In these beyond surreal times, I've found myself trying to create a new sense of normalcy - WFH habits, workout routines, morning rituals - to help solidify my new "day to day". While I most certainly don't miss the 40+ minute commute in a crowded NYC subway (that NEVER has a vacant seat btw), I do miss my little breakfast moment of zen before the grind begins. Naturally, the first thing on 'my cooped up cooking agenda' (Food Network, are you getting this?) was my take on the classic, the iconic, the incomparable breakfast sandwich. Don't let the simplicity fool ya, folks. This is not your deli's breakfast sammie.
Ingredients:
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Classic Ham: 2 large eggs 2 English muffins 4-6 thin slices deli ham 2 slices American cheese 1 tsp olive oil butter for spreading salt and pepper to taste parsley and hot sauce for topping (optional) Florentine Variation: 2 large eggs 2 English muffins 2 slices American cheese 2 generous handfuls baby spinach (~2 cups) 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced 1 tbsp + 1 tsp olive oil butter for spreading salt and pepper to taste parsley and hot sauce for topping (optional) 1 standard sized muffin tin, non-stick
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease the muffin tin with 1/2 tsp of olive oil in each of the two most center cups and crack 1 egg in each. Season with salt and pepper. Bake on the center rack for 15 minutes until the whites have set (times may vary based on your oven's mood).
While the eggs are baking, prep the rest of your sammie assembly line and take this time to ask yourself the important questions: are you a 2 ham slices or a 3 ham slices person? Toast the English muffins, butter them as soon as they pop out of the toaster, and layer the bottom halves with ham (the residual heat of the muffins will bring the ham to room temp).
If you've opted for the florentine version, welcome! Preheat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat in a medium-sized skillet. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Add the spinach, season with salt and pepper, and cook down until wilted (about 2-3 minutes). Layer onto the buttered English muffins.
Take the eggs out of the oven, run a spatula around each cup to loosen the eggs and place onto your ham or spinach decorated carb vessel. Top with a slice of cheese, a few dashes of your go-to hot sauce, parsley, and the other half of the English muffin. Breakfast is served!
Hot take: Combine the ham and spinach versions for the ultimate breakfast sammie experience. Why choose when you can have both? Tbh, why stop there? Add bacon, add avo. Make it your own.