Asparagus and Eggs
Asparagus and eggs make the best spring breakfast or a beautiful light lunch. Asparagus is cooked in a pan with a little oil, and topped with two eggs.
- 15 min
- Serves 1
- 7 ingredients
Steps
- Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and garlic; cook and stir until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add asparagus and cook until fork-tender, turning asparagus often to ensure even cooking, about 4 minutes.
- Spread asparagus out and crack 2 eggs over the asparagus. Cover with lid and cook until egg whites are firm and yolk is done to desired consistency, about 4 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper; sprinkle with red pepper flakes and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use thick asparagus instead of thin stalks?
Yes, but halve them lengthways first and give them longer than the 4 minutes thin stems need. Thick spears left whole are still tough in the middle by the time the eggs have set on top.
How do I get a runny yolk?
Cover the pan as the method says and check at around 4 minutes, when the whites should be firm and the yolks still loose. The lid cooks the tops with steam, so a minute either side makes the difference between runny and set.
How do I trim asparagus?
Snap or cut off the pale woody base of each stalk, which is usually the bottom inch or two. Thin stems need very little taken off, and the point is simply to lose the part that stays fibrous however long you cook it.
Can I make this for two people?
Yes, double everything and use a larger skillet so the asparagus still sits in a single layer. Crowding a small pan steams the stalks instead of browning them, and there needs to be room to crack four eggs over the top.
Can I use frozen asparagus?
It works but the texture suffers. Frozen asparagus releases water as it thaws in the pan, so it goes limp rather than fork-tender and will not take colour from the oil and garlic.
What do you serve with asparagus and eggs?
Toast or crusty bread is the obvious partner, since there is a runny yolk and garlic oil to mop up. It is written as a breakfast or light lunch, so nothing heavier is needed.