Eggs in Purgatory

Phew! After a weekend of non-stop Thanksgiving cooking and baking, I was craving something light, quick and easy for dinner on Tuesday night. Make it meatless and it'd be even better. I've been meaning to try this egg dish for several weeks now--I think it's mainly the name that appeals to me and makes me smile since anyone who lives with teens knows that some days you definitely find yourself in purgatory, if not something even farther south. But I digress... Although there were lots of versions of this recipe that showed it served in a large dish, family style, I knew the kids would like the individual servings in the ramekins. Even better, I was able to use up some of my veggie leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner so I whipped up the onions, carrots and potatoes with the canned tomatoes and allowed it all to simmer while the oven heated. Then cracked a couple of eggs on top and, voila, dinner in minutes. Great rustic, peasanty food for a cool fall night after a weekend of overindulgence.

Eggs in Purgatory
serves two

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 onion, peeled and chopped

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1 potato, peeled and chopped

1 large can diced tomatoes

1 tsp minced garlic

4 eggs

chopped thyme or basil for garnish (optional)

Heat olive oil in a frying pan and gently saute onion for about 5 minutes. Add carrot, potato and garlic and cook for another 5 minutes. Add can of diced tomatoes and gently simmer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 375 degrees. Spoon warm tomato mixture into ramekins and make slight indentation on top to allow for egg. Carefully crack each egg and place it in the indentation without breaking the yolk. Place in oven and cook for approximately 15 minutes or until white is set.

Rest of the week

Oct 8 Turkey, gravy, brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole, roasted potatoes and carrots, sweet corn, pecan tarts, Corbin's birthday carrot cake

Oct 9 Chicken caesar club sandwiches, roast beef sandwiches with roasted garlic and horseradish mayonnaise, cranberry pecan wild rice salad, caesar salad, Greek salad, caramel apple streusel cheesecake bars (technically this was all brunch but we were still stuffed so it was dinner too)

Oct 10 Out for dinner

Oct 11 Eggs in purgatory with salad and toast