jamon

There are some recipes that prove to be very difficult. One of them is Tyler Florence's gallina de madre, or mother hen toast. I found the recipe in Tyler Florence's Family Meal cookbook and on the Food Network's website. However, I was shocked by how distinct the two recipes were: the cooking temperature, technique, and bechamel sauce were all different.

I gave the online recipe a try, and to my disappointment, I had a runny egg white mess. I experimented with the one in the book and while the results were better, I knew this breakfast dish must be easier to make.

After my fifth slice of toast, I finally mastered a technique that created a perfectly cooked egg with salty jamon and creamy bechamel. Basically, I didn't make the jamon cup, instead I removed a little bit of bread in the center, and nestled the egg inside. No one realized I cheated! Don't let this tasty toast scare you, keep reading for the recipe and my tips.

I'm not much of a Monte Cristo fan. The classic sandwich straddles breakfast and lunch by placing ham, turkey, and cheese between two slices of French toast. The entire thing is topped with powdered sugar and jam resulting in a dish that to me, is messy and too sweet.

However, when I came across this Serrano ham and manchego cheese variation, my love for all things Spanish overcame me, and I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did, this sandwich is wonderful!

The quince paste isn't as cloying as strawberry preserves and the addition of mustard provides a delightfully savory tang. Although the bread is dipped in egg before being placed in the saute pan, it tastes more like a really crispy grilled ham and cheese than French toast. To check out the recipe, read more