POACHED EGGS, WILTED SPINACH AND PULLMAN LOAF TOAST WITH BACON, ONION AND TOMATO JAM

Poached Eggs, Wilted Spinach and Pullman Loaf Toast with Bacon, Onion and Tomato Jam image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

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Ingredients

4 slices bacon, cut into 1/4-inch lardons
Extra-virgin olive oil
Pinch crushed red pepper
1/2 onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 beefsteak tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch dice
Kosher salt
1 sprig fresh oregano, leaves finely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Four 1-inch slices Pullman loaf, cut into 3-inch rounds
2 cloves garlic
1/2 (10 ounce) bag fresh baby spinach
Freshly chopped oregano leaves, for garnish
3 tablespoons white vinegar
4 large eggs
8 grapefruits (or enough to yield 4 cups juice), freshly squeezed, for serving

Steps:

For the bacon, onion and tomato jam: Toss the bacon into a large saute pan with a few drops of olive oil and the crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the pan to medium heat and cook the bacon until brown and crispy, 6 to 7 minutes. Spoon out 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat from the pan and reserve. Add the onions and tomatoes and season with salt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes and onions are soft and very aromatic, 12 to 15 minutes. Taste and reseason if needed. Stir in the oregano. Keep warm until ready to serve.
For the toast and wilted spinach: Preheat a cast-iron griddle pan over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the butter and melt. Once melted, add the Pullman rounds and toast on both sides until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Once toasted, remove from the pan and carefully rub each piece with the garlic cloves. Set aside on plates.
Add the reserved bacon fat to a large saute pan and preheat over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the spinach and salt and stir until wilted. Drain and discard any excess water. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Top the bread with the spinach just before serving.
For the poached eggs: Fill a medium saucepan two-thirds of the way with water. Add the vinegar and bring to boil (BTB). Reduce the heat until no bubbles break the surface of the water¿the idea is to create an egg Jacuzzi, a very gentle cooking method.
Crack the eggs into the poaching liquid and cook for 4 minutes. When done, the whites will be cooked through and the yolks will be warm and runny.
Remove the eggs from the poaching liquid and blot on a paper towel before putting on the wilted spinach and toast. Top with the bacon jam and garnish with fresh oregano.
Serve with a pitcher of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.