friday breakfast: eggs in an onion "ring"

One of the fascinating things about being a young professional in our nation's capital is that you inevitably meet a diehard supporter of every cause imaginable.  There seems to be a representative for every 501(c)3 on earth in this town, and a social event/fundraiser/awareness campaign for each.  (Relax, people.  This is not a post about the Kony campaign.)  Want to provide books to children in Appalachia?  Come to this book drive happy hour in which every book you donate gets you a free beer!  Concerned with the rescue and rehabilitation of injured birds?  There's a open bar on Wednesday for that!  $20 for all you can drink!  (Side note: who does that on a weeknight?  I can't.)  Whether it's a shopping night, fashion show, powderpuff game, black-tie gala, or simply a drinking event disguised as a "fundraiser", there is always something going on for the philanthrobetches in our fair city.

Please do not misunderstand - I do not mean to mock charity.  At all.  I understand that there are causes which, though very obscure to me, are near and dear to the hearts of many.  That doesn't make them any less important.  So, I am a willing participant in these causes, mostly because I am always happy to support friends in endeavors that are important to them, even if it is something with which I am not particularly concerned.  Plus, it is a great way to meet people and be social.  And it also makes me feel slightly less guilty about going out during the week, when I am really better off parked on the sofa with a mug of tea in one hand and the remote control in the other. 

But if there's one cause that everyone can come together for - one thing that is important to most (non-sociopathic) people - it is sick children.  My friend Patti is in med school and is involved with an awesome charity to benefit kids with cancer.  If I can't shave my head for them, I can certainly have a couple of beverages like a responsible adult while plunking down a modest donation for their cause.  So last night, that is what I did.

Which, I promise, has something to do with today's breakfast.  As I was leaving the bar, I was overcome with the most amazing smell in all of Glover Park.  No, not Rocklands Barbeque, though that's a close second.  I'm talking about Z-Burger's onion rings.

Y'all.  I really like onion rings - I'd choose onion rings over french fries any day of the week.  I think I get this from my mom.  The smell of Z-Burger's onion rings are the yin to my yang whenever I'm walking by, and I swear the smell is even more intoxicating after midnight.  Luckily, they are just solidly mediocre, so I don't have to worry about a little late night rendezvous with the deep fryer.  And obviously, onion rings are battered in flour, so even if I wanted them, I would have to say no.

This morning when I woke up, I could have sworn I could still smell the onion rings.  Either the winds are very strong out of the southeast, or I am still FOMO over the onion rings.  So I had an idea.  I have seen some cool things recently about eggs cooked in rings of bacon.  But, I don't like bacon, and I don't eat meat on Fridays of Lent, anyway.  So how eggs in an onion "ring"?

This is so simple it doesn't need a recipe, so I'll just give you the method.  Slice an onion in half-inch segments and use the outer-most ring.  Spray a non-reactive* pan with cooking spray and place the onion in the pan over medium heat.  While it is sizzling away, turn on your broiler.  After about four minutes, flip the onion and see if it is sufficiently browned.  If it is not, turn it back over and let it cook some more.  If it is, crack an egg inside the onion ring, brown side up.  Season with salt and pepper.**  Let the egg cook for a minute or two before transferring to the broiler and broiling until set and you've reached desired doneness.  I think mine cooked about three minutes under the broiler, but next time I will let it cook a little less, as the yolk wasn't quite runny enough for me.  Remove from the oven and trim any egg from outside the "ring" by using a knife.

*Do not use non-stick in the oven.  The heat will ruin the coating.  Use cast iron or stainless steel instead.
**I also put some thyme on mine (because I love the combination of eggs and thyme), but you could also leave the herb out, maybe add some parmesan or goat cheese, or get crazy with spices.  The possibilities are endless! 

It may sound weird, but this was a really cool way to eat breakfast.  It would also make a really impressive option for a brunch buffet the next time you are entertaining, or even just an easy weekend breakfast.

Have a great weekend, all!  I am off to a Mexican fiesta tonight for my friend's birthday.  Thank goodness for corn tortillas, right?  ¡Feliz cumpleaños, Amanda!