Eggs in Purgatory/Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce Recipes

This is something that I learned from an Italian chef a long time ago. He told me that his grandmother used to serve this as a quick, light lunch so that they can all get back to the farm to continue working. I am not sure why such a dramatic name for such a simple Southern Italian Dish. Basically it is just poached eggs in tomato sauce. For this dish I like using over-ripe tomatoes which are plenty during summer. With just a few ingredients you get a healthy robust flavor meal. Remember to get some fresh Italian bread before you make this as you’re going to need it to slop up all the sauce.

Ingredients:

4 large ripe tomatoes (roughly chopped) or a can of 14 oz crushed tomatoes
2 cloves garlic - chopped
4 eggs
Some fresh basil – julienned
Salt and black pepper to taste

1. Put the olive oil in a skillet large enough to hold the number of eggs you’ll be making. Sauté the garlic until lightly browned over medium heat. Add the tomatoes and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the sauce is thickened to your liking. Add in salt and pepper.
2. Once the sauce is ready, make little wells in the sauce and break in eggs one at a time. Turn down the heat, cover the skillet and let eggs cook until the yolks are to your desired runniness (is there such a word?).
3. Sprinkle in the basil and serve immediately with some crusty bread.

Chicken Parmesan Recipes

Chicken parmesan is Italian comfort food for me. For years I’ve been making this dish. Not authentically Italian as we didn’t server with spaghetti but we will have it with salad or with bread. My version is much simpler and I serve the marinara sauce on the side. The key ingredients to this dish is the flavorful breading and the flavor of parmesan cheese is the magic ingredient that gives the dish its distinctive smell and taste. The ingredients are nothing complicated and you will find most of it in your kitchen or you can easily purchase it from a store. Do try out this dish and you will be pleasantly surprised with the delicious results.

Ingredients:

2 boneless-skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup of Italian breadcrumbs
¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese
1 egg (beaten)
1 cup of marinara sauce

1. Pound chicken breast until it’s about ½” thick throughout. Season it with salt and pepper and set it aside.
2. In a plate combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Crack an egg into a bowl and beat it slightly.
3. In a frying pan warm up a tablespoon of butter and some olive oil to pan fry the chicken. Dip the chicken breasts in egg and then in the breadcrumb mixture
4. Put your chicken breasts in a pan and pan fried in medium heat until browned on both sides. Drain the oil on paper towel.
5. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce.