kale

Fried Egg Sandwich

I’m a sold out breakfast-in-the-morning kind of person. You know those diet tips that say “don’t skip breakfast” and encourage you to start off your day eating a meal; I take them very seriously. And although my family would probably rather have a bowl of cereal, I am determined to make them real breakfast people, because it’s nice when people eat cooked food.

Pretty much anything that has eggs, bacon, and cheese is a winner, but this dish is childhood favorite that has been amped up with a little kale and gruyère (nod to Gwyneth Paltrow), and the “tangy zip of Miracle Whip”. (Because there is nothing else exactly like it.)

As organic as possible:

Serves 4

8 slices Bacon

1 cup finely grated Gruyère cheese

4 large Eggs

Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper

4 thick slices Country Bread

1/4 to 1/2 cup Miracle Whip

4 small or 2 large Kale leaves (hard stems removed)

2 tsp Olive oil

1/2 Tbsp (1 small pat) Butter

Arrange the bacon in a single layer in a large sauté pan, in two batches if necessary. Fry over medium-high heat until it reaches desired crispiness, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

Wipe out almost all the bacon fat from the pan and make four 1/4 cup piles of cheese in the pan (they will sizzle and crisp immediately). Crack an egg over each flattened pile of cheese crisp. Generously salt and pepper the eggs. Cook until whites are set (not clear and runny).

In the meantime in a small sauté pan over medium heat olive oil and butter until butter becomes frothy. Coat the pan by swirling the oil and butter, add kale and sauté until kale is soften and slightly wilted (flipping once). Lightly salt and pepper the kale. Set aside.

While the eggs are frying and kale is sautéing, toast the bread in a toaster.

When all the preparation is finished it is time to assemble! Spread each piece of toast with 1 to 2 tablespoons of Miracle Whip, top with 1/4 of the sautéed kale, 2 slices of bacon, and one of the crispy Gruyère/fried egg combos. Repeat three more times.

Parmesan Kale Chips

I don’t know what you may or may not be thinking, so let me just clarify… These are Delicious! They are crispy and salty, with more an earthier flavor than you could ever get from a potato chip. I think they would be a great side dish for any meal. But they are really just good on their own, a very easy starter, appetizer or snack.  They are perfect finger foods! (But check your teeth when you’re finished.) Only four ingredients and completely guilt free.

As found in Barefoot Contessa’s Make it Ahead:

1 Large bunch of flat-leaf kale

Good olive oil

Course salt

Plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 375°. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.

With a sharp knife, remove and discard the hard rib from the center of each leaf, leaving the leaves. Place them on the sheet pans, drizzle or brush them with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and bake for about 10 minutes, until crispy. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake for another 5-7 minutes. Cool and serve.

  • I like to brush them with the oil for even coverage. And yes, baking kale gives off a peculiar aroma (like many leafy greens and broccoli.)