SUNNY EGGS + MUSTARD-CREAMED CHARD
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 3:13PM 
I still have not really come to terms with the major increase in my grocery bill since I am now feeding a grown man. What I passed off as dinner while living on my own, doesn't cut it anymore. Budget friendly it was, filling for a hungry man it is not. This is not a complaint; I am having so much fun experimenting and having dinner conversation about what could be different: why do you always sneak kale into everything? quinoa does not count as a starch (I disagree), more salt, a little burnt... it's fun, and I'm learning.
Lately, breakfast has been 'our thing'. Hugh makes great coffee and I make something quick for breakfast. Note that his coffee process takes about 15-20 minutes start to finish, so I have time to do more than pour a bowl of cereal. Enough time to make this breakfast panini again, or yum these are my favorite. At some point society told us that in the mornings you get up and go and you kick your feet up at the end of the day. I think taking that little luxury in the morning, is worth working later into the evening. Breakfast lovers, you feel me?
I saw this recipe in the recent Bon Appetite and changed it up just a tad to use the chard I had in the fridge. Contrary to the title, it is not overly mustardy by any means. You could save time by just having toast as opposed to the breadcrumbs, but they are what give the dish character - tiny bits of crunch in each bite. And let us not forget the option of breakfast for dinner, because anything with breadcrumbs certainly can pass for either. 
SUNNY EGGS + MUSTARD CREAMED CHARD // Serves 2
Adapted from Bon Appetite
The magazine wrote the recipe with one egg, but I need two to constitute a meal. I realize we already have slightly creamy greens here, but a few grates of fresh parmesan would be a welcomed addition.
1/2 Cup Breadcrumbs (made from day old bread, crusts removed)
5 tsp. Dijon Mustard, divided
2 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus 1 Tbsp.
1/2 tsp. Mustard Seeds
1 Bunch Swiss Chard
1/4 Cup Half and Half
2 Tbsp. Chopped, Fresh Green Herbs (parsely, thyme, oregano, basil...)
4 Eggs
Sea Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper
1. Preheat oven to 400'. Bring the eggs out of the fridge. Toss the crumbs with 2 tsp. dijon, 2 tsp. olive oil, mustard seeds and a pinch of salt to coat. Scatter on a rimmed baking sheet, and toast for 6-8 minutes until edges are golden.
2. Remove the stem from the chard and give it a rough chop. Over medium high heat, add enough water to cover the bottom of a skillet. Toss the chard just to wilt it, about 2 minutes. Scrape it into a mesh sieve and press out the moisture.
3. Wipe out the skillet, add the remaining 3 tsp. of mustard, half and half, 1 Tbsp. of the green herbs and the drained chard. Stir everything together, cook about 3 minutes. Season with salt and fresh pepper. Remove from heat.
4. Heat remaining Tbsp. of oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Crack eggs in the skillet, with plenty of space between and cook until desired doneness. You may need to do this in two batches if making 2 eggs per person.
5. Divide the chard between two plates and top it with two eggs, breadcrumbs and herbs for garnish.
Reader Comments (66)
Wow, that looks incredible! Drool.
Sounds so good!
And I completely agree about taking that special time in the mornings. It makes the day so much more bearable :)
Absolutely gorgeous! I'm lovin' the breakfast recipes lately! Keep 'em comin' :)
Wow, this looks divine! I am a huge breakfast person so I will definitely try it out!
A friend and I JUST decided today to make this dish for our Friday night dinner. I'd seen it in BA and it looked amazing...and now I see it featured on your blog....thanks for sharing. I can't wait to enjoy!
i love eggs with greens. such a delicious combination. 20 minute coffee time?! that must be some darn good coffee. i share your love of breakfast! <3
Yum, looks like such a satisfying way to start the day!
I was just wondering what to make for dinner tonight and you answered my question. Even better...I don't have to go the dreaded grocery store now. Thank you! :-)
I forgot to comment on how excited I am about your upcoming cookbook! You can count me in for five copies (as a starting point). I'm sure they'll make gorgeous gifts. Anyway, as for the dish above, your egg is cooked so beautifully. I have yet to master the fried egg. Scrambled eggs? Yes, I have those down pat; Julia Child taught me right from wrong. But as for anything with the yolk in tact and showing, it's hit or miss. Any tips?
I leave you with the sound of my grumbling stomach...thanks for sharing!
Oh my heavens YUM!!!! I'm crazy about anything that has mustard involved!
Melissa
This is perfect timing! I was just looking for a recipe for eggs and spinach. My husband bought a three-pound bag of spinach and I've been looking for new ways to use it all up!
I am by far more of a morning person - even I would say I am a morning eater. I keep my biggest meal to breakfast. I even prefer dessert after breakfast than after dinner. This is my sort of breakfast.
Eggs and greens are one of my favorite combinations - breakfast, lunch, or dinner! The creamy, mustardy chard sounds especially delicious.
mustard is just so versatile...i LOVE it in everthing!
