Pop is an 81 year old Southern man who voted for Obama and once owned an awesome textile company called Needletown. He loves a cold Budweiser, and anything by Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson. He can be so very stubborn, and I always think of him when I act the same. We both share a love for early mornings, strong coffee and eggs.
Baked eggs with tomato & cottage cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium tomato, diced and seeded
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
3 large basil leaves
1 local egg
1/4 c cottage cheese*
freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 325. Heat olive oil over low-to-medium heat. Add the tomato and cook for about five minutes. Add the garlic, cooking a few minutes longer until fragrant. Remove from heat, add the dash of vinegar. Butter or oil a small ramekin. Add the tomato, garlic and basil to the bottom of the ramekin. Crack the egg into a small bowl. Add the cottage cheese and black pepper, mix well. Add the egg mixture to the ramekin and place on a baking sheet. Pour water into the pan until it comes up to about one-third of the side of the ramekin. Place in the oven. Cook until the egg is completely set, 15-20 minutes. Be careful removing the baking sheet with hot water from the oven.
Serves one. Make an extra for someone you love and serve with strong coffee.
*Normally I use heavy cream, but I was out. Cottage cheese worked perfectly and added an extra protein kick.
