Eggs in Purgatory
This spicy Eggs in Purgatory, a traditional Italian dish, involves eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce, making for an easy, anytime meal.
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 3 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese slices, broken into pieces
- 4 large eggs
- fresh dill, for garnish (or other herbs such as cilantro, parsley, and basil)
- parmesan cheese, optional, for garnish
- toasted bread slices, for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add minced garlic to the skillet and continue to sauté for an additional 20 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add in red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Pour in the chopped tomatoes and turn the heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, until the tomatoes thicken into a sauce, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the fresh baby spinach and mix to combine.
- Arrange the mozzarella cheese randomly in the tomato mixture, then with the help of the back of a spoon, create 4 divots in the sauce mixture.
- Crack the egg and place it in a small bowl, taking care not to break the yolks. Gently add 1 egg into each hole. Season the eggs with salt and pepper. If you desire soft, runny egg yolks, cover and cook for 3 to 5 minutes; alternatively, for firmer eggs, continue cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
- While the eggs are cooking, toast some bread with butter on a hot pan or griddle. Set aside.
- When the eggs are done, top them with fresh dill and parmesan and sprinkle with salt and pepper as desired. Serve with toasted bread.
Notes
- Fresh Eggs: Opt for the freshest eggs you can find, as they offer better taste and a more desirable texture.
- Homemade vs. Store-Bought Sauce: While the homemade tomato sauce in this recipe is exceptional, you can save time by using a jar of marinara sauce instead.
- Control the Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to tailor the spiciness of the sauce to your liking.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses, like shredded cheddar or feta, instead of mozzarella.
- Cooking Eggs to Preference: For soft, runny yolks, cook the eggs covered for 3 to 5 minutes; for firmer yolks, extend the cooking time by an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 555kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 406mg | Sodium: 1592mg | Potassium: 1181mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 4503IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 445mg | Iron: 7mg