Aww, my hubby and I never focus on breakfast:( We always focus on dinner which is nice but sometimes I miss breakfast! Maybe I should make a point of starting a Saturday morning breakfast...yes, that sounds good!
So beautiful! Eggs and greens are one of my favourite dinner combos!
mmmm! this sounds so delicious! I rarely eat swiss chard and this is a good way to eat lots of it! And eggs for dinner are such a treat for us!
Beautiful, Sara. I'm with you re: getting used to feeding a grown man. My man likes protein with every meal and it's still something I'm trying to get used to (he also has an elaborate coffee routine). Looking forward to trying this!
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i would totally eat this for dinner. amazing.
Yes I agree with you on the skyrocketing grocery bills! Whenever he is out of town I relish in my simple pleasures of Annies Mac & Cheese, hummus or pita bread pizzas. I have been enjoying breakfast more and more recently- this looks like a winner!
@Stephanie - trust me, it's the easiest of the egg options. Start with a room temp egg, use a nonstick pan and coat the bottom with a bit of oil. Fry the egg and don't touch it, cover it in the last minute of cooking and it will help the top firm up too. Good luck!
This looks delicious. And I could definitely eat this for dinner just as easily as breakfast.
I am with you on the feeding a man change! It's not only the portion size but also the components that are different when a man is involved.
My husband would love this dish. Though, I would make it with spinach as chard isn't available around here.
Thanks for sharing!
YUM!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing as always.
My husband & I love swiss chard and we just received a huge bunch in our last organic order. I've never done anything but steam it, so this is something new we will definitely have to try....I'm thinking this weekend for breakfast!
I totally feel you (about both breakfast and suddenly feeding a hungry male)!! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I absolutely require a little quiet time with my cup of coffee and something adequately protein-filled or my day just falls to shambles! This definitely looks like a breakfast to work into the rotation.
i, too, love breakfast. it is definitely a sacred time for me. your meal looks scrumptious! i've been eating tons of chard lately, so will have to try.
I feel you! I'm a huge breakfast person. I usually get up earlier than I have to just to make a special breakfast. It gets my day off to a good start, and I prepare mentally for the day while it's cooking!
you read my MIND! I've been eying this dish since I got the issue, trying to decide if I could pass it off to my bf as a proper dinner or if I'd have to relegate it to a weekend breakfast. I'm glad you made it with greens because that was just my plan! The chard in my fridge has been giving me puppy eyes, begging to be plated with creamy mustard sauce and eggs! And yes, quinoa is absolutely a proper starch.
This is definitely a breakfast I would love. It looks divine!
Made it, ate it, loved it. Repeating soon :)
Oh man this looks amazing! It's funny...my husband and I have many a great conversations about how I (we) can experiment with previously made dishes. And I always see this as a compliment from him in my potential and abilities in cooking. We've been married for a little over 3 years now and I'm still learning and love it. From the get go though I learned quickly that he loves his eggs over medium and toast slightly on the burnt side.... :) And taking time for breakfast in the morning makes for great photos in the morning light! ;) Thanks for sharing!
As an incredibly single girl, I can only dream of having a big male stomach to experiment on! Thankfully this is just the kind of meal I love for breakfast-for-dinner. Thanks for being able to accomodate both the alone-and-coupled people in this world.
This looks delicious. I agree with you about reversing the day. Starting off the morning with a leisurely breakfast makes everything better! Now the times I actually accomplish this is a different story.
I always make sure I have time for breakfast in the morning... even on a crazy early morning work day.
I love this... must try!!
Yum! This will definitely be dinner in our house. And for the record, chard (or spinach, for me) does go in everything, and quinoa most definitely counts as a starch! What else would it be?
Completely understand the coffee routine, and feeding a guy as compared to just yourself... still trying to figure out how to get rid of the weight I gained as a consequence of feeding said male over the last two years of marriage. Any recommendations :).
This looks like a great way to start the weekend tomorrow morning!
This looks like an amazing way to start the weekend tomorrow morning....or maybe tonight!
I love your website. I seriously can't get over it. :)
What a unique and beautifully presented dish! The photo makes my mouth water!
Hello! I'm from Italy and not sure about "what half and half" means...can you help? Thanks for the hint...I'm dying to try this recipeeeeee! ciao ciao
Hello! I'm from Italy and not sure about what "half and half" means..any hint? Thanks for the suggestions, I'm dyin' to try this recipee. Ciao ciao
This looks perfectly delicious! As always, gorgeous photos!
You are so right about breakfast... I love starting the day with some leisure time. I just feel crabby when I speed out the door, eating a yogurt at my desk. And the combo of rich eggs and flavorful greens looks awesome.
Absolutely gorgeous!
Eggs and greens for breakfast rule. Or any other time, for that matter!
Can't wait to try this! When I was in California, I somehow managed to add kale to almost every single meal. We can't get it here in Costa Rica, so I had to eat a year's worth in 2 weeks! I don't know if I'd ever get sick of it though, especially not with quinoa.
Great kitchen ideas.
Thanks for sharing :-)