3550. DEEP-FRIED BACON and EGGS with LEMON-EGG VINAIGRETTE

For the bacon and eggs 
6 slices bacon 
Olive oil cooking spray 
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 
4 extra-large eggs 
Kosher salt

For the vinaigrette 
3 extra-large eggs 
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 
1-1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 
1 anchovy fillet, finely chopped 
Kosher salt

For the crust 
2 English muffins, split in half 
Kosher salt 
2-1/4 oz. (1/2 cup) all-purpose flour 
2 extra-large eggs 
Vegetable oil, for frying

To serve 
1 small head frisée (about 5 oz.), torn into bite-size pieces (about 5 cups)

Cook the bacon and eggs: Bring a 6-quart pot of water to a boil over high heat.

Working in batches if necessary, cook the bacon in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, flipping occasionally, until crisp, about 6 minutes. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate and discard the bacon fat in the pan. When the bacon is cool, mince it and set aside.

Line four 4-oz. cups or ramekins with plastic wrap, leaving 3 inches of plastic hanging over the edges on all sides. Spray a thin coating of cooking spray on the plastic wrap. Cut a large piece of plastic wrap into 4 strips.

Sprinkle the parsley and then the bacon evenly among the cups. Crack one egg into each cup and season each egg with a pinch of salt. Gather up the loose ends of each piece of plastic wrap, pushing out as much air as possible. Twist the plastic wrap a few times to create a ball shape. Tie each pouch closed with one of the plastic strips.

Put the plastic-wrapped eggs in the boiling water and cook until the egg whites are firmly set but the yolk is still runny, about 4 minutes. Remove the eggs from the water with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate. Chill in the refrigerator until cool, at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.

Make the vinaigrette: Put the eggs in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a brisk simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer and cook the eggs for 10 minutes. While the eggs are cooking, prepare an ice bath. Transfer the eggs to the ice bath and let cool completely.

When cool, peel the eggs and grate them on the fine holes of a box grater.

In a medium bowl, combine the grated eggs, oil, lemon juice, parsley, zest, and anchovy. Season to taste with salt. The vinaigrette will be thick and won’t emulsify.

Make the crust: Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler and heat the oven to 200°F.

Arrange the English muffins in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Dry them in the oven for 1 hour; then turn the broiler to high and toast the muffins until golden-brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool completely.

In a food processor, pulse the muffins into fine crumbs. Season with a pinch of salt and set aside in a wide, shallow bowl. Put the flour in another wide, shallow bowl and season with a pinch of salt. Put the eggs in a third wide, shallow bowl, season with a pinch of salt, and beat.

Pour enough vegetable oil into a 4-quart pot to fill it to a 2-inch depth and heat it to 350°F over medium-high heat.

While the oil is heating, remove the plastic-wrapped eggs from the refrigerator and cut the plastic just below the tie. Peel off the remaining plastic. Working with one egg at a time, gently dredge in the flour and then the egg mixture, shaking to remove any excess. Gently coat the egg with the crumb mixture. Transfer the egg to a large plate and repeat the process with the remaining eggs.

Fry the breaded eggs until golden-brown and warmed through, about 90 seconds. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.

Serve: Divide the frisée among 4 plates. Arrange one egg on top of the frisée on each plate, spoon some of the sauce over the frisée, and serve.


bacon recipe source: Scott Conant, Fine Cooking (@finecooking), Issue 104