4 large ripe tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped
Salt
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
A good pinch of crushed chilli peppers (dried chilli pepper flakes)
8 large eggs
8 slices of chorizo
50g (2oz) manchego or Parmesan, grated
4 slices of bread, toasted and buttered, to serve
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas 4. Put a frying pan on a medium-low heat, add the olive oil then add the skinned, chopped tomatoes, see my tip, above left. Season with a good pinch of salt and cook for about 15 minutes, until the tomato sauce is thick and viscous.
Remove from the heat, stir in the chopped parsley and the crushed chilli peppers. Divide the tomato sauce between four ovenproof ramekins and break 2 eggs into each dish. Place a slice of the chorizo on top of each egg and divide the grated manchego or Parmesan cheese, whichever you’re using, between the ramekins.
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the whites are set, but the yolks are just ever so slightly soft. Just before the eggs are ready, toast the slices of bread and butter them.
Remove the eggs from the oven and serve with the buttered toast.
Preheat the oven to 425˚F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the butter and water in a saucepan and bring to a steady boil until the butter is melted. Remove from the heat and add the flour, beating with a wooden spoon until a dough comes together. Place back over the heat and beat the dough in the saucepan for about 40 seconds. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Beat the eggs in a small bowl. Add the eggs little at a time, beat thoroughly with a wooden spoon until the egg is completely incorporated after each addition. You are looking to have a consistency that will hold its shape when piped. It should be smooth, shiny and just about fall from the spoon. You might not use all the egg.
Using a spatula, scoop the dough into a large piping bag fitted with a large round piping nozzle and pipe 10cm lines on the lined baking sheets, leaving about 4cm in between each line to allow for spreading. Brush each one with a little leftover beaten egg.
Place in the oven, reducing the heat to 375˚F for approximately 25 minutes until they have risen and are golden and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack and use a sharp pointed knife to pierce three holes on the underside of the buns. Allow to cool completely before filling.
For the crème pâtissière, split the vanilla pod in half and scrape out the seeds. Add this to a medium saucepan with the milk and place over a medium high heat. Bring to the boil and then turn off the heat. Scoop out the vanilla pod.
While the milk is coming to the boil, place the sugar, cornflour and egg yolks in a large mixing bowl and beat with a whisk until thick and pale.
Pour the hot milk into the bowl, whisking quickly and continuously until it is smooth and incorporated. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and place over a medium heat beating continuously until it has thickened.
Transfer the crème pâtissière to a cold bowl, create a flat surface with the back of a spatula and wipe the top with little butter (this will prevent a skin forming). Cover directly with cling film and allow to cool completely.
9 For the chocolate glaze, melt the dark chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of hot water. When the chocolate has melted remove the bowl from the heat and gently stir through the cream. Fold in the butter until you have a shiny, spreadable chocolate glaze.
10 To assemble the eclairs, fill a piping bag, fitted with a small round nozzle, with the crème pâtissière and pipe into the holes on the underside of the choux buns. Spread the chocolate glaze over the top of each eclair and sprinkle with the roasted hazelnuts. Serve straight away or the eclairs will keep for 1 or 2 days in the fridge.
A nice twist on eggs benedict – perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner.
Serves 4
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
4 x 100g salmon darns
A little olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 large eggs
1 tableps. white wine vinegar
4 thick slice of sourdough bread, toasted
Hollandaise Sauce
2 egg yolks
1½ tablesp. lemon juice
100g unsalted butter
Salt and pepper
To Serve:
Fresh dill and black pepper to serve Mixed salad
To Cook
To cook the salmon:
Heat the oven to Gas Mark 4, 180°C (350°F). Brush each piece of salmon with a little oil and season with salt and black pepper. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the pieces of salmon on it. Place in the oven and cook for 10 minutes.
To poach the eggs:
While the salmon is cooking poach the eggs. Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer and add the white wine vinegar and a little salt. Break two of the eggs into the water and simmer for 3-4 minutes until just cooked but still soft on the inside. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain well on kitchen paper. Repeat with the other two eggs.
To make the Hollandaise Sauce:
Put the egg yolks and lemon juice in a food processor and whizz until the mixture is creamy. Melt the butter in a saucepan until it is sizzling hot. Keep the processor running and slowly pour in the melted butter. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Place the toast on plates, top with the salmon darn and poached eggs. Spoon over the hollandaise sauce and sprinkle with dill and black pepper. Serve with a mixed salad.
Heat a little of the olive oil and sauté the mushrooms for a minute or two and season.
Set aside. Bring a shallow pan of water to simmer, add the vinegar and salt. Break one egg onto a saucer, stir the water to create a whirlpool, tip in the egg and leave to cook for 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, lift on to a plate. Repeat with the remaining eggs. Keep the water hot.
Heat the grill to high, arrange the mushrooms on the untoasted side of the bread, cover with the tomatoes and then the cheese, grill for 5-6 mins until the cheese has just melted. Place the toast on warmed plates. Slide all the eggs back into the hot water and leave for 30 seconds, lift out and drain on kitchen paper, then put one on top of toast. Season and serve.
