Toad in a Hole

Toad in a Hole

This post was originally published when Scarlett was a wee four years old. However, it continues to ring true today. I still have “brush your teeth” and “get your coat” on a morning loop but I also rely on this easy breakfast, even now that our mornings are way more hectic. (What was I thinking back then calling those days “hectic.” Rookie.) Alongside some fresh fruit, Scarlett always feels satisfied by this morning meal. (In fact she had it today with sliced apples and blueberries.)

This week we’ll be chatting breakfasts, especially easy balanced morning meals that will make you feel good about sending the babes out into the world. We’ll see you back here late this week with recipes and strategies that will help you get out of your cereal loop. In the meantime, go forth with this Toad in the Hole. It’s a family favourite.

Scarlett has gotten to a fun age where she loves to hear stories from what she calls the “old days.” In other words, she likes when we tell her about places she visited, things she liked to eat, or toys she had when she was a baby. The “really old days” are when we tell her places we visited as kids, meals we enjoyed, or toys we had back in the day. (Her responce to a Sit’n Spin: “What’s so fun about getting dizzy?” Not sure.) Once we offer our tale of “the really old days,” it usually means we better be prepared to manage the obligatory requests: “When can I have a jeep and drive around playing Whitesnake?” (Clearly, that was my husband.)

photos: Maya Visnyei

It was about a year or more ago that Dan told her about his love for Toad in a Hole, an easy egg recipe his grandmother used to make for him. Once he made it for her, Scarlett requested it regularly. She likes to love the things we do (did). I suppose that will end soon, but, hopefully, not until I influence her love of reading a book on a Saturday night instead of hanging out in the nearest McDonalds parking lot.

Toad in a Hole

Ingredients

  • 4 servings
  • 4 spelt bread slices
  • 2 pats of butter
  • 4 organic eggs
  • Salt

Method

Place one pat of butter in frying pan over medium/low heat. Allow butter to melt.

Cut holes out of the centers of bread using a glass or a cookie cutter.

Place two pieces of bread in pan and allow to lightly brown on one side, about 2 minutes.

Flip bread and crack eggs into center holes.

Sprinkle egg with some salt.

Allow eggs to cook through, about 6 minutes.

Remove and add second pat of butter.

Repeat with last two slices of bread.

Serve with side of fresh fruit.


Scarlett used to just cut the whole out of the bread for me. However, since she’s gotten a bit older, I allow her to crack the egg into the bread’s center. I love that I can let the egg sit in the pan on low heat cooking and be sidetracked by the onslaught of our morning. OK, I’m not advocating for forgetting food on the stove. I’m just saying it happened one time and I didn’t ruin this meal. All my repeating ‘brush your hair,” “brush your teeth” and “get your coat” take its toll. I’m just saying.
Originally posted May 19, 2011

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10 Comments

  1. Mrs Bok
    May 19, 07:14 Reply

    LOL I’m easily sidetracked too on the ‘reminding’ 🙂 I haven’t made this in years!! Will have to make it for my 6 yr old and my 2 yr old, they’ll love it! Such a funny name, never worked out the reason for it. Do you know?

    • Laura Keogh
      May 22, 23:36 Reply

      Hi. I don’t know the origin of the name but am know obsessed with finding out for us. Stay tuned…

  2. Claire
    May 19, 09:08 Reply

    I love this quick ‘n easy breakfast! We call it “Eggs in a Basket”, and I am happy to see you used butter in the recipe. I’ve tried it with oils or sprays and it does not taste nearly as good. I’m all about “back to basics” cooking, and this is a great dish to prove it.

  3. Brandie Weikle
    May 19, 12:53 Reply

    I’m going to try this! Thank you for reminding me about Toad in the Hole!

  4. Barbara Yankoski
    May 23, 01:42 Reply

    My husband’s father made Toad In A Hole for him when he was a little kid. Grandpa let my hubby and his little sister fold the bread in half and “bite” out the holes. Of course when our daughters were small this was their favorite Dad breakfast and mine too. So happy the tradition carries on. Cheers. 🙂

  5. Jessica
    May 23, 21:16 Reply

    This is still one of my favorite easy meals for any time of day…but we call it Egg-in-a-Nest. Thanks for the cute story!

  6. Puneeta Chhitwal-Varma
    January 02, 21:03 Reply

    Found this recipe recently. Sounds absolutely delicious. Will try it for sure next week when schools start next week. Thanks

  7. Jilliy
    August 18, 00:26 Reply

    Toad in a Hole is sausages baked in a yorkshire pudding batter. This is Eggs in a Nest. Both are delicious though.

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