Nest eggs
(Eggs in nests)
This recipe comes from combining two similar recipes. Carolyn once made for us a recipe she had seen on Queer Eyes for Straight Guys, for eggs baked in muffin tins lined with Black Forest ham. Some time later I saw The Hearty Boys do almost the same thing, but lining the muffin tins with egg-roll wrappers. My recipe makes a heartier brunch dish, baked in shells of spring-roll wrappers.
Large muffin tin
I've baked these in two different ways: in individual ramekins and in a giant muffin tin. The muffin tin works best by far.
- 1 pkg spring roll wrappers (usually 24 per pkg)
- 4 Tbsp butter, melted
- non-stick spray
- 1 large muffin tin OR 6 1-cup ramekins
Spray the insides of the muffin tin with non-stick spray.
Brush melted butter on one side of a wrapper.
Lay a second wrapper on top of the first wrapper, turning it a quarter-turn. There will now be 8 points sticking out.
Gently pick up the double-layer wrapper and center it over a muffin cup, then gently press the wrappers down into the cup. Take care that the wrappers fold evenly as they are pressed down. You may find it useful to spray the outside bottom of a glass with non-stick spray and use it as a plunger to help guide the wrappers into the cup.
Repeat until all the muffin cups are lined.
- 12 oz ham, cut in small dice
Cut the ham into small dice (about 1/4" square) and set aside.
- 12 oz mushrooms, finely chopped
- 2 scallions, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- ———
- 3 Tbsp lite sour cream or plain yogurt
- 2 tsp tarragon
Finely chop the mushrooms and scallions, by hand or in a food processor.
Saute in the butter or medium-high heat until tender and liquid from the mushrooms is evaporated, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream and tarragon.
Set aside.
Assembly
- Lined muffin tins
- Diced ham
- Mushroom mixture
- 6 eggs
- 12 narrow strips of brie or camembert (optional)
Divide the ham mixture evenly among the muffin cups.
Divide the mushroom mixture evenly among the muffin cups, spreading on top the diced ham.
Break an egg into each cup.
Top each egg with two strips of cheese, crossed. Instead of brie, the top can be sprinkled with parmesan cheese, or left plain.
Brush the exposed tips of wrapper with melted butter so they turn nice and brown.
Bake 15 min at 400°F. Remove from oven and let rest at least 5 minutes.
Carefully lift the nest out and put on a serving platter or individual plates.
Assembled, ready for baking
Serving sugggestion
The following illustrations show a technique for getting liners into ramekins. Frankly, it's a pain, and I prefer using the large muffin tin.
Draping the wrappers over a glass and lowering an inverted ramekin over it gets the wrappers into the ramekin without tearing.
Remove the glass and gently peel off the plastic.
Before baking.
After baking.
Plated.
Servings: 6
Credits: Adapted from Queer Eye for Straight Guys and Hearty Boys (FoodNetwork.com)