Here’s How to Make Moonstruck Eggs, the Very First Egg-in-a-Hole

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 2 Servings

If you’ve ever made an egg-in-a-hole — an egg cracked inside a slice of bread and fried to crisp perfection — you know it’s easy, tasty, and, most importantly, fun. Why have your egg on top of your toast when you could have it nestled inside? Everyone has their own way of preparing the dish, and their own name for it, too: We’ve heard egg-in-a-basket and even toad-in-a-hole. But the version we’re sharing here, inspired by the late ’80s romantic comedy Moonstruck, might just be the very first one to exist

Ingredients

2 slices hearty sandwich bread (about 3/4-inch thick), such as peasant bread, sourdough, whole-wheat, or multi-grain
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large roasted red pepper (from a 12-ounce jar), patted dry and sliced
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs
Chopped fresh chives or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Cut a hole in the middle of each bread slice using a 2-inch round cutter or the rim of a small glass.
Melt the butter in a large cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Swirl the pan as the butter melts to evenly coat the surface. The pan is ready when the butter begins sizzling. Add the red pepper, garlic, a pinch of salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Cook until fragrant and warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes.
Push the pepper mixture to one side. Place the bread slices on the other side and cook until toasted and golden-brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
Flip the bread slices. Crack an egg into each hole and season with a pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Cover and cook until the eggs are just set and other side of the bread is golden-brown, 2 to 3 minutes more.
Transfer the pepper mixture onto each egg-in-a-hole. Transfer to plates, garnish with the chives or parsley, if using, and serve.