Brunch for 4: Herbed-Baked Eggs

I made this delicious egg dish today for brunch. Baked eggs allow for such an elegant presentation and appear far more complicated than they actually are. It really isn’t much more than throwing some eggs and other ingredients in gratin dishes. This recipe was flavored with some fresh herbs, garlic, and parmesan cheese.

The one tricky thing about baked eggs is the timing — I need to work on it. I initially didn’t cook the eggs long enough and then I may have over cooked one or two of the dishes — the yolks weren’t as runny as I would like.

We served the baked eggs with some freshly sliced slab bacon from Rubiner’s Cheesemongers & Grocers in Great Barrington. What a delicious start to a rainy Sunday!

Herbed-Baked Eggs
Barefoot Contessa

* 1/4 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
* 1/4 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
* 1/4 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
* 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
* 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan
* 6 extra-large eggs
* 2 tablespoons heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
* Toasted French bread or brioche, for serving

Preheat the broiler for 5 minutes and place the oven rack 6 inches below the heat.

Combine the garlic, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and Parmesan and set aside. Carefully crack 3 eggs into each of 2 small bowls or teacups (you won’t be baking them in these) without breaking the yolks. (It’s very important to have all the eggs ready to go before you start cooking.)

Place 2 individual gratin dishes on a baking sheet. Place 1 tablespoon of cream and 1/2 tablespoon of butter in each dish and place under the broiler for about 3 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Quickly, but carefully, pour 3 eggs into each gratin dish and sprinkle evenly with the herb mixture, then sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Place back under the broiler for 5 to 6 minutes, until the whites of the eggs are almost cooked. (Rotate the baking sheet once if they aren’t cooking evenly.) The eggs will continue to cook after you take them out of the oven. Allow to set for 60 seconds and serve hot with toasted bread.