With the arrival of the snow this week and the imminent fear of unemployment in the New Year, I spent most of this morning staring out of a frosted window in my pants pondering my current situation... What am I going to eat? What’s left in the cupboards? And how am I going to afford to eat out and write another review for this blog? Actually come to think of it maybe I only started this blog to avoid having to look for a new job. Well let’s be honest it’s going to be some time so I’m resorting to sharing my lunch with you.
Having flicked through a few books and my rapidly depleting cupboards I decided on Eggs en Cocotte or Baked Eggs from the simple yet brilliant book by Michel Roux ‘Eggs’.
The original recipe calls for Girolles (also known as Chanterelles), a beautiful aromatic wild mushroom that grows in Scotland. The season begins in spring with the majority growing just after harsh rainfalls during the summer months. Sadly, they are just out of season and unlikely to pop up at my local corner shop anytime soon. A few Buttons or Chestnuts will do just fine.
To get started, part fill the buttered moulds with the reduced cream of mushrooms, parsley, thyme and a squeeze of lemon juice, top with an egg, a spoonful more cream, put in a bain-marie in the oven at 170C for 10 minutes and wait.
With the snow falling ever harder, a mound of heavily buttered toast and three minutes left on the timer, my girlfriend fell through the door having been sent home from work and stood windswept and shivering in the hall. That is some timing!
An egg down but with company we tucked in. These little pots of pleasure pretty much burst with sunshine as the yolks split and joined forces with the earthy, herbed cream. Rich, warm and absolutely delicious this time of year, especially if your snowed in and halfway through an episode of Murder She Wrote while you’re supposed to be at work. Next time maybe I’d add a piece of crisp pancetta or smoked bacon but that’s the joy of this quick lunch, you are likely to have most of the ingredients lying round the kitchen. No need to venture out in the snow.
Having mopped up and cleaned the ramekin with the last standing soldier of toast, I only wish the other one was still there!
Book: Eggs by Michel Roux
(Will get a camera ASAP this phone is not really cutting it)
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