First, the bacon.
1/2 lb bacon (about half the package)
1 baking sheet (one that has edges or a rim)
1-2 layers aluminum foil
I know how blasphemous this sounds, but I almost never make bacon in a frying pan anymore unless I am using the bacon grease to cook something else. When I need to make bacon quickly, I follow these steps:
1) Place 1-2 layers of aluminum foil on a baking sheet.
2)Place one layer of bacon, about six to eight strips, onto the sheet. Place the sheet of bacon in the oven.
3)Turn the oven to BAKE @ 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes depending on the thickness of your bacon.
DO NOT PREHEAT THE OVEN. You want to make sure you put the bacon in a cold oven, it helps the bacon to cook evenly. Once it's done, you will want to set it aside on a plate with paper towels.
Now, we want to get to multitasking, so we'll start the hash browns next along with the cheese sauce. The eggs are going to be the very last thing we need for this recipe.
The hash browns are fairly simple, here's what you'll need:
1/2 package of frozen hash browns
1/4 -1/2 cup onion, diced
1/2 tablespoon Kosher salt
1/2 tablespoon Black Pepper
1 Tablespoon Adobo
You can play around with the spices to your liking, but those are about the measurements I use. Adobo is a really great spice blend found in what would be referred to as the Spanish section of the grocery store. For those of you who don't know what Adobo is, here you go:
First, grab a medium sized skillet and put about an 1/8 of an inch of vegetable oil. You don't want to put too much oil in the pan, otherwise the hash browns won't crisp up. Put your skillet on the burner and turn that to medium-high heat. While the oil is heating up, dice up your onion. Once that oil is at a medium high heat, go ahead and put your hash browns and onion in the oil and add your spices as well. Also, while the hash browns are cooking, add a few drops of liquid smoke if you have it. That will add a really nice smoky flavor to compliment the cheese sauce. Let that cook about 15-20 minutes or until the hash browns are a nice golden brown.
While the hash browns are cooking, it's time to start your cheese sauce! This a very basic cheese sauce and the first time I've really played around with it, so there will be some tweaking to come, but here is the recipe:
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese
A dash or two of nutmeg and cayenne pepper
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the flour and other spices, then gradually add the milk until well mixed. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and smooth. Cook for about five more minutes, then add the cheese, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended.
You can leave the cheese sauce on a low or warm heat while you are finishing up your hash browns and cooking your eggs.
The last piece of this whole recipe is the fried eggs. I personally prefer my egg over easy with the yolk still runny. I also season my eggs with salt, pepper, and a dash of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to compliment the nutmeg in your cheese sauce. Once you cook your fried egg to your liking, all of your components should be done. I usually layer the hash browns on the bottom, bacon in the middle, egg on top, covered in the cheese sauce. Here is the wonderful finished product:
Here you go everyone! Let me know what you think!
