BLT&E with Harissa Mayo
This gussied-up version of a BLT boasts a poached egg whose runny yolk acts as a lusty sauce for the sandwich. Lightly dressed bitter greens stand in for the traditional lettuce; their bite provides a nice counterpoint to the richness of the egg. They’re dressed just as you would a salad, so if you have extra, just serve them on the side.
Recipe information
Yield
SERVES 2
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Combine the mayonnaise and harissa in a small bowl and stir until blended. Set aside.
Step 2
Cut the bacon in half crosswise, arrange in a medium skillet, and put the skillet over medium heat. Cook, turning the bacon frequently, until cooked through and crispy but still a little chewy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
Step 3
Bring about 4 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Lower the heat to a bare simmer and add 1 tablespoon of the vinegar. Crack an egg into a small cup or ramekin and, holding the cup just above the surface of the water, carefully pour the egg into the water. Repeat with the second egg. Cook the eggs until the whites have cooked through but the yolk is still runny, 2 to 3 minutes. (To check, carefully lift an egg out of the water with a slotted spoon. Prod the white—it should feel firm and bouncy all the way through.) With a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs to another paper towel-lined plate.
Step 4
In a small bowl, combine the frisee or radicchio, the remaining 1 teaspoon vinegar, the shallot, and the olive oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper and toss to blend.
Step 5
Toast or grill the bread to your liking, then spread the mayo evenly over two pieces. Top with the bacon, tomato, frisee, and egg. Sprinkle the egg with a little salt and pepper, then top with the other two pieces of bread.
Step 6
Serve right away (with plenty of napkins).
Note
Step 7
Harissa is a chile-and-spice paste that hails from North Africa. For a slightly different effect, you could substitute a mild Thai curry paste or other Asian chile sauce.
