One of Those Weeks
Well, I'm sitting here indian, I mean, criss-cross-applesauce style, at the office, on a Sunday, washing my clothes. Yep, that's really happening. I woke up this morning, anxious to wash all the past several week's worth of clothes only to find 1. the washers in my basement weren't draining and 2. the money machine was broken and I had insufficient funds. For those of you who have the luxury of a washer and dryer in you unit/home, think back to the ol' days when you had to use a community washer. Remember how it was either always full or always broken? Well, I still live that life. I'm sure you're wondering why I have weeks worth of clothing to wash, don't you just wash it every week? My response, "As if!" I've had a lot of things going on, trips, guests, hospital visits, etc. Life has been a little crazy and it has really been quite the week, and this was just the cherry on top of the messy hot fudge sundae, but as my dad reminded me, "beggars can't be choosers." He's right you know, I've got a pretty great life. I have amazing friends, a loving family, an adorable apartment, and great food. Did I just say great food? Yes, yes I did, see what I did there, of course it's time to talk about the food.
Honestly, with as busy as I've been, this recipe truly has become my go-to breakfast, lunch or dinner. I first saw this concept one night when I was up late watching Nigella. Of course I'm one of those people who stays up late watching cooking shows when they can't sleep, would you expect anything else? Nigella is a great cooking show to watch late-night, her voice is so soothing, the photography has a very sensual-yet-acceptable feel to it, and the music is so relaxing. Can you tell I'm totally a Nigella fan? I can't wait to make her lamb and quick pickle onions. Stay tuned... I'll let you know how it turns out. Anyways, enough about my girl-crush, back to the food. Nigella calls this recipe "Eggs in Purgatory" so I guess that's what I'm going to call my version too.
This meal is basically red sauce, eggs, cheese, and a carb of some sort to use as your utensil. That's another perk of this dinner, just eat it right out of the pan, no dishes no utensils, could it be any easier? The first time I made this (and when I'm so tired from work I can't even think about cooking and I just want to order in) I used some store-bought pasta sauce. I've found a brand that I really like and it honestly tastes homemade. However, when I'm feeling culinarily inclined, I like to make the sauce from scratch. I normally have great crusty bread in my pantry, but sometimes I like to make fresh focaccia bread. I really love focaccia with this dish because it soaks up the runny egg and red sauce so well, but it keeps it's sturdiness and won't break down on you mid bite.
Have I enticed you enough? Whose going to give this recipe a try this week?
Eggs in Purgatory & Homemade Focaccia Bread
Let's start with the focaccia bread...
Next, the sauce. If you're going to use store bought sauce just skip down to the next section.
Next, you want to get the cheese melting, don't forget to save some spots for your eggs.
Finally, crack your eggs into the boiling sauce and then cover allowing them to cook, but don't let them cook too long, you want the yellows still runny.
Serve with some fresh focaccia and pretend you're spending the evening (or morning) in Italy.
Hope you enjoy!
EGGS IN PURGATORY
INGREDIENTS
3-4 cloves garlic crushed
1/2 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
2-4 large eggs
4 large slices fresh mozzarella
salt
basil
INSTRUCTIONS
heat olive oil in a pan on medium heat
add garlic, cook for 1 minute
add red pepper flakes, cook for 30 seconds
add tomatoes and bring to a boil
give it a taste and add salt as necessary
place slices of mozzarella around the outside edge, turn up the heat
once the cheese starts melting, and the sauce is boiling add the eggs
cover and cook until the whites are cook through but the yellow is still runny
top with salt and fresh cracked pepper and serve with fresh crusty bread or focaccia bread (recipe to follow)
*Adapted from Nigella
FOCACCIA BREAD
INGREDIENTS
1 1/3 cup warm water
1 yeast package
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for bowl and baking
3 1/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon salt
course sea salt
fresh rosemary
INSTRUCTIONS
mix together the warm water and yeast
add olive oil, let sit for 10 minutes
combine salt and flour
mix together wet and dry ingredients and work into a ball, keep kneading the dough until it's smooth and bounces back
place the dough in an oiled bowl, I like to rub the oil on the outside of the dough so it doesn't dry out
once it's doubled, about an hour or so, remove from the bowl and flatten onto a parchment lined baking sheet
make little dimples in the dough, drizzle with olive oil, cover with salt and fresh rosemary
bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for about 25 minutes