For Christmas, one of the things my mom asked for was a post on “Grandpa Jack‘s Eggs.” When I read her request, I was immediately reminded of mornings when my mom would ask, “What do you want for breakfast?” and my sister and I would cry out enthusiastically, GRANDPA JACK’S EGGS! (my mom almost always let us choose our meals, which in hindsight I truly appreciate and I definitely think it’s a contributing factor to me constantly trying to control where my friends and I eat if we go out).
Grandpa Jack’s Eggs are a variation on soft-boiled eggs with toast. Actually, that’s exactly what the dish is, but with a small twist: they’re mixed together (usually the toast is cut into strips and dipped into the soft-boiled egg yolk). Trust me, you’re going to want to make this. Not only is it super fast, incredibly easy, and cheap, it’s also delicious. Sometimes the simplest dish is just perfect. Making and eating this classic Shaindlin dish after literally years, and thinking about my grandpa and my parents while doing it, really brought a smile to my face, which I suspect is part of the reason my mom requested it. They’re sneaky, those moms! It was almost as much of a gift to me as to her, so thanks Mom. And without further ado, Merry Christmas!
Grandpa Jack’s Eggs
Serves one
Ingredients:
- 2 slices whole-wheat toast
- 2 eggs
- salt & pepper
Instructions:
1. Toast the bread (this can be done in a toaster, a toaster over, or in my case, on the stove).
2. Bring a pot of water to a rapid simmer and gently lower the eggs into the water.
3. Let the egg cook for about 5 minutes.
4. While the eggs cook, tear the toast into bite-sized pieces into the serving dish (I don’t know why, but we always used to eat our GJE’s in metal bowls, so that’s what I did this time too).
5. Drain the eggs and run them under cold tap water for 30-60 seconds.
6. One at a time, crack the eggs slightly, and carefully begin to peel off the shell. Let the yolk spill over the toast pieces. Using a spoon, scoop out the egg whites (and residual yolk) in bite-size pieces.
7. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and gently mix the eggs and toast together.
8. Enjoy!
Tagged: Astoria, bread, breakfast, Christmas, cooking, eggs, family, holiday, Jack Shaindlin, New York, recipe, soft-boiled eggs, Susan Shaindlin, toast, traditions, vegetarian
