Crispy eggs. And everything else.
We’re in the midst of packing Miss Chelsea’s car for its long journey ahead.
Her VW will board a moving truck tomorrow, take a week to make its way across the dusty winding roads of America, and like its owner, show up ready to soak up the California sun.
Thankfully, Dom, Chels, and I, will board an aircraft, take 6 hours to make our way across the baby blue skies of America, and show up ready to help the rooting begin.
As is customary for big moves, Chelsea’s final week home has been met with many arrivedercis. Friends and family have made their way to say good-bye and wish her well, sometimes more than once. Her two best pals even figured out how to wiggle in a third goodbye. During one of her goodbyes, as Chels was getting ready to meet Meg and Danielle for a goodbye lunch (to soon be followed by a goodbye HS marching band practice viewing, for old-times sake) I made myself a crispy egg.
I’d like to tell you that this dish met my expectation of taking my mind off all the goodbyes.
It did not.
But I got a nice meal out of it. And hey, if I gotta eat, why not eat something that looks like a chip?
What you’re seeing here is the bottom of a crispy egg. What’s prettier than that?
And what’s better than a crispy runny egg set atop perfectly wilted baby spinach neatly tucked into a ring of hot tomato oil?
Oh yes – a dash of fresh gremolata. That’s what’s better.
It’s in the layering of flavors and accumulation of textures that makes this dish a winner.
There’s a very good chance it’ll be making its way to the table a few more times in the next couple days. Yep, I see it happening. (Tonight’s the marching band goodbye…)
It’s very simple really, as long as you pay close attention when your pan gets blazing hot. Once your tomato oil and gremolata are prepped and ready, you’ll take two minutes to wilt the greens in a splash of olive oil dotted with minced garlic. Once the greens are perfectly wilted and the color of emeralds, remove from the pan and set aside. Pour another tiny splash of olive oil – get your pan screaming hot – add the egg and watch the fireworks begin. There’ll be more sounds coming from that pan than from the sky on the 4th of July. Don’t be afraid to let the egg go until you see the edges curl up and take the shape and color of your favorite kettle chip. Once finished, rest the egg on the greens. Drizzle tomato oil around the plate. Sprinkle gremolata over top. Butter a piece of crusty bread. Pour yourself a cup of joe. And call it comfort.
With only a few more days at home, we’ll be leaving this weekend by way of Boston (Hey, Luc!), I’ll be taking a short break from Ciao Chow to focus on my chiclets and all the nesting that is about to ensue.
Good luck to everyone whose children are beginning pre-school, beginning kindergarten, beginning college, beginning careers away from home. And although these crispy eggs won’t do anything to lessen the sting of goodbye…
…eat them anyway.
Buon Appetito!
Print
Wilted Greens & Crispy Eggs with Gremolata and Hot Tomato Oil
- Category: Brunch
Ingredients
- Hot Tomato Oil
- ½ cup olive oil
- 5 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
- 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp. salt
- 3 tsp. sugar
- 1 Tbsp. Sriracha
- 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
- Gremolata
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/3 cup finely chopped parsley
- Wilted Greens
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 large bunch baby spinach (5 oz.)
- Crispy Egg
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 extra large egg
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- When making the hot tomato oil, place olive oil and sliced garlic in a large pan over medium heat.
- Cook the garlic until it just begins to brown.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, Sriracha and red pepper flakes.
- Bring to a boil then lower the heat and let simmer for 30 minutes or longer, enough time to let the flavors meld.
- Stir continuously. When finished, remove from heat and set aside.
- For the gremolata, zest the lemon into a small bowl and mince one clove of garlic.
- Add garlic and parsley into bowl with the zest. Set aside.
- For the greens, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until just golden.
- Add cleaned spinach to the pan.
- Using tongs, toss until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Remove from pan and keep warm.
- To the same pan, add 1 Tbsp. olive oil.
- When pan is piping hot, add egg.
- Cook until bottom is browned and crunchy looking.
- Place wilted greens in center of a plate.
- Top with egg.
- Drizzle tomato oil around the greens and sprinkle egg with gremolata.
- Serve.
Ciao!
Good luck to your daughter and hope she gets settled in nicely. I can only imagine how it must be such a bittersweet time for you, sending you hugs your way xo This dish looks beyond amazing! Love the crispy eggs!
Thank you, Kelly! I hope your little guy’s first day went splendidly! xo
This looks delicious!
Thanks, friend!
Good luck getting everyone settled! And yes, that crispy egg is gorgeous. I had no idea that could even happen!
