If you've been out and about the blogsphere recently one thing is pretty clear - this week has pretty much been about eggs.
Which isn't surprising since eggs are synonymous with Easter - candies are shaped like them, we fill little plastic ones with said egg shaped candy and we hide them for children to hunt... and happily pilfer a few when the kids are looking ... right?
So I'm sure it's no surprise that my recipe today features.... eggs!
But not just "any" eggs. A couple of weeks ago we had a little blogger get together and Kim from Rustic Garden Bistro brought each of us a cute little bag of gorgeous eggs from "her girls". Looking at them I knew that I just had to come up with something special to make with them.
Honestly, aren't they beautiful??
I was also thinking about what would be a great Easter morning dish. I wanted something that was a little different from the usual scramble or poach .. and I also wanted it to be easy. A few years ago I saw a dish that was like a shirred egg except that the whites were beaten and rose up like a souffle with the yolk perched in the center . I thought they were beautiful and scribbled down a description in my notebook. This was the perfect opportunity to try them and see what I thought.
It took a couple of tries to work out the finer points - and they were "eggxactly" (sorry, couldn't resist!) what I was hoping for.
Looking for some ideas for things to go with these eggs? Here is a great Easter/ Spring Brunch Menu!!
Happy Spring Everyone!!!
Citrus Salad with Mint Gremolata
Eggs In Nests
Brown Butter and Cardamon Coffee Cake
Bacon/sausage
Sparking wine/Orange Juice/Coffee/ Tea
📖Recipe
Eggs in Nests
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- salt and pepper
- ¼ tsp. cream of tartar
- ¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ cup finely shredded gruyere or parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp. milk or heavy cream
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
- ½ cup diced seeded tomatoes
- ½ cup diced canned artichoke hearts
Instructions
- Pre heat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray 4 small ½ cup ramekins with cooking spray. Set aside. In a small bowl combine the thyme, artichoke hearts, tomatoes and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Divide mixture among the ramekins. Fill a small bowl with cold water. Separate the eggs, placing the yolks in the bowl of cold water. In the bowl of an electic mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. , add the egg whites, salt, pepper and the cream of tartar. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form - about 5 to 7 minutes. Slowly beat in the cheese.
- Mound the whipped egg whites into the four ramekins (the egg whites will be higher than the edge of the ramekin. Using a small spoon, make an indentation in the top of the egg whites to hold the egg yolk. Using your fingers, gently remove each egg yolk and place in the indentation. Drizzle a little milk or cream over the egg yolk and season with salt and pepper. Place the ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until whites are golden and egg yolk is barely set. Serve immediately!
- Although you can't bake the eggs ahead of time, you can separate the eggs, cover, and refrigerate the day before as well as assembling the vegetables the day before - just cover and refrigerate.
Nutrition
Julia says
You're right, Easter = eggs. Well, not quite, but in the blogging world it totally does. I might have to rethink my Easter breakfast and make these, they look so great, and healthy. Because I'm going to need something healthy to compensate for all the candy I may or may not eat that day.
Allison [Girl's Guide to Social Media] says
I had pancakes planned for Easter breakfast, so now it'll be pancakes with a side of eggs in nests! This looks fantastic.
Marla says
I can never have enough eggs and these look great Nancy! Happy Easter, have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Madonna says
Oh, I want to try these. These sound so good. I think this would even be good with a simple vinaigrette salad for a light dinner.
Nancy, I just made your flatbread again. I keep them frozen in the freezer and pop them in the toaster as needed. They accompany my Tuscan bean and tuna salad. I put a fried egg on them for breakfast. They make a healthy to-go sandwich. I have also made your semifreddo multiple times. So good. I am acquiring quiet a list on file under your name. Thanks for sharing.
the urban baker says
this is my kind of breakfast. I love eggs almost any old way! Love the photos, Nancy
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
What a beautiful way to serve eggs! Sort of a souffle, yet not a souffle. What a unique technique and one that I can't wait to try.
Lucy Lean says
Fancy Nancy and her souffles!!! I'm going to try these darling eggs in nests - there's a v old book from the 1800s that has a very similar recipe - I will try to look it out for you. Happy Easter xxx
Lori @ Lemons and Lavender says
Egg-celent Nancy! (I couldn't resist either.)
I think eggs are pretty much the perfect food - breakfast, lunch or dinner - so this recipe will definitely come in handy.
Happy Easter!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Such beautiful eggs and the perfect recipe to showcase them.
Lisa says
Hmm..I guess the 'comment' option on Triberr leaves the comment on Triberr! That said, thank you so much for your kind words and sweet thoughts. So needed and appreciated. Looks like he will need a triple bypass, but too weak for surgery now due to an infection from his diabetes. Very scary time.
That said..love the artichoke hearts in your eggs in nests. The 'heart' seems to be a recurring theme for me the past 2 weeks! Hope to make these soon 🙂
aida mollenkamp says
Love how adorable these delicate nests are, Nancy. I'd love to dive into one of those on Easter Sunday!
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
Missed seeing you all that day, but it's not every day you find the house you've been looking for! Egg-cellent dish 😉 Simple & elegant too. I love the souffle-like texture and since we just got back from HK today - a simple brunch dish is about all I'll be able to muster. Happy Easter!
Magic of Spice says
Lovely recipe and hope you had a Great Easter 🙂