Whip up a delightful Bird in a Nest—an egg baked into a slice of bread with bacon, goat cheese and a special spice blend, paired with spinach and fresh berries for a perfect start of the day!
This easy recipe is cleverly called a ‘Bird in the Nest’ because you plop the egg ‘bird’ right in the middle of the bread that is then toasted to a golden brown ‘nest’.
You will notice that we have two versions of this recipe. This recipe is for the ‘Her’ version and is shown on the right. The ‘His’ version, shown on the left, includes two slices of bacon instead of one with additional goat cheese and seasonings and no spinach (my husband is not a fan). You can decide how you like it. If you want more eggs, just make another hole and use two eggs for a Birds in a Nest recipe!
Table of Contents
Reasons to Love This Toast
- This fancy yet easy Bird in a Nest recipe makes an impressive brunch option that will delight guests.
- The savory Bird in a Nest, paired with fresh berries, creates a delightful balance of flavors that satisfy diverse taste buds.
- The Bird in a Nest recipe is highly versatile, allowing you to personalize it with various cheeses, herbs, or additional veggies.
Recipe Ingredients
- Crumbled Goat Cheese: Tangy and creamy with a slightly crumbly texture, melting slightly to add richness.
- Bacon: Smoky, salty, and crispy, providing a savory crunch that complements the soft egg and cheese.
- Knorr Seasoning: A balanced blend of herbs and spices that adds subtle and savory notes.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Ham and Cheese Delight: Swap the bacon for thinly sliced ham. Layer the ham under or over the egg in the center of the bread. This adds a delicate, smoky flavor and pairs wonderfully with melted cheese for a delicious twist on the classic Bird in a Nest.
- Butter Substitute: If you prefer, you can substitute the 1 teaspoon of butter with unsalted butter. This swap provides a creamier, more delicate flavor.
- Knorr Seasoning: If you don’t have this Knorr seasoning, you can use salt and pepper, Italian seasoning or make it your own with your favorite seasoning.
How to Make a Bird in a Nest
Step #1: With a round cutter, approximately 2 inches in diameter, cut a hole in the center of your slice of bread. (This can be done using a knife, a shot glass, or a cookie cutter.)
Step #2: Cook and crumble as many slices of bacon as desired.
Step #3: Heat on medium ½ teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet and then add the spinach leaves.
Step #4: Sauté the spinach leaves for about 1 minute, until just glistening. Remove from heat and arrange in a thin layer on your plate to create a bed for the nest.
Step #5: Add the remaining ½ teaspoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of butter to the skillet and heat on medium until sizzling.
Step #6: Place the slice of bread and the round piece you cut out in the skillet to toast.
Step #7: Immediately break the egg over the hole in the slice of bread and let the yolk drop right into the hole. The remaining white can be dropped around the top side of the toast around the hole.
Step #8: Let it cook for one to two minutes, checking the underside until it is lightly browned (toasted).
Step #9: With a large spatula, carefully flip the slice of bread and egg completely over to cook the other side. (Don’t worry if the egg gets a little messy, as I tell my kids, “It still eats the same!”)
Step #10: Also, flip the small round piece of bread to toast the other side as well.
Step #11: Let the underside cook for one to two minutes (depending on how runny or firm you prefer your yolk to be).
Step #12: While it’s cooking, sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese and bacon all over the top.
Step #13: Shake the seasonings all over the top of the bread to taste.
Step #14: Remove from heat, and carefully plate your “Nest” on the sautéed spinach. It’s ready to eat!
Expert Tips
- Season the Egg: Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper directly onto the egg right after cracking it into the bread slices. This seasons the egg thoroughly and enhances its flavor as it cooks.
- Prevent Egg Spillage: Press down on the bread with the back of a spoon before cracking the egg to slightly flatten the center. This helps keep the egg in place and prevents it from spilling over the edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can bake Bird in a Nest. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the bread on a baking sheet lined with foil. Then, add the egg in the center holes, and bake for 10-12 minutes until the egg is cooked to your preference.
You can also use a biscuit cutter, a round cookie cutter, or even the lid of a jar to cut the center holes out of each slice of bread. Save the centers for breadcrumbs, or toast them alongside the bread to dip into your yolk.
Storage Info
To store the Bird in a Nest, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 2 days.
To reheat, use a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes or microwave on medium power for 30-45 seconds. This ensures the egg remains intact. Reheating in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes is also effective to maintain crispiness.
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Bird in a Nest Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1½ cups raw spinach - loose leafed
- 1 slice Italian bread
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese
- 1 slice bacon - cooked and crumbled
- Knorr Secret d’Aromes seasoning to taste
Instructions
- With a round cutter, approximately 2 inches in diameter, cut a hole in the center of your slice of bread. (This can be done using a knife, a shot glass, or a cookie cutter.)
- Cook and crumble as many slices of bacon as desired.
- Heat on medium ½ teaspoon of olive oil in a skillet and then add the spinach leaves.
- Sauté the spinach leaves for about 1 minute, until just glistening. Remove from heat and arrange in a thin layer on your plate to create a bed for the nest.
- Add the remaining ½ teaspoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of butter to the skillet and heat on medium until sizzling.
- Place the slice of bread and the round piece you cut out in the skillet to toast.
- Immediately break the egg over the hole in the slice of bread and let the yolk drop right into the hole. The remaining white can be dropped around the top side of the toast around the hole.
- Let it cook for one to two minutes, checking the underside until it is lightly browned (toasted).
- With a large spatula, carefully flip the slice of bread and egg completely over to cook the other side. (Don’t worry if the egg gets a little messy, as I tell my kids, “It still eats the same!”)
- Also, flip the small round piece of bread to toast the other side as well.
- Let the underside cook for one to two minutes (depending on how runny or firm you prefer your yolk to be).
- While it's cooking, sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese and bacon all over the top.
- Shake the seasonings all over the top of the bread to taste.
- Remove from heat, and carefully plate your “Nest” on the sautéed spinach. It’s ready to eat!
NOTES
Nutrition
Such a cozy dish, I added a little more cheese on top and it was amazing.