I am so excited about this sandwich. Not just because it’s delicious, easy to make either for breakfast or on a busy weeknight, and made from things we normally have in our pantry (though all those things are true), but because there is finally an entry under my ‘sandwiches’ category. This brings me one step closer to accomplishing my summer culinary goals. Can I hear a “hoo! ha! fuhubugadz!” from anyone out there in the crowd this morning?
Anyone? Fuhubugadz?
Anyway.
The sandwich is nothing fancy, though you could dress it up with chives or peppers or bacon, but I’m sharing here just in case some poor urchin out there hasn’t tried throwing one together before. And I mean ‘urchin’ in the most affectionate way possible–I’m going for a lovable and pathetic Oliver Twist kind of thing. See, I was once of those poor urchins who hadn’t made a breakfast sandwich before, until one of my sisters stepped in and changed things forever.
I can’t remember which one. Maybe Erica? Maybe Heidi? Anyway, it’s satisfying and perfect and . . . well, technically not really a recipe.
“You know, even though I’m posting this on my blog, let’s be honest–this isn’t really a recipe,” I said mournfully to my husband after tossing it on a plate. “It’s more like . . . an assembly.”
“But assembly meals are my favorite kind!” exclaimed my husband.
Then, because he said exactly the right thing at exactly the right moment, I rewarded him with five schmoochy kisses and a partridge in a pear tree.
So with his support and encouragement, and because this satisfied his man-palate and his man-stomach, here we go!
Ingredients
(Serves 1)
1 English muffin, halved
1 egg
Pat of butter
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 slice Muenster cheese
1-2 thin slices good-quality ham
Don’t harangue me for saying ‘good quality ham’–I’m not trying to pull an Ina Garten on you (though I do love the woman)–it’s just that since the ingredients here are so few, the quality will really make a difference. With that note, we shall proceed.
Halve and toast the English muffin . . .
. . . and spread it with butter on both sides.
Set it aside.
In a non-stick skillet, heat up the pat of butter over medium high heat until fully melted. Crack the egg into the butter, sprinkle it with salt and pepper, and turn down the heat to medium.
As the white of the egg begins to set, use a spatula to gently break the yolk in the middle and fold the thin edges of white towards the center to create a round shape. Something like this:
And I almost forgot–toss the slice (or slices) of ham to the skillet, next to the egg.
Take a second to slice up the old block of Muenster. And that “old” was an affectionate term, not an indicator of a potentially moldy situation.
Make the slices on the thin side–we don’t want to drown this thing in cheese.
When the egg is mostly set, turn it over (turn the ham over too) . . .
. . . and place the slice of Muenster on top.
Cook the egg for just another minute or two, until it’s fully cooked and the cheese is melted.
You’ll notice that my one slice of cheese somehow became three slices of cheese. I chalk it up to the Mysterious Ways of the Universe.
Now it’s time to assemble the sandwich: put the egg, cheese and ham between the English muffin halves.
Check out the tasty brown bits on the ham. Oh yes.
Serve!
Seek the opinion of the man at the table.
He takes a bite . . . he chews . . . he ponders . . .
He approves!
Make this sandwich! You will approve too.
And now for something completely different: I was recently reading through my daily blog list, happily perusing Amy’s post on a lovely pasta dish with zucchini and mushrooms. She went on to say that she’d just received a gift from a so-called ‘Fairy Hobmother’ from Appliances Online, and encouraged us to leave a comment on her post since this Fairy might grant us an appliance wish too.
“Who is this Fairy Hobmother person, and why the heck would she send me an appliance?” I asked myself. I followed the link to an online appliance store. “Oh well,” I shrugged, “If they employ a fairy who wants to send me free stuff, I guess I want a juicer.” And I moved on with my life.
When I opened my email on Wednesday, surprise surprise: the Fairy Hobmother has not only decided to send me a juicer, but also says that if any of you all want to leave a comment on this post and make a wish, she may also decide to drop by your digs (figuratively speaking) and send you the appliance you’ve been needin’. Wow. I guess this somehow works out for the appliance company financially . . . but I’m not exactly sure how. Thankfully I don’t have to worry about that. Phew.
Now I can start my day off with Swamp Monster food: blended kale, avocados, carrots, and who knows what else. Maybe a splash of heavy cream, ’cause that’s how I roll.
Click here for printer-friendly version: Ham and Egg Breakfast Sandwich
…you don’t want too much cheese… I think my husband just died of sadness. I have never heard those words come out of his mouth. 🙂 We love breakfast sammies. So delicious! Oh, and if an appliance fairy were to drop out of the sky and grant me one wish, I would want…. a rice cooker. Or a small crockpot (mine is 6 quarts which is great for parties, but not great for a couple). 🙂
Heh heh. Normally I wouldn’t skimp on cheese, but one time I really overloaded my breakfast sandwich, and the melty greasiness of it was just . . . too much.
This sure beats the heck out of a McMuffin!!
I’m also in the market for new crockpot, but I’d love a juicer, too! All of those green smoothie thingys are intriguing!
Yummy! I’m off bread and other carbs for a while, so eat one for me!
Also, I’m in the market for a nice food processor or a stick blender.
Giiiiirl, I’m so glad someone else out on the blogosphere posted their favorite breakfast, because I DID THE SAME THING.
http://bevcooks.com/2011/06/my-favorite-breakfast-ever/
Great stomachs eat alike. ….right?
