Lazy weekend brunch for one: baked eggs with ham, cheese and tomato
I wasn't lying about the lazy weekend 🙂
Hi everyone
The good news is that I’m back from my work trip, yay! How’s everyone been? Good I hope…!
I’ve got lots of catch-up reading and posting to do, and despite the dire conference food I’ve inevitably been subjected to, I did have some good tapas while I was in Barcelona, and I’m planning to replicate some of the best ones for thebigfatnoodle over the next few weeks.
However, you’re going to have to wait a teeny bit longer because I’ve designated this weekend as rest and recovery time. After a week of standing and running around, I’m going to completely veg out and do as little as humanly possible, which largely means not venturing very far from my bed, my husband, my books, my laptop, my cats and the TV. 🙂
Naturally though, a girl’s gotta eat (husband too), so I started my lazy weekend this morning with this lazy weekend brunch for one. Well, it initially started off as brunch for one because my husband had already eaten some toast for brekkie but after I made this for myself and fed him a bite, he made me make another one for him.
My lazy weekend brunch - baked eggs and a milky latte.
It is a spur-of-the-moment recipe based on the idea of many baked egg recipes I’ve had in restaurants or seen many other bloggers try with a number of different ingredients. I experimented with what I could find in our fridge today and the result is a baked egg with ham, cheese (parmesan and some cream cheese), tomatoes and… salad!
I know the salad bit sounds weird but trust me, it really does work. Other than spinach, I know a lot of people don’t cook with salad leaves and I don’t know why. My mum’s always cooked with salad leaves, especially different types of lettuce. She normally drops them into her soupy noodles but she’s stir fried lettuce leaves as well and they’re awesome.
A friend of mine makes a similar baked egg with wilted spinach and some cream with the egg, and you could pre-wilt/steam your salad leaves like she did, but in all honesty, I didn’t bother and it turned out just fine. Enjoy!
Baked eggs with ham, cheese and tomato (for one)
Roughly half a cup of wash and thoroughly dried salad leaves (eg baby spinach, rocket/arugula or baby cress)
2 large eggs (preferably at room temperature and not straight out of the fridge and cold)
1-2 cherry tomatoes, de-seeded and finely chopped
1 slice of cooked ham, finely chopped
1 tablespoon grated fresh parmesan
1 heaped tablespoon of cream cheese
You’ll also need a few drops of worcestershire sauce
salt & pepper to taste
Some chopped chives to garnish
(optional) 1-2 teaspoons of single cream.
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees (celsius).
In an oven proof bowl lightly coated/brushed with some butter, press your salad leaves down into the base of the bowl.
That really is salad in the base of my oven proof bowl.
Mix in your chopped tomatoes and ham, and top with half of your parmesan. Add a few generous drops of worcestershire sauce and a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Top with parmesan, ham and tomatoes along with a few drops of L&P.
Spoon your cream cheese over the top and try and spread this out over your ham, cheese and tomatoes. Crack your eggs over the top. Now, if you have some single cream to hand, you could drizzle this into the egg whites around the yolk but I didn’t have any to hand today. Finish this off by sprinkling the remaining cheese and chives over the top, and a final pinch of black pepper.
The eggs are poured over a spoonful of cream cheese, and then topped with chives and some more parmesan.
Pop this into the oven and bake for 12-15 or until the egg white has set but remains wobbly. Serve with a generous mug of tea/ coffee and if you fancy, some soldiers / buttered toast.
Et voila! My experiment for the day - baked eggs with ham, cheese, tomatoes and salad.
Anyway, I’ll leave you to enjoy the rest of your weekend. Meantime, I’m taking a leaf out of my cat’s book. Zzzzzzz. 🙂
Spike aka Fatso aka Fatlump 🙂
Lots of love
thebigfatnoodle
thebigfatnoodle 
I love baked eggs but I have never tried putting salad in them – yet!
Your cat looks like he enjoys sleeping 🙂
She definitely does, especially if she’s getting ear scratches at the same time! 🙂
Great pics as usual! I have been thinking about something like this for a while! Just shared on twitter and fb! 🙂
You are the best! 🙂
😉
Welcome home! I’ve never had anything even closely resembling your egg dish — although I did have a cat named Spike. 🙂 As I’m typing this, I’m wondering whether I’ve enough ingredients to make at least a reasonable facsimile of your “brekkie.” I’ll come up with something. Thanks for the inspiration.
You called your cat spike too? Awesome! 🙂
Spike is gorgeous, and the look on is face, I just know how he feels!
He’s a she but everyone gets it wrong. She does look like a male cat and it doesn’t help that we called her spike!
Love the idea of including the salad at the bottom – sounds delicious!
Glad the salad didn’t freak you out too 🙂
Looks beautiful! I love eggs en cocotte 🙂
Me too. My French friends introduced me to it last year 🙂
That looks delicious! Welcome back! Work trip to Barcelona……nice!
Thanks. It’s not that glamorous as I don’t get to see much of Barcelona beyond the conference centre!
Absolute yum to the egg dish…love it! And what a precious kitty and kitty snout!
Yes I can never get enough pictures of her big yellow nose 🙂
Apparently people (I guess meaning Britons, having read this in a history of British cooking) used to always cook their lettuce leaves, and one such recipe I’d been planning on trying (once I wrapped my brain around the concept) is lettuce and pea soup.
I think this might be slightly easier to cope with, so I’ll try this first. It looks like a great start to the day!
That sounds really interesting, I love wilted lettuce leaves, especially in Chinese soups. Can’t wait to see what you create.
Aaaaw, what a kitty!
Thanks. She’s one of 2 sisters we have. She’s awesome. They both are 🙂
hi darling, we are fine and I just HAVe to make this soon! perfect! c
Hi Celi, glad to be back!
Loving the last pic – ha:) Thanks for sharing and Have a Great Weekend!
Me too. I couldn’t help but put it in 🙂
Love all your mix-ins for your baked egg. Delicious!
Thanks, I’m really glad it turned out well.
You really have made this into a complete meal with the salad greens, cheese, tomatoes, etc.
I was a bit greedy putting 2 eggs into it but it was meant to be brunch 🙂
The end result looks almost souffle like. I hope your work trip went ok – I look forward to your return to regular posting :D. I adore your cat!
Thanks, he’s a she actually, and a total floozy. She’ll cosy up to anyone for an ear rub or back scratch 🙂
Welcome back. I can hear your kitty purring. So cute. This little individual egg dish is such a great idea! Take Care, BAM
Yes, everyone falls in love with her. She’s actually a bit of a tart, has no shame and cuddles up to anyone who’s happy to stroke her or provide heat. We also call her the heat seeker!
I have had baked eggs in restaurants as well and now I think it time to make some. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
This was a bit of an experiment but it really worked.
Welcome back. This egg dish is very much like coddled eggs, a huge favourite in our house! I also love wilted lettuce leaves, so so yummy.
We’ll be heading to Barcelona in the fall…can you reco any place good to eat, or what not to miss?
Hi Eva, I never get a decent chance to do any sightseeing when I’m there but it’s a great city for wandering around, ESP if you love architecture. There’s normally a long queue to get in but I’d definitely recommend Cal Pep. Fantastic tapas, and it’s worth the wait to get a table at the bar rather than in the restaurant out the back. Not sure if you’re into shopping but if you are, bring a big empty bag – some great shopping to be found in the centre of town.
Thanks for the tips, we’ll check them out. LOVE shopping!
I love the “salad” layer and a layer of cream cheese! oh my…this sounds sooo good! Truly a wonderful weekend treat!!