Italian Fried Eggs

I am always looking for new / different ideas for breakfast. I recently acquired a great book by Silvana Franco called Family Food. I got this recipe from there. Its quick, easy and really tasty too. You can adjust the quantities to make more than 1 serving.

Serves 1

1 plum tomato, thickly sliced
1 thick slice of ciabbata / other rustic bread1
2 tblsp olive oil
1 large egg
1 smal clove garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 small red chilli, thinly sliced (optional) but it gives a lovely colour and flavour
large hanful of snipped chives
1/2 tsp of balsamic vinegar
sea salt and black pepper

1. Heat a ridged cast iron griddle pan. Lightly the tomato slices and the bread with a little olive oil. Cook the tomato for at least 5 minutes. When they are nearly ready, toast the bread in the same pan until nicely bar marked.

2. In the meantime, pour a little olive oil into a small non stick frying pan and crack in the egg. After a minute or so add the garlic, and chilli if using. Cook for a further couple of minutes spooning hot oil over the egg until it is cooked to your liking.

3. Place griddled bread on a plate and quickly spoon the tomatoes on top.

4. Throw the chives into the egg pan and splash in balsamic vinegar. Season generously, the slide egg onto the tomatoes and drizzle over the pan juices. Serve straight away, with a good cup of tea..

Note from Cook Book : A fried egg is a very personal thing. For Silvana the key is a good crispy base, but feel free to cook yours the way you like it.