One of my very favorites. Looks so yummy.
Come. on. Fuhubugadz. Everybody fuhubugadz! Come on, guys, fuhubugadz. (only I sort thought it was fohohogoguys.)
My dream appliance is to get a Kitchen Aid, but I’d settle for a hand mixer.
Yay!!!! I’m so glad that somebody got my Strongbad reference. (You’re awesome. Has anyone told you that recently?)
Aw, shucks. You’re makin’ me blush.
As I scrolled through my “following” list, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the photo… My mouth is now drooling over this simple yet clearly delicious breakfast staple! Also, I’m loving the Ina/Barefoot reference, LOL.
I have been dying for a panini press sandwich thing!!! Is that the technical name for it?
I think so. Those things are awesome.
Great minds think alike. This is The Complete Package’s “go to” breakfast sandwich, except that he insists on using American cheese. I prefer a good colby-jack. We sometimes “go wild” and substitute crispy bacon. Crazy, huh? This is real comfort food to me. Now about this Fairy Hobmother…. for realz? Do you think she has an extra Cuisinart blender or maybe a Kuerig coffee machine sitting around, because I’ve been dreaming of them.
For all the men at their respective tables: approval = best job ever.
I only wish I liked eggs..because this looks delicious….alas I don’t eat eggs…makes for difficulty during breakfast sometimes…
This fairy Hobmother- really?? I would LOVE a panini press. Would be fabulous!!
I loooove breakfast sandwiches but hardly ever make them. My belly is screaming for this one right now!! Fairy Hobmother, I fervently desire a Kitchenaid stand mixer but since you are laughing uproariously right now that I dared to think I might get one for free, I’d settle for a new blender. 🙂 Mine bit the dust.
You need to spend more time in Wisconsin if you think there’s such a thing as “too much cheese.” Sad, simply sad.
That being said, I covet a small crock pot. A round one, so I can spin the lid to see how the food is cookin’ without opening it. One that’s just a couple of quarts. Sigh.
Dear Fairy Hobmother: I too would love to own a juicer. Although a dehydrator would not be turned down either.
Dear Jenna:
BRING ON THE SAMMICH!!! You have made my mouth water. And I don’t even have English muffins at home!! I think this warrants a quick trip to the groc.
Love,
Me.
Wow, this non-recipe post really got the comments!! Me thinks the egg and ham sandwich would please me husband very much…thus I will try my hand at this one. Thanks Jenna, once again for an entertaining, yet productive post.
Your sandwich looks delicious. I’d love a fabulous mandoline from the Fairy Hobmother.
Ev’rybody to the limit! The Cheat is to the limit! Evry’body Fuh-uh-ubugadz!
We’re trying to empty the fridge before vacation, and this might just be a good dinner to help us do that! Yum!
Congratulations on achieving sandwich category status, Jenna — with a husband-approved smile to boot! You’ve inspired me to make breakfast for supper tonight. (Dinner, for all you non-Midwesterners…)
Re: the Fairy Hobmother’s desire to grant appliance-related wishes… I really don’t need anything that I can think of, so I’ll wish for a panini press for you, Jenna, so you can make more sandwiches!
Dear Fairy Hobmother, I would love a food processor!
I’m lovin’ this post. However, I’m in disbelief about this Fairy Hobmother. Are you really getting a free juicer??? That’s truly amazing if you are.
Just in case: Fairy Hobmother, I wish, I wish for a food processor!
Yes!! I just received it in the mail today. It’s sitting right next to my desk here at work. Woohooo! Craziness.
I would really love a panini press….or a mini chopper!
When you wish upon an appliaaaaaaaaance…..
I would like to rescind my earlier wish and wish instead for a keurig. the end.
You know, sometimes we get caught up in such complicated food that we forget about the simple things in life…like ham and eggs and cheese!
This sandwich is my husband’s specialty- he makes the most amazing breakfast sandwiches, and they are just like that except that we often use bagels. In fact I think I may finagle one out of him right now…. Congrats on the fairy hobmother! That is amazing.
I loooove me an egg sandwich, although mine are usually plus bacon and sans ham. These look fabulous!
mmmm…. these totally stuck in my mind when I read this on vacation. On the menu plan for the week they went as soon as we got back, and on the dinner plates they went tonight! Fabulous!! These are definitely be a dinner staple for us. Oooh, and we used canadian bacon instead (which might really be a kind of ham? not sure) – super yummy. 🙂
*are definitely GOING to be a dinner staple. (sheesh)
Wow – this sandwich has me drooling!! BLD – good for breakfast, lunch or dinner, oh hell – even a mid-afternoon, mid-morning or midnight snack. The crispy ham bits look fantastic!
What’s this about a Fairy Hobmother? Imagine if there were some Vitamix machines hanging around – oh boy – it would be the happpiest day ever, or a really great blender would be a perfect runner up. Although I’m also seeing people with some really fancy juicers and I’ve been dying to jump on that wagon too.
Love your blog!!
Thanks Amie! Yeah, the crispy jam is the cherry on top in this sandwich. Hope you get visited by the Fairy!
Wow! That looks fantastic! And the fairy hobmother??? Oh if only she would visit me with a new stand mixer! I burned my last one out after years of baking Christmas cookies!
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