These filled croissants are always a winner at breakfast and are an excellent way of using up day-old croissants. However, they also freeze very well and I often keep some tucked away for those unplanned mornings when we’ve been out late and something substantial is in order…
SERVES 4
8 rindless smoked streaky bacon rashers
4 butter croissants
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
4 eggs
FOR THE RED PEPPER RELISH:
2 vine-ripened tomatoes, finely chopped
1 roasted red pepper, finely chopped (from a jar or tin)
2 spring onions, finely chopped
2 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
large pinch of caster sugar
good pinch of dried chilli flakes
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 To make the roasted red pepper relish, place the tomatoes, red pepper, spring onions, basil, vinegar, sugar and chilli flakes in a saucepan and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have softened. Season to taste and leave to cool.
2 Preheat the grill to medium. Arrange the bacon on a grill rack and cook for 5–6 minutes, until crisp, turning once. Slice the croissants, then open them out and place the slices of crispy bacon inside.
3 Heat a large frying pan and add the oil, swirling to coat the base evenly. Break in the eggs and cook for 2 minutes (or longer if you prefer your eggs less runny), gently spooning the excess oil over the yolks to help them cook. Using a fish slice, carefully lift the eggs and put into the croissants, then top each one with a spoonful of the roasted red pepper relish to serve.
French omelette with mushrooms and bacon
Omelettes are so quick to make that it’s just not worth cooking a large one for two. Don’t be tempted to over-beat the omelette, as it will spoil the texture. A combination of wild mushrooms, such as shiitake, oyster and chanterelle, which most supermarkets are now stocking, would make this into a very special breakfast.
SERVES 1
2 tsp sunflower or rapeseed oil
1 large flat mushroom, sliced into
small pieces
1 smoked streaky bacon rasher, rind
removed and chopped
2 eggs
1 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
knob of unsalted butter
50g (2oz) Gruyère or Cheddar
cheese, thinly sliced (optional)
sea salt and freshly ground
black pepper
crusty French bread, to serve
1 Preheat the grill to medium and heat a non-stick frying pan with a base that’s about 20cm (8in) in diameter over a medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the oil and tip in the mushrooms and bacon. Season to taste, then sauté for 2–3 minutes, until tender. Tip into a bowl and set aside.
2 Wipe out the frying pan and return it to the hob. Break the eggs into a bowl and add the parsley, then season and lightly beat. When the pan is hot, add the remaining teaspoon of oil and the butter, swirling it around so that the base and sides get coated.
3 While the butter is still foaming, pour in the egg mixture, tilting the pan from side to side. Stir gently with a fork or wooden spatula, drawing the mixture from the sides to the centre as it sets. When the eggs have almost set, scatter over the cheese, if using, and place under the grill for 1–2 minutes, until the omelette has set and the cheese has melted.
4 Scatter the reserved mushrooms and bacon over the grilled omelette and tilt the pan away from you slightly. Use a palette knife to fold over a third of the omelette to the centre, then fold over the opposite third. Slide onto a warmed plate, allowing it to flip over so that the folded sides are underneath. Serve at once with some crusty bread.
Everybody, 9-90, should know how to make an omelette, then dinner is only 3 minutes away. Here it is step by step.
Ingredients
3 Eggs
3 teasp. water
½ tablesp. fresh herbs, chopped
Salt and black pepper
Knob of butter
Filling
A little butter
25g Oyster or button mushrooms, chopped
25g Farmhouse Cheese, grated
Alternative Filling:
Chopped tomatoes, basil, scallions
To Cook
Prepare the Filling
A non-stick omelette pan is essential. Beat the eggs, water, herbs and seasoning together. Heat the pan well, add the butter, pour in the egg mixture. Work quickly, drawing the egg to the centre of the pan as it begins to set. This allows the uncooked mixture to reach the base of the pan. Continue until you have the omelette cooked to your liking.
Place the filling along the centre of the omelette. Starting at the handle, fold over the omelette by 1/3.Slide the omelette down the pan.
Then, with your hand under the handle, tip the omelette onto a warm plate, making the third fold. Sprinkle with finely grated cheese (optional) and serve with mixed salad leaves.
Another great nutritious egg recipe from Daniel Davey, Sports Nutritionist
Serves 8 bars
Ingredients
175g porridge oats
2 large bananas, mashed
2 tablesp. honey
2 large eggs, beaten
To Cook
1. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4, 180°C (350°F).
2. In a large bowl mix all the ingredients, except your chosen toppings.
3. Transfer the mixture to a small baking tin, approximately 25cm x 20cm, lined with greaseproof paper. It mixture should be about 2½-3cm deep.
4. Add your choice of toppings and bake in a pre-heated oven for 30 minutes.
5. Allow to cool, slice and serve.
Odlums 
Foodaware 
(Serves 4)
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 large ripe tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped
Salt
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
A good pinch of crushed chilli peppers (dried chilli pepper flakes)
8 large eggs
8 slices of chorizo
50g (2oz) manchego or Parmesan, grated
4 slices of bread, toasted and buttered, to serve