Italian Long Hot Peppers Recipe

Moonstruck Eggs with Fried Italian Long Hot Peppers

Whether you call 'em Egg-in-the-Basket or Egg-in-a-Hole, they'll always be "Moonstruck" Eggs to me.

Moonstruck Eggs with Fried Italian Long Hot Peppers

This post was originally published June 23, 2015. I've updated the text and photographs and tweaked the recipe just a smidge.

When I first saw Moonstruck, back in '87, I fell in love! From Ronny Cammareri baking, "bread, bread, bread", to the splash of a sugar cube hitting celebratory Spumante, and the "just delicious" oatmeal that Ronny enjoys with the family – all great scenes, but none more memorable than when Rose prepares Moonstruck Eggs (aka egg-in-a-hole) for her daughter, Loretta, played by Cher.

Moonstruck Eggs with Fried Italian Long Hot Peppers

Man, I wanted a seat at that table! I could imagine the taste of Rose's flawlessly fried egg cradled in its perfectly toasty bread, topped with spicy Italian long hots.

Yep…I really loved this movie… and this meal!

Moonstruck Eggs with Fried Italian Long Hot Peppers

Every component of this dish is gratifying, but I have to say – these hot peppers make the meal! Hot and delicious – especially when fried in a little butter, whole, with skin and seeds in tact, their flavor is robust – packing a perfect punch. I like to place them in the pan just as the butter begins to melt, and by the time the eggs are done – the peppers are ready too!

INGREDIENTS:

Thick-sliced Italian bread
Butter
Extra large eggs
Fried Italian long hot peppers (cayenne or Calabrian chili peppers)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Olive oil
Fresh rosemary

HOW TO MAKE MOONSTRUCK EGGS:

Use any of your favorite crusty breads or focaccia.
Slice it up thick.
Cut a hole out of the center.
Over medium heat, place a frying pan.
Add a big pat of butter to the pan and add your hot peppers.
Once the butter is melted, fry one side of the bread.
When it's sufficiently golden, flip to the other side.
Break an egg in the center, and fry until the egg is cooked but the yolk still soft.
Top with a couple of hot peppers, a drizzle of olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper.

Moonstruck Eggs with Fried Italian Long Hot Peppers

Buon Appetito!

MORE BREAKFAST IDEAS:

Strawberry Hazelnut Sweet Cream Scones

Montreal Style Bagels

Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup Pancakes with Whipped Cream and Blackberries

Flavored Cream Cheese 3 Ways

Description

Whether you call 'em Egg-in-the-Basket or Egg-in-a-Hole, they'll always be "Moonstruck" Eggs to me.

2 slices Italian bread, cut thick
2 Tbsp. butter
2 extra large eggs
2 – 4 fried Italian long hot peppers (cayenne or Calabrian chili peppers)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. fresh rosemary
Salt and freshly ground pepper

In center of your sliced bread, gently cut a hole. Remove the cut pieces and set aside.
Over medium heat, place a big pat of butter in your pan and add the hot peppers.
Once the butter is melted, add the bread to the pan and fry the first side.
When it's sufficiently golden, flip to the other side.
Break an egg in the center, and fry until cooked but yolk is soft.
Top with a couple of hot peppers, a drizzle of oil, rosemary and salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy!

Keywords: Moonstruck Eggs, fried eggs, egg-in-a-basket, egg-in-a-hole, breakfast, brunch, comfort food, Italian, hot peppers

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