The Italian breakfast, Eggs in Purgatory, where eggs are poached in a spicy and herbaceous tomato sauce, can be ready and on the table in less than 30 minutes!
This dish brings together a few of my gastronomic loves.
Spicy tomato sauce.
Silky eggs.
Italian toast.
Strong coffee.
Good company.
I don’t know about you but I am easily inspired to drop whatever I am doing and head straight to the kitchen when the aroma of homemade sauce wafts over me. And when meals as rustic and comforting as Eggs in Purgatory are on the menu, I am destined to make my way to the table for a taste.
What could be better than dipping a piece or two of toasted Italian bread straight into the pan, finishing a cup or two of strong black coffee and discussing the matters of the day with people we love?
When I made this for lunch the other day, Luc and I didn’t even get plates. We saddled up to the table – forks, toast, and napkins in hand, and dug in.
It was a wonderful meal, if I do say so myself.
A simple sauce made of:
- crushed tomatoes
- minced garlic
- chopped flat-leaf parsley
- dried herbs
- olive oil
- red pepper flakes
…designed to cradle a couple of eggs… Mmmhhmmm, it’s a thing of beauty. <—— I say that a lot, don’t I?
Once the sauce is ready, simply crack in your eggs, cover the pan partially and poach for about five minutes until the whites are cooked and the yolk still soft. In the meantime, toast your bread. Top the finished dish with a drizzle more of olive oil (I used cayenne) chopped parsley, cracked black pepper and Parmesan cheese.
This meal makes for a perfect hot and spicy breakfast, brunch, light dinner or late night snack.
It is no mistake, my friends, that I am sharing Eggs in Purgatory the day before Valentine’s Day.
Buon Appetito!
Print
Eggs in Purgatory
- Category: Breakfast
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil, divided (I used Cayenne Olive Oil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley, divided
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp. dried basil
- 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 14 oz. crushed tomatoes
- 2 – 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan
- salt & pepper to taste
- 4 slices Italian toast
Instructions
- Heat a small to medium sized skillet over medium heat. Add 1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil and let warm.
- Add garlic, 1/4 cup parsley, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes.
- Cook and stir for about two minutes until garlic just begins to turn golden.
- Slowly add tomatoes and stir to combine.
- Lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 7 minutes.
- Taste and add more red pepper flakes if needed.
- Make a small well for each egg that you’re adding to the sauce.
- Crack them in.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan.
- Cover the pan partially.
- Let the eggs cook for about 5 minutes, or until the whites are set but the yolk still loose.
- In the meantime, make your toast.
- Remove pan from heat and drizzle with a little extra olive oil, black pepper, cheese and remaining chopped parsley.
- Eat with toasted bread.
CIAO!
I like everything you like Annie! Need to make this for Sunday brunch tomorrow or for a meatless Monday dinner or both. lol 😉
Both! My vote is both! Thanks, dear! 🙂
I have never had eggs in purgatory, but it has been on my “to make” list a long time! Thanks for reminding me to move it to the top. Can’t wait to try 🙂
It’s the definition of comfort! Enjoy!! 🙂
Why have I never had eggs in tomato sauce? I need to change that ASAP because yours look so pretty and delicious! I totally want to dive into that pan!
Luckily it’s not too late! Thanks, friend!!
Wow Annie, these eggs look amazing! I love the sound of the sauce. So flavoursome and delicious. I definitely need to make this for myself over the weekend. Delicious! <3
You’ll love the sauce! So simple and delicious! Thanks, my friend! Enjoy!
that looks GOOD!! love the pictures Annie 🙂
Thank you, Manali!!
Well, I hope you don’t mind but I’m thinking of trying this out for dinner. I mean, it’s Valentines Day and no one’s coming to my rescue with a dinner invitation out this year. And I happen to have all the oingredients. And it looks so Valentiney. I was actually thinking of doing a pasta for my dinner earlier as I’m craving a tomato sauce. So – thanks for the inspiration. I’ll consider this a Valentine from a friend. Cheers!
You absolutely can! There are no rules, my friend! Happy Valentine’s Day! Cheers! <3
This looks like a great way to start the day! There’s nothing better than dipping a great piece of crusty bread into fried eggs. It’s one of the simple pleasures in life!
The simple pleasures are where it’s at! Thanks, Kathy!
Wow, I am drooling over your ingredient photo, and admiring those power forward ingredients. Eggs in purgatory sound perfect for the rainy weekend we are expecting here in Los Angeles.
Thanks, Cindy! This is ideal for those chilly rainy days! 🙂
I have always wanted to make something like this – however I doubt it will look anything as amazing as this deliciousness!
It’s quite easy, Gigi! Try it, you’ll love it! 🙂
This looks divine and I love the spice! How cool you and Luc just ate right out of the pan. Those are some of the best meals 🙂 . Take care!
It was a fun lunch! Thanks, friend!
I love this! So simple but still so elegant :)! And anything I can dip bread in is a winner in my book. . .
Then this is a winner! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Lol. When a meal is made in a skillet I firmly believe plates are over-rated. I always just grab a shovel (or at least the biggest spoon I can find) and dive right in. I have zero manners, what can I say. 😉 My dad always said you could dress me up, but you can’t take me out. hahaha. NO SHAME. I LOVE eggs in purgatory and yours looks just MARVELOUS, Annie!! If this was in front of me I’d be doing a face plant right into that skillet! Those silky eggs! That spicy sauce! DROOLING! Pinned! Cheers, friend!
p.s. I hope you and the hubs have a wonderful Valentine’s day! xoxo
I like the way you operate! Plates are definitely over-rated when cast iron is involved! I’d be happy to make you your own, my friend, and let the face plant commence! I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, too!! xoxo
What a beauty! We love eggs in purgatory, not for breakfast, but as a lunch or even dinner option. Yours look amazing, make me want to dig right in that sauce with a piece of rustic bread! Yum!
Thanks, Nicoletta! Rustic cooking (and eating) is my favorite! 🙂
I have seen this recipe before Annie, but I’ve never tried it. My husband Tom would probably go nuts for it. Would be a great dish for us for dinner too! Can’t wait to try. Happy Monday!
It certainly would! Dom missed out on lunch the other day so has asked for it for dinner one night this week! Enjoy, my friend! 🙂
I can’t believe I’ve never made this, it looks so good! I am putting it on my meal planning list for this week. Thanks for showing me so many fancy Italian dishes!
Wonderful! I think you’ll love it, Karen!! Thanks, dear!
Oh, Yes!! I can just taste this. Sounds delicious and the bread your provide as scarpette is simply ideal. We love spicy and the cayenne oil would kick up the zing!! Making it this weekend. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!
I used rosemary olive oil Italian bread and boy was that good! Yes…enjoy, this weekend! Happy Valentine’s Day!!
YES!!!! Love it! Definitely one of my favourite things and the spicier the better! I agree – no plates necessary 😉 I would so love to have this in front of me right now and your pictures are GORGEOUS, Annie! Pinned, of course. Happy Monday, my friend! XO
Yep! I am with you!! That’s why I used red pepper flakes and cayenne oil – the spicier the better! So happy you like, my friend! Thank you! XO
It’s been such a long time since I’ve had eggs in purgatory (and I still giggle over the name every time I hear it). I love this easy dish, and how pretty it is, too! And “cradling eggs” is a perfect way to describe it. What a delicious breakfast or dinner!
It does have a perfect name! 🙂 Breakfast, lunch, dinner – this dish is so flexible!! Thanks, Gayle!
Annie! I would love to have those eggs for breakfast like now!! Beautiful!
This is a special meal! Thanks, friend!