Birds in a Nest + Eggs in a Basket = Birds in a Hole

Joe had this weekend off from work, so I was trying to think of something special to make for Saturday morning breakfast without having to go to the grocery store. I asked him if he would want Birds in a Hole, and I was ruthlessly mocked. Whatever you call it, this is a nice easy breakfast that requires minimal ingredients. It was recently featured on Pioneer Woman Cooks, but the first time I was exposed to it was when Joe's mom made it for us on my first trip to Wisconsin. My family didn't eat real butter growing up.

First, take a slice of bread and cut a hole in it with a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass. I used homemade wheat bread for this, so it was a little tricky to get the slices the appropriate width, and the rim of my glass was a little large.

Next, melt a tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-low. I busted out the cast iron skillet for the first time, and I have to say that there is something amazingly satisfying about watching butter melt in a cast iron skillet.

Place the hole-y (haha, even funnier because I go to Divinity School) piece of bread in the skillet and let it get a little toasty. Then crack an egg in the hole, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and let it cook for about a minute. Very carefully flip the bread and egg to cook the other side. Sop up the remaining butter with the cut-out circle and serve on the side to help sop up the runny yolk.

Joe went back for a second one that he made himself. He promptly declared that mine were prettier and his were more like Birds in a Warzone. I think this dish now has a new name.