Savory Spinach and Poached Eggs on Toast with Gruyère Sauce
Elevate your breakfast game with this delightful recipe for Savory Spinach and Poached Eggs on Toast with Gruyère Sauce. This dish features perfectly poached eggs nestled on a bed of sautéed spinach and green onions, topped with a creamy and rich Gruyère cheese sauce. It's a nutritious, flavorful, and satisfying meal that is perfect for brunch or a cozy morning at home. Enjoy the combination of textures and flavors that this recipe brings to your table, making it an instant favorite for you and your loved ones.
2
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
cornstarch
2 teaspoons (mixed to a paste with milk)
2% low-fat milk
1/3 cup (divided for sauce preparation)
butter
2 tablespoons (for cheese sauce)
gruyère cheese
3 tablespoons (grated)
kosher salt
to taste (for seasoning)
black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
nutmeg
1 dash (optional)
olive oil
1/2 tablespoon (for sautéing)
green onions
2 (chopped)
fresh baby spinach
2 cups (for sautéing)
dill weed
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
vinegar
1 teaspoon (for poaching eggs)
eggs
2 (or 1 cup Egg Beaters egg substitute)
whole wheat bread
2 slices (toasted)
paprika
1 dash (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the cheese sauce. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with about 1/4 cup of the milk until it forms a smooth paste. In a nonstick saucepan, add the remaining milk and butter, then bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat.
2
Gradually stir the boiling milk into the cornstarch mixture, then return it to the saucepan. Continue to cook while stirring until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Gruyère cheese, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional nutmeg. Cover with parchment paper to prevent a skin from forming and set aside to keep warm.
3
For the spinach, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped green onions (or leeks) and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened. Incorporate the fresh baby spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes until wilted. Drain the mixture using a sieve to remove excess moisture, then season with dill, kosher salt, and black pepper. Return the mixture to the pan and keep warm.
4
Next, poach the eggs. Fill a medium frying pan with water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the vinegar to the water. Carefully crack the eggs into the simmering water and cook gently for 3-4 minutes, spooning hot water over the yolks to ensure even cooking. After the desired doneness, use a slotted spoon to lift the eggs out of the water and drain on a paper towel.
5
Preheat your broiler. Place the toasted slices of whole wheat bread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Evenly distribute the spinach and green onion mixture over each slice of toast. Create a small indentation in the spinach mixture using the back of a spoon and carefully place a poached egg in each hollow.
6
Finally, spoon the warm Gruyère cheese sauce generously over each poached egg and lightly dust with paprika. Broil for just a few minutes until the tops are lightly browned and serve immediately to enjoy this delicious breakfast.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Spinach and Poached Eggs on Toast recipe?
It is a nutritious breakfast or brunch dish featuring poached eggs on a bed of sautéed spinach and green onions, served on whole wheat toast with a rich Gruyère cheese sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 2 people.
What ingredients are needed for the Gruyère sauce?
You will need cornstarch, 2% low-fat milk, butter, grated Gruyère cheese, kosher salt, black pepper, and an optional dash of nutmeg.
Can I use an egg substitute for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute the 2 whole eggs with 1 cup of Egg Beaters egg substitute.
How do I prevent a skin from forming on the cheese sauce?
Cover the sauce with parchment paper while it is set aside to keep warm to prevent a skin from forming.
What is the best way to prepare the spinach mixture?
Sauté chopped green onions or leeks in olive oil until softened, then add fresh baby spinach and cook until wilted.
Why should I drain the spinach after cooking?
Draining the spinach mixture with a sieve removes excess moisture, ensuring your toast doesn't become soggy.
What spices are used to season the spinach?
The spinach is seasoned with dill weed, kosher salt, and black pepper.
What is the purpose of adding vinegar to the poaching water?
Adding vinegar to the simmering water helps the egg whites coagulate faster for a cleaner poached egg.
How long should I poach the eggs?
Poach the eggs gently for 3-4 minutes, depending on your preferred level of yolk doneness.
How do I ensure the egg yolks cook evenly while poaching?
Spoon some of the hot simmering water over the egg yolks while they are cooking.
What type of bread is recommended for this dish?
Whole wheat bread is recommended, and it should be toasted before assembly.
How do I assemble the toast and eggs?
Place the spinach mixture on the toast, create a small indentation with a spoon, and nestle the poached egg inside the hollow.
Is there a final cooking step after assembly?
Yes, after adding the cheese sauce and paprika, place the dish under the broiler for a few minutes until lightly browned.
Can I use leeks instead of green onions?
Yes, chopped leeks are a great alternative to green onions for the sautéed base.
What garnish is used for this recipe?
A light dusting of paprika is used as a garnish before broiling.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly.
How much cornstarch is used for the Gruyère sauce?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of cornstarch mixed with milk to form a paste.
What type of milk is used in the sauce?
The recipe specifies 1/3 cup of 2% low-fat milk.
How much butter is required for the sauce?
The sauce requires 2 tablespoons of butter.
How much Gruyère cheese is needed?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of grated Gruyère cheese.
How much spinach is needed?
You will need 2 cups of fresh baby spinach.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 15 distinct ingredients used in this recipe.
Can I use dried dill instead of fresh?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of dill weed, which typically refers to the dried herb.
How much olive oil is used for sautéing?
Use 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil for the sautéing step.
Is the nutmeg mandatory?
No, the dash of nutmeg is optional for the cheese sauce.
What equipment is needed for poaching eggs?
A medium frying pan or saucepan and a slotted spoon for lifting the eggs are needed.
Should the sauce be thickened before adding cheese?
Yes, cook the milk and cornstarch mixture until it thickens for about 2 minutes before stirring in the cheese.
Is this a healthy breakfast option?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy meal featuring whole wheat bread and fresh spinach.
How should this dish be served?
It should be served immediately after broiling to enjoy the flavors and textures at their best.