Southern Eggs En Cocotte Food

EGGS EN COCOTTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Rub the inside of 6 ramekins with the butter and then season with the thyme, distributing both equally amongst the ramekins. Add 2 eggs to each, season with salt and pepper. Place the ramekins in a baking dish, and pour water into the baking dish until it is halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Carefully place the baking dish in the pre-heated oven. Bake eggs for 15 minutes, or until set and golden on top. Eat and enjoy!

EGGS EN COCOTTE WITH A BASQUE PIPERADE

Steps:

• Special equipment: 4 (1-cup) capacity ramekins
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil.
• Smear the bottom of each ramekin with the butter. For each serving, crack 2 eggs into a small bowl or dish, being careful not to break the yolks, then slide into a prepared ramekin. Season with the salt and pepper, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the cream, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan. Set the ramekins into a medium-sized glass or ceramic baking pan, allowing at least 1 inch of space between dishes. Transfer to the bottom rack of the oven and pour the boiling water into the baking dish, being careful not to splash any hot water into the ramekins. Cover with a sheet of aluminum foil and bake 8 to 12 minutes, until the whites are set but the yolks are still soft and a bit runny. Prepare the piperade while the eggs are baking.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the prosciutto in the olive oil until beginning to crisp, then add the onion. Saute until lightly golden, then add the red and green pepper and cook until the strips just begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant, then add the tomatoes and red pepper flakes, if using. Allow the mixture to stew over medium-low heat until liquid has evaporated and the tomatoes are heated through. Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper. Off the heat, add the basil. Divide between the ramekins (you will have extra) and serve on a small plate, piping hot.
• This recipe was provided by a finalist, who may or may not be a professional cook, for The Next Food Network Star. Food Network has not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.

EGGS IN POTS (OEUFS EN COCOTTE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/180 degrees C/Gas 4.
• Season the creme fraiche with salt, freshly ground pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
• Place a heaped tablespoon of creme fraiche in the bottom of a ramekin, followed by a little chopped dill. Crack an egg on top, add a second tablespoon of creme fraiche and sprinkle with a pinch each of salt, pepper and nutmeg. Repeat with 3 more ramekins.
• Place the ramekins in a baking dish and pour enough lukewarm water into the dish to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the egg yolks are set to your liking.
• If you like, finish each serving with a teaspoon of red lumpfish roe and a sprig or two of dill.

BAKED EGGS EN COCOTTE - ITALIAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler or the oven to 350°F Skin, seed and chop the tomatoes. Place the chopped tomatoes in a bowl with the garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and parsley. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper and mix well.
• Place a little of the mixture into the base of 4 ramekins or 'cocottes' and break an egg into each ramekin.
• Scatter each egg with a little more of the tomato mixture, making sure you add the 'juice' as well. Top with breadcrumbs and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Place under a hot broiler or in the oven until the eggs are cooked and set to your liking. Serve at once.

TRUFFLED EGGS EN COCOTTE

Steps:

• Put the eggs in an airtight container with the truffles and keep in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours or 48 hours if possible, to allow the aroma of the truffles to permeate the eggs.
• Slice the truffles as thinly as possible (There are actually special tools for this but a vegetable peeler works just fine). Bring the cream just to a boil in a small pan, then immediately remove from heat and drop in the truffles,cover the pan and set aside until cool.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
• Brush the insides of 2 cocottes or ramekins, about 3 1/4 inches in diameter and 1 1/2 inches deep, with the softened butter and season with salt and pepper.
• Coat the bottom and sides of the ramekins with the grated cheese, tipping any excess out of the ramekins (just as you would flour a buttered cake tin).
• Strain the cooled cream-and-truffle mixture, reserve the truffles, and divide the infused cream between the cocottes.
• Carefully crack the eggs in a bowl and tip it gently into each cocotte so the top of the yolk appears through the cream. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese.
• Line a shallow roasting pan with waxed paper.
• Put in the cocottes and gently pour boiling water around them until the water comes halfway up the sides.
• Place in the oven and bake, checking after 10 minutes; the cream should be just set but the yolk should still be runny.
• If you prefer your egg a little more cooked, bake for another 2 to 5 minutes.
• Put a cocotte on each plate, garnish with the slices of the reserved truffles and serve.
• Note: You can be generous and eat all the truffle with your breakfast companion, or you can save some and use it to garnish a salad or a dish of pasta--so wonderful!