The Ultimate Breakfast Food

THE ULTIMATE BREAKFAST

Steps:

• Split the biscuits in half and set aside. In a saute pan, cook the sausage patties. Remove from the pan and place on bottom half of each biscuit. Add butter to the sausage fat and melt. Crack the eggs into the pan and cook to desired doneness. Top the sausage with a slice of cheese and then top with fried eggs. Place the other half of each biscuit on top of the eggs and smother with the sausage gravy.
• Mix water and milk in a stock pot and slowly heat. Do not boil. In a cast-iron skillet, cook the sausage. The meat should be chopped frequently while cooking to give it a ground beef consistency. When the sausage is well done, carefully strain and save the grease and then add the meat to the water and milk. Put the grease back in the skillet over moderate heat. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper to make your roux. Cook this mixture until it will cling to the spoon and come off the skillet cleanly. When the milk and water mixture is just under boiling, stir in the sausage roux while turning off the heat to thicken the gravy.

THE ULTIMATE MAKEOVER: FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST

Steps:

• Lay the bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes on a foil-lined tray. Brush the tops of the mushrooms with 3 tsp of the oil and both sides of the bread with the remaining oil. Set aside. Heat the grill to very hot. Lay the sausages on a small foil-lined tray (best not to prick good-quality sausages or they may lose moisture). Grill for about 10 mins until cooked, turning occasionally.
• Meanwhile, three-quarters fill a small pan, and a wide, deep sauté pan with water. Bring both to the boil. Lower an egg into the small pan and remove after 30 secs. Crack the egg into a cup. Add vinegar to the larger pan then, using a wire whisk, swirl the water around to create a whirlpool. Remove the whisk and slowly tip the egg into the centre of the whirlpool (see top picture). When the water comes back to the boil, remove the pan from the heat, cover and leave for 3 mins, then remove the egg. Place in a bowl of warm water while you cook the other egg - or cook both eggs an hour ahead, leave in a bowl of iced water, then reheat for 1½ mins in simmering water before serving.
• Meanwhile heat a griddle pan to very hot. Place the tomatoes, bacon and mushrooms under the grill for 3-4 mins without turning. At the same time, lay the bread on the griddle pan, cook until crisp, about 1 min each side. Drain everything on kitchen paper.
• Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and drain briefly on a cloth. Arrange everything on a plate and serve with the juice and fruit.