Egg in a Basket

What You Need:                  

• Egg
• Slice of bread
• Skillet
• Round cookie cutter or drinking glass
• Spatula
• Bowl
• Butter knife
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Optional: salt, pepper

What You Do:

1. Tell your child that a fried egg inside a hole in toast is known as “Egg in a Basket” or "Egg in a Nest" in England.  It’s also sometimes called “Toad in a Hole,” although a complete “Toad in a Hole” dish usually includes sausages as well. When this project is finished, ask your child what he would name it!   
2. Let your child use the round cookie cutter or open end of a drinking glass to cut a hole in the middle of the bread. Help him carefully remove the inner piece. When it's extracted, one of you can eat it!
3. Help your child crack the egg into the bowl without breaking the yolk.
4. Your turn: heat up the skillet over medium heat. Let your child drop a tablespoon of butter into the pan. Pour the oil into the heated pan.
5. The rest of the butter can be spread on both sides of the bread. Gently place the bread in the pan.
6. Help your child carefully pour the egg into the hole in the bread. You and your child can decide if you want to break the yolk, and if you want to sprinkle salt and pepper on the egg.
7. Give the egg a moment to set, then carefully flip the egg and bread over with a spatula and fry the other side for just a minute.
8. Serve on a plate. What does your child think it looks like? A toad peeking out of a hole, an egg in a nest or basket, or something else entirely? Either way, it’s sure to taste delicious—enjoy!