Thank you, Mir! I appreciate you stopping by with a kind word! 🙂
Wishing your daughter all the luck in this world Annie!! and big hug to you! xoxo
Thanks so much, dear! xoxo
Annie, this sounds like a perfect brunch to me! Specially loving the touch of tomato oil! I have to try this soon! pinning for now 🙂
Why thank you, Savita. I appreciate that! 🙂
Now it’s up to them to put into practice all you’ve shown them and from what I’ve read, you’re a pretty good example. Like this egg! Wow, I need this and those colors, wow! Love the crispy aspect, the gooey yolk and that gremolata tops it perfectly. 🙂
Awh! Thank you, friend. I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
Good luck Chelsea! Sounds like an exciting weekend ahead 🙂 Love this dish, pinned to try it!
Big week ahead! We’re excited! Thank you, dear! 🙂
This looks so mouthwatering!!! Yum. Yum. Pinned :).
Thank you, dear! 🙂
This is like a breakfast fit for a king… or me!! Love all those layers and flavors… YUM!
Definitely fit for you! Thanks, friend! 🙂
I love this, Annie… I know I can always find a little Sirriacha and comfort here. That crispy egg? I’m done! Thank you for that. About Chels; what a bitter sweet time for you two, for your family. Missing her presence, the space she occupies, her presence, beautiful face, yet at the same time knowing she’s experiencing new, rich things, and delving into exciting and uncharted territory. Change.. the proverbial change is always just around every corner. Wishing you a fun filled cross country trip, a smooth transition and peace. Hugs to you my dear.
Oh yes, yes, yes, yes to every bit of your words. Thank you for your thoughtful response, my friend. I always appreciate it. Hugs to you. 🙂
Girl, I’m feeling emotional about this post. Been there done that! I miss my baby. That’s all.
And that’s really all. <3
THIS sounds like a winner. Yum. I am so happy to find a gremolata that doesn’t require those canned breadcrumbs. Best wishes to your daughter. And to you in your transition to the long-distance mothering. Cheers! Still wanting to catch up with you over lunch. Maybe end of September.
Thank you so much, my friend. I am looking forward to our lunch! 🙂
Annie this is a beautiful meal. A winning of a dish to soothe you a bit. Love crispy eggs.
I can only imagine how you must feel but she is a phone call and facetime away.
Big tight hugs.
xx
Thank goodness for cell phones and facetime! How did our parents live easily without it? Thanks for stopping by, my friend. 🙂
This is totally my kind of meal. Tomatoes and eggs taste wonderful together but that crispy egg is just calling my name! Goodbyes are always tough, but probably made easier by delicious food to eat together 🙂 Beautiful photos!!
A good meal always sets a beautiful tone, doesn’t it?! Thanks, my friend!
Wishing your daughter all the best on this new and exciting chapter of her life – I’m sure you will miss her dearly but know that she it about to start a wonderful journey. She will only be a phone call away! Love this dish, Annie – it’s the kind of meal that you could eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Pretty pictures – as always.
Thanks, dear! We are so excited for Chels… She’s worked very hard to make this happen and we couldn’t be any more excited for her! And about this dish – you got that right – breakfast, lunch or dinner! 🙂
So unique and delicious! That egg is stunning and the hot tomato oil sounds FAB 🙂 Pinning!
LOVE the hot tomato oil! Thanks, lady! 🙂
Aw, Annie.. my heart breaks a little for you, because I know how close you are to your children! But, now you get to watch them take everything you have taught them and start their lives as adults… I can imagine that being very rewarding! But, you also have these crispy egg topped bowls of deliciousness to help ease the pain a little.. or at least make you happily full! I am loving everything about this dish! ALL those divine flavors and textures – I NEED to make this immediately! Plus this is seriously gorgeous, which is always an added bonus! Pinned! Travel safely and enjoy the time with your loved ones! Cheers, pretty lady!
You hit the nail on the head – though the little knot in my throat always shows up for days like this – they are also the most rewarding kinds of days for a parent. Thanks for your kind words, my friend! Have a lovely weekend!
What a hearty delicious meal, Annie! I’m on my way to say good bye as well! If you make your famous pasta and ice cream, I would likely say my second and third good buys too:)
Awhhh! What a sweet thing to say! Should we ever meet in person let’s say good bye to the tune of YOUR lavender ice cream and my pasta! Sounds like a good plan to me! 🙂
Hopefully these crispy eggs will help just a tiny bit with movie your daughter, Annie! Crispy eggs are my favorite! My Grandma used to make them every once in a while. This sounds delicious!
Thank you, Gayle…I appreciate that. 🙂