Ham and Egg Bakes

Drop an egg into a skillet with butter and you get, well, a fried egg. But slip that same egg into a buttered ramekin and let it cook gently in the oven, and you get something entirely different: a soft, spoonable custard that’s so much fun to eat.

Add some ham, a spoonful of tomatoes, and a side of toast, and this makes a perfect breakfast!

Baked eggs and ham is not from Dr. Seuss, though they’re cute enough to have been!

Dip your spoon into the soft yolk of the egg and after a few bites, you’ll find the ham in the bottom of the dish. It adds a smoky note, underscored by fire-roasted canned tomatoes.

Before you bake the eggs, add a teaspoon of cream on top of each egg. This creates a creamy blanket to help keep the yolks runny. I’ve also sometimes added a very thin slice of fresh goat cheese or a light sprinkle of grated cheese instead of the cream.

Set the dishes in a roasting pan and pour boiling water into the pan so the ramekins are nestled in a hot bath. This water bath helps the eggs cook more evenly and gently in the heat of the oven. The eggs are done when they’re set on top but still jiggle a little.

Eggs are the great chameleons in the kitchen. They change with the tiniest flourish. Hey, you can even tint them green! Then they’ll be right at home with Dr. Seuss.

Ham and Egg Bakes Recipe

This recipe can be easily scaled up or down depending on how many people you are serving. You can even just make one ramekin at a time.

If you don't have ramekins, widemouth half-pint canning jars will also work.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter (28 g), at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 3/4 cup (205 g) canned diced fire-roasted or plain tomatoes, with juices
• 1 cup (150 g) chopped or shredded ham
• 1/4 teaspoon (1 1/4 g) salt, and a few more pinches
• 1/4 teaspoon ground (1 1/4 g) pepper, and a few more pinches
• 6 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons (29 ml) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 6 slices white or whole-wheat bread

Special equipment:

• 6 ramekins or custard cups (each 1/2 cup, 125 ml capacity)
• Roasting pan or other baking dish large enough to hold all the cups.

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