Review: Ina Garten's Herbed Baked Eggs

I spent today just sitting in front of the TV while surfing the web on my laptop and barely moved an inch. Suddenly, I realized I was hungry and wouldn't you know it, the episode of Barefoot Contessa on Food Network suddenly looked like the best thing in the world. At that moment, she was preparing Herbed Baked Eggs, which I just finished eating only a few minutes ago.

The recipe couldn't be simpler to prepare. In an oven safe dish (small), put 1 tablespoon of heavy cream and half a tablespoon of butter. Place this in your warmed up broiler for three minutes. In the mean time, break three large eggs into a cup or bowl. Also, mix 1/2 a cup of grated cheese (I used mozzarella) with some fresh herbs and spices (I just used crushed red pepper, a little cinnamon, some clove, and cracked black pepper) and a half teaspoon of minced garlic (from the jar is just fine). When the three minutes are up, remove the dish from the broiler and pour in your eggs. Then sprinkle your cheese/herb/garlic mixture on top and broil the entire thing for 5 to 6 minutes, enough time for the whites to become solid. Promptly remove from the broiler and let sit for a minute or two until it is cool enough so you don't burn your mouth. TrentSketch Safety Tip: Please don't taste test straight out of the broiler. Your tongue will thank you and the meal will taste much better. Serve the herbed baked eggs with some toasted bread or a good stiff dinner roll and enjoy.

My goodness, was this ever delicious. There is lots of room for variety in what ingredients you add and the process couldn't be any simpler. Plus, with three large (original recipe said extra large) eggs and some toast or a good roll, it is more than enough to be a meal itself. This was a pretty sophisticated egg dish best saved for when you don't plan to spend the rest of the night sitting home alone pigging out on some Fossil Fuel Ice Cream while pondering who is the pre-ordained winner of American Idol (my bet is Leslie Hunt, which you can read about at the best site for snark, Television Without Pity) or why Tyra Banks cast a whole lot of trannylicious ladies on cycle 8 of Top Model. TrentSketch Safety Tip Do not stare directly at the contestants on Top Model, ever. That way, you can maintain the illusion that all models are beautiful.