Egg in the basket is a dish that is most commonly eaten for breakfast. It consists of two main ingredients, eggs inside of bread. Some people may be familiar with its other names, which include toad in a hole and eggs in a nest. The dish may be served alone or accompanied by other items such as bacon, corned beef hash, or fruit. Although it may be found on the menu in some restaurants, preparation of egg in the basket is simple enough that this dish can easily be prepared at home.
One of the first items that a person needs if she is wants to make eggs in a basket is bread. The best style is usually sliced sandwich bread. Whether it is white, wheat, or another variety does not usually affect the outcome. The second item that a person needs is eggs. The type or size of eggs does not really matter.
An egg in the basket is a dish that consists of an egg cooked in a hole that is deliberately made in a piece of bread. The hole is usually made in the center of the bread, but it does not have to be. A number of items can be used to make the hole, including cookie cutters and shot glasses. Some recipes instruct individuals to make a circle, but making other shapes can provide a creative twist.
Some type of oil is generally required to prepare this dish. Many recipes call for butter, but this is not mandatory. Health-conscious individuals may use olive oil or other alternatives without jeopardizing the outcome of the dish. The oil is used to fry the bread on both sides first.
Once the bread is golden, the egg should be dropped into the hole and cooked. If an individual wants the egg to be sunny side up, she should cook only one side. An individual who wants her egg completely cooked should flip the egg and bread over. Otherwise, there is a possibility that a portion of the yolk will remain raw.
One item that can drastically alter the outcome of egg in the basket is the skillet that a person uses. She should select one that has a very good non-stick surface. If not, it is likely that the oil will need to be added to the pan more than once or will need to be sprayed several times.