Recipe video above. Shirred Eggs are a type of baked eggs, and are a super-simple way to turn the humble egg into an enticing meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Eggs are cracked over a bed of garlicky mushroom and spinach in small dishes, topped with a dash cream and parmesan then baked until just-set.Serve for breakfast, brunch, or as a light meal anytime of the day! This makes:- Standard breakfast for 4 people with bread (double up on eggs for more filling option)- Big breakfast for 2 people (make double in larger ramekin)
Preheat oven to 200°C / 390°F (180°C fan). Lightly oil or butter four ramekins – 300ml / 10oz (1 1/4 cups).
Cook mushrooms: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook mushrooms until starting to go golden on the edges, 3 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook for further 1 minute until mushrooms and garlic are golden.
Wilt spinach: Add spinach and stir for 30 seconds, just until wilted.
Fill ramekins: Divide mushroom mixture evenly into the ramekins. Make a slight dent in the middle, crack eggs in (yolk should settle in centre). Sprinkle each egg with pinch of salt and pepper, drizzle with cream, pile on parmesan.
Bake: Bake in oven for 12 - 15 minutes until egg whites are just set and yolks are cooked to your liking (I like runny!). Check it at 12 minutes - hotter ovens, lower walled ramekins etc can make them cook faster. Take out of oven slightly undercooked as egg will keep cooking.
Paprika: Sprinkle smoked paprika and chives on top, serve immediately with warm bread for dunking!
Notes
1. Fridge cold eggs - I find fridge cold eggs work best if you want runny yolks with set egg whites. With room temp eggs, yolks and whites cook in a more similar time, so by the time the whites are set the yolks are mostly set (in my personal egg baking experience!).If your eggs are room temp, then just bake for ~ 12 min."Large eggs" are 55 - 60g (Australia) / 2 oz (US). Industry standard, cartons are labelled as such.