Eggs in Purgatory: A Simple Yet Elegant Recipe
Eggs in Purgatory, also known as Uova in Purgatorio, is a simple yet incredibly flavorful Italian dish. It's the perfect comforting meal for a weekend brunch or a light weeknight dinner. This recipe focuses on bringing out the rich, savory flavors of the sauce while keeping the preparation straightforward. Let's dive into this deliciousness!
What You'll Need:
This recipe provides a foundation; feel free to adjust the spices and vegetables to your liking.
Ingredients:
- 6 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Crusty bread, for serving (highly recommended!)
Instructions:
Step 1: Building the Flavor Base
- Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron works beautifully!) over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 2: The "Purgatory" Sauce
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor becomes. This is where the magic happens!
Step 3: Introducing the Eggs
- Once the sauce has simmered sufficiently, create six wells in the tomato sauce, large enough to hold an egg.
- Carefully crack an egg into each well, being mindful not to break the yolks.
- Cover the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the egg whites are set and the yolks are cooked to your liking. If you prefer runny yolks, cook for a shorter time.
Step 4: Serving and Enjoying!
- Carefully remove the skillet from the heat.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.
- Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping into the delicious sauce. The bread soaks up the flavour perfectly!
Tips for the Perfect Eggs in Purgatory:
- Use good quality tomatoes: The flavor of the sauce is heavily reliant on the tomatoes. San Marzano tomatoes are a classic choice.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: Make sure there's enough space between the eggs to allow them to cook evenly.
- Adjust the spice level: Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preference.
- Experiment with additions: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or even chorizo would make fantastic additions to this dish.
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