Egg in a Waffle Window

Are you familiar with an Egg in a Window? You may also know it as an Egg in Bread or an Egg in a Basket. The classic Egg in a Window is the most basic yet beloved of breakfast treats. I grew up on those things, and I’d be willing to bet most of you did too. My mother would whip one up for me in the morning, and I would devour the tasty little sucker with pleasure. In case you just moved here from Mars and you don’t know what an Egg in a Window is (or perhaps you’re reading this from Mars; in which case, greetings from Earth!), a classic Egg in Bread is a simple but delicious breakfast dish. It’s comprised of a slice of bread, with a little circle gone from the center into which an egg is cracked. The whole thing is fried in butter and typically seasoned with salt and pepper. Sometimes, it’s topped with melted cheese. What you wind up with is a fried egg fused into a slice of bread, creating some kind of buttery, golden brown breakfast hybrid. You can almost say the egg and the bread become one.

It’s definitely an occasion in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. How else could you describe something so tasty that results from such minimal time, effort, and ingredients? Treats like these don’t come around often; for something to be so good but so quick and easy is rare. Perhaps that is why the Egg in a Window is so widely loved by all.

I, of course, am a fan of these egg-stuffed slices of bread myself. One day, I found myself staring into the freezer with my usual conundrum: what on Earth should I eat? My eyes fell on a box of Eggo Waffles, and suddenly, my Smart Cookie gears began to turn. If an egg cooked inside of bread is delicious, then how impossibly good would it be to cook the egg inside of a waffle?

Turns out, it’s AWESOME. In fact, I think I like this Egg in a Waffle Window even better than the classic Egg in Bread! The waffle turns golden brown and crispy as you fry it, while the egg becomes tender and delicious. Between the butter it’s fried in and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, this has just the right balance of simple, perfect flavor. The melted sharp cheddar cheese is the icing on the cake here, providing that sharp bite and indulgent cheesiness. However, this would be just as good without the cheese if you wish to keep it simple.

Speaking of simple, this is as simple as it gets. You need 4 ingredients and about 5 minutes. That’s it! Not a novice chef? Never fear! The Egg in a Waffle Window is made for hungry souls in search of a quick and easy meal. Nothing could be more convenient than pulling a waffle out of the freezer and frying one of these babies up. This is the way to go if you like your eggs over easy (get it?).

A Few Tips Before You Get Cooking:

1. As mentioned above, cheese is optional. You can also use a slice of American in place of the Cheddar.
2. Want a healthier, low-calorie version of this? Replace the egg with 1/3 cup Egg Beaters and use 3/4 tablespoon of light butter spread in place of the regular butter (like Land O’ Lakes). Either skip the cheese or use reduced fat cheddar. Voila, a healthier Egg in a Waffle Window for under 200 calories!
3. If you like your eggs ooey gooey, then make sure not to over cook the egg! I, however, like my eggs cooked through so I cooked it a bit longer.

Egg in a Waffle Window

By Colleen Bierstine

Makes one waffle

Ingredients:

• 1 frozen waffle (like Eggo)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon butter
• kosher salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• optional: 2 tablespoons sharp cheddar cheese or 1 slice of American cheese

Directions:

1. Place the waffle on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on high for 15 seconds, then flip and cook for another 10 seconds.
2. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Cut out a small circle in the center of the waffle and place it in the skillet. Crack the egg into the hole. Cook until the bottom is golden brown and flip. Continue to cook until the other side is golden brown as well and the egg is cooked to your liking. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. If adding cheese, sprinkle it over top and turn off the heat. Cover immediately and let cheese melt. Remove it from pan and enjoy!