Caprese Baked Eggs

So, I have this gratin dish. I received it from my paternal grandmother who passed away last year. It’s small, white, nothing fancy. But I have this affinity for it. I’m probably the only person on earth with a love for a dish. I want to use it for everything: gratins (duh), baked veggie dishes, baked chicken, salad (not a smart move, everything fell out the sides)…you name it, I’ve tried to use this dish to serve it. My favorite meal to serve in it is baked eggs. It’s perfect for serving two people, and for reasons unbeknownst to me, I find it ridiculously gourmet-looking. I don’t know…call me crazy, but it’s just something about this dish.

Caprese Baked Eggs

Serves 2

 

4 Eggs

4 Tbsp Half and half

1 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese

1 Tbsp Mozzarella Cheese

Small handful of cherry tomatoes, halved

Spring of basil for garnish

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Butter or cooking spray

 

Butter the baking dish

Gently crack the eggs into the dish, being careful not to break the yolks

Add the half and half, cheeses, and tomatoes

Bake at 400 degrees for ten minutes (more or less depending on how done you like your eggs)

Top with sprig of basil

Surprise your sweetie with breakfast in bed with this, skillet potatoes, and mimosas!

 

Pear and Brie Grilled Cheese

Yesterday was National Grilled Cheese Day. In honor of this momentous occasion, I put a spin on the classic grilled cheese sandwich.

My fiancée loves brie, so imagine his excitement when I told him what was for dinner. And wouldn’t you know it, he had a suggestion that made these sandwiches a bazillion times fancier and tastier (yes, a bazillion). He suggested adding caramelized onions. Well, um, yes! Don’t mind if I do!

Another variation would be to leave off the onions and Dijon mustard and add raspberry preserves instead. Holy wow, that would be good!

 

 

Pear and Brie Grilled Cheese

Makes 4 sandwiches

 

8 slices of your favorite bread

2 pears (a pair of pears, if you will)

1 wheel Brie

About 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (more or less, to taste)

1 onion, sliced

2-3 Tablespoons butter

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

 

Begin by heating oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat in a cast iron skillet

Add onions and cook until browned, remove from heat and set aside

Spread mustard on one side of each sandwich

Slice brie and arrange on top of mustard

Thinly slice pear and arrange on top of brie

Add caramelized onions and place other piece of bread on top

Reheat skillet over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter, and place sandwiches in skillet.

Cook until that side is golden brown, flip, and cook on other side (adding more butter as necessary) until golden brown and brie melts.