Eye in the Middle toast with an egg cooked in the middle.

Eye in the Middle is toast with an egg cooked in the middle.

Today’s guest on Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders is Ben Holt, Associate Director of The Grand Avenue Club (https://grandavenueclub.org/), which is a downtown Milwaukee nonprofit that helps adults experiencing mental illness achieve employment, educational, or enrichment goals.

You can also listen to the podcast version of this interview and cooking episode –

It’s a simple yet delightful dish, known by many fun names! Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Egg in a Hole
• Egg in a Basket
• Toad in the Hole

• Bird’s Nest
• One-Eyed Jack
• Sunshine Toast
• Moon Over Miami
• Gas House Egg or Gas House Toast
• Peek-a-Boo Toast
• Pirate’s Eye
• Hole-in-One
• Bullseye Toast
• Moon over Miami

Eye in the Middle involves cooking an egg in the center of a slice of bread. This process creates a satisfying combination of crispy toast and a perfectly cooked egg. Here’s a breakdown:

How to Make Eye in the Middle:

Ingredients:

• A slice of bread (any kind you prefer)
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp of Butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation for Eye in the Middle:

• Cut a hole in the center of the bread using a small round cutter, a glass, or even a knife.
• Keep the cutout for toasting if you’d like.
• Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tbsp of Butter
• Place the bread in the pan and crack an egg into the hole.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Cook for 2–3 minutes on one side. Carefully flip the dish. Cook the other side for another 1–2 minutes.
• Adjust the time based on how runny you like your yolk.
• Serve as is, or garnish with herbs like parsley, chives, or a sprinkle of cheese.
• Pair with bacon, avocado, or a side salad for a heartier meal.

Eye in the Middle Variations:

• Cheesy Eye in the Middle: Add grated cheese on top of the egg as it cooks.
• Avocado Twist: Spread smashed avocado on the bread before cooking for extra creaminess.
• Sweet Version: Use cinnamon sugar on the bread and serve with syrup or fruit for a dessert-style dish.

Fun Facts:

• Origins: The exact origin is unclear, but it has been a classic comfort food in many cultures for decades.
• Pop Culture: Eye in the Middle has appeared in films. One example is Moonstruck (1987), where Cher’s character makes it for breakfast.

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If you like this recipe for Eye in the Middle, you should try another one. It is our recipe for Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms.

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