRAIN BREAD.

1. Start off with the instructions above, (1-5) but use whole grain bread. I like to use Orowheats 12 grain bread. Make two slices for the top and bottom of sandwich. You can make them one at a time, or if your pan is big enough, you can make both at the same time.

2. While the egg in the nest is cooking, prepare your avocado. Make sure the avocado is ripe and at room-temperature for better flavor. Cut the avocado, remove the seed and spoon into a bowl. Add a dash of salt and pepper and mash the avocado to your liking. I like to leave small chunks. I also use a whole (small) avocado for one sandwich. But I just really, really love avocado.

3. Wash and cut your tomato in thin slices. Or thick slices if you LOVE tomatoes like I do. If whomever you are making this for doesn't like tomatoes, try to convince them to let you slice very thin slices of tomatoes because it really makes the flavor of this sandwich complete.

4. Place the bread face down ( the side that you can see the heart shape better on) and spread your avocado onto it. Sprinkle more salt and pepper, enough to season the avocado. Place your tomato slices and sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Top with your last egg in the nest bread and your done!