📝 About This Recipe
Brighten up your kitchen with this whimsical breakfast that turns a simple egg into a glowing morning sun. Using a vibrant yellow bell pepper as a natural frame, we create a perfectly contained sunny-side-up egg surrounded by 'rays' of crispy toast and fresh fruit. It is a nutritionally balanced, visually stunning meal that transforms the most important meal of the day into a playful culinary adventure for kids and adults alike.
🥗 Ingredients
The Sun Base
- 2 pieces Large Eggs (at room temperature)
- 1 large Yellow Bell Pepper (cut into 1/2-inch thick rings)
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter (for the pan)
- 1 pinch Kosher Salt (to taste)
The Solar Rays
- 2 slices Whole Wheat Bread (toasted and cut into thin triangles)
- 2 slices Cheddar Cheese (cut into small triangles)
- 1 small Carrot (peeled and cut into thin matchsticks)
The Sky and Clouds
- 1/2 cup Fresh Blueberries (washed and dried)
- 4 tablespoons Greek Yogurt (plain or vanilla)
- 2 sprigs Fresh Chives (finely snipped for 'grass')
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Wash the yellow bell pepper and slice it crosswise to create two perfect 1/2-inch thick rings from the widest part of the pepper. Remove any seeds or white membranes from the inside of the rings.
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2
Place a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat and add the butter, swirling it around until it is melted and slightly foamy.
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3
Place the two pepper rings into the skillet. Let them cook for about 2 minutes on one side to soften slightly and create a flat seal against the pan.
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4
Flip the pepper rings over. Carefully crack one egg into a small ramekin first, then gently pour it into the center of the first pepper ring. Repeat for the second egg.
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5
If any egg white leaks out from under the ring, don't worry! Just let it set for a moment and then use a heat-resistant spatula to tuck it back toward the ring or trim it off later.
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6
Season the yolks with a tiny pinch of salt. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 3-4 minutes. This steams the top of the egg so the white sets perfectly while keeping the yolk bright and runny.
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7
While the eggs are cooking, toast your bread slices until golden brown. Cut each slice into 4-6 long, thin triangles to act as the sun's rays.
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8
Prepare your serving plates. Place the blueberries at the top of the plate to represent the sky and use a spoon to dollop small 'clouds' of Greek yogurt among the berries.
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9
Check the eggs; once the whites are opaque and firm but the yolks are still wobbly, use a wide spatula to carefully lift each pepper-egg 'sun' onto the center of the plates.
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10
Arrange the toast triangles and cheddar cheese triangles radiating outward from the pepper ring to create the sun's rays.
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11
Scatter the carrot matchsticks between the toast rays for extra color and texture.
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12
Sprinkle the snipped chives at the bottom of the plate to look like a field of green grass beneath the rising sun. Serve immediately while warm!
💡 Chef's Tips
Use a heavy-bottomed non-stick pan to ensure the pepper rings sit flat, which prevents the egg from leaking out. If the egg yolk is off-center, gently nudge it with a spoon in the first 30 seconds of cooking. For a dairy-free version, use olive oil instead of butter and omit the cheese and yogurt. To make it even more engaging for kids, use a straw to poke two small holes in the yolk for 'eyes' just before serving. Always cook on medium-low heat; high heat will brown the pepper and toughen the egg whites before the yolk is ready.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair with a small glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for a double dose of vitamin C. Serve with a side of crispy turkey bacon 'tree trunks' at the bottom of the plate. Add a small bowl of honey for dipping the toast 'rays'. Complement the meal with a warm cup of cocoa or herbal fruit tea. Add a few strawberry slices cut into heart shapes for extra love on the plate.