Poached Egg Crostone With Wilted Spinach And Bacon Recipes

POACHED EGGS, WILTED SPINACH AND PULLMAN LOAF TOAST WITH BACON, ONION AND TOMATO JAM

Steps:

• For the bacon, onion and tomato jam: Toss the bacon into a large saute pan with a few drops of olive oil and the crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the pan to medium heat and cook the bacon until brown and crispy, 6 to 7 minutes. Spoon out 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat from the pan and reserve. Add the onions and tomatoes and season with salt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes and onions are soft and very aromatic, 12 to 15 minutes. Taste and reseason if needed. Stir in the oregano. Keep warm until ready to serve.
• For the toast and wilted spinach: Preheat a cast-iron griddle pan over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the butter and melt. Once melted, add the Pullman rounds and toast on both sides until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Once toasted, remove from the pan and carefully rub each piece with the garlic cloves. Set aside on plates.
• Add the reserved bacon fat to a large saute pan and preheat over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the spinach and salt and stir until wilted. Drain and discard any excess water. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Top the bread with the spinach just before serving.
• For the poached eggs: Fill a medium saucepan two-thirds of the way with water. Add the vinegar and bring to boil (BTB). Reduce the heat until no bubbles break the surface of the water¿the idea is to create an egg Jacuzzi, a very gentle cooking method.
• Crack the eggs into the poaching liquid and cook for 4 minutes. When done, the whites will be cooked through and the yolks will be warm and runny.
• Remove the eggs from the poaching liquid and blot on a paper towel before putting on the wilted spinach and toast. Top with the bacon jam and garnish with fresh oregano.
• Serve with a pitcher of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.

POACHED EGGS WITH CANADIAN BACON AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat; add 2 teaspoons of the olive oil. Cook the Canadian bacon in the hot oil until brown and a little crispy, about 2 minutes per side. Set aside and tent with foil to keep warm. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil and shallots to pan, and cook until they brown and soften, about 3 minutes. Add the spinach with whatever water clings to the leaves, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Raise the heat to high, stir the spinach, incorporating any browned bits from the bottom of the pan; cover and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, fill a nonstick skillet with about 2 inches of water and bring it to the barest simmer over medium heat; add the vinegar. Crack the eggs, slipping them gently into the water, and cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, gently scoop the eggs from the water, blot dry with a paper towel.
• Divide the bacon between 4 plates, top with spinach and then with the poached eggs.

POACHED EGG CROSTONE WITH WILTED SPINACH AND BACON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine 1 cup olive oil and next 3 ingredients in small saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat 2 minutes to release flavors. Remove from heat. Season mixture with salt and pepper.
• Using large serrated knife, trim off crust from top and sides of bread, leaving bottom crust intact to form rectangle-shaped loaf. Quarter trimmed loaf crosswise, forming 4 thick rectangular pieces. Cut deep nest in 1 piece, leaving 1/2-inch border on all 4 sides and 3/4-inch-thick base. Pull out bread center. Repeat with remaining bread pieces; reserve centers for another use. Place hollowed-out bread pieces on small baking sheet. Brush bread all over with olive oil mixture. Bake until bread is golden brown, about 7 minutes. Cool bread; maintain oven temperature.
• Cook bacon in large skillet until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add shallot and sauté 2 minutes. Add spinach and stir until just wilted. Fill 12-inch-diameter skillet with water to within 1/2 inch of top. Add vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Break 1 egg into small custard cup, being careful to keep yolk intact. Gently slide egg into boiling water; repeat with remaining eggs. Simmer until eggs are softly cooked, about 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, fill each bread hollow with spinach; top with bacon, breaking bacon slices in half to fit. Place in oven until heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Place 1 bread on each of 4 plates. Using slotted spoon, place 1 poached egg atop each. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Top with Parmesan; serve immediately.