Eggs In A Frame Food

EGG-IN-THE-HOLE

Steps:

• Cut a 2-inch round from the center of the bread, reserving the round. Melt a nut size bit of butter in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place the slice of bread and the round in skillet and toast lightly, about 1 minute. Crack the egg into the hole and season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining butter as needed to brown and crisp the toast. Flip the egg and round, season with salt and pepper. Cook another 2 minutes for a runny yolk, or slightly longer for a set egg.
• Transfer the egg-in-the-hole to a plate and sprinkle with paprika, if desired. Serve and use the toasted round for dipping into the yolk.

EGGS IN A FRAME

Steps:

• Place bread on a clean, flat surface and, using a 3 inch diameter biscuit cutter or rim of a drinking glass, very firmly press into bread and twist to cut through bread. Remove and reserve the round of bread.
• Melt butter in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Remove from heat and add the bread "frame" and the round.
• Turn the frame and round over to coat both sides with the melted butter, then return skillet to medium heat.
• Crack egg and pour into hole in the bread frame.
• Watch carefully and flip the round, to brown both sides, and turn over the egg in the frame when the white is almost completely opaque (about 1 1/2-2 minutes.)
• Reduce heat to low and cook for about 15-30 seconds (according to the yolk firmness you prefer.)
• Remove to warm plate and season as desired. Black truffle sea salt is highly recommended (the "real" stuff is available at myspicesage.com.)

EGG IN THE BASKET

Steps:

• Cut a circle in the middle of a piece of bread.
• If you don't have a round cookie cutter, the top of a glass will work.
• Heat a skillet or griddle sprayed with Pam or Mazola.
• Place the bread in the pan.
• Put about 1/2 t butter in the hole in the bread.
• Heat the butter until very hot.
• Crack an egg in the hole.
• Use a spatula to move the white around so it gets done.
• When the egg is fairly well set, turn the bread and egg over to cook the other side, being careful not to break the yolk.
• In the meantime, toast the holes from the bread for dipping in the yolk.
• Oh, and salt and pepper as desired.
• I guess you could toast the bread before you put it in the pan, but I've never tried it that way.