The Humble Egg McMuffin – the Quintessential Breakfast Sandwich

How is it possible to have written so much about how to make the little breakfast sandwich, the egg mcmuffin?  Have I possibly made something that is quite simple – complicated?

I hope not because I think everyone should try their own homemade egg mcmuffin at least once in their life.  Notice, I said homemade.  No McDonald’s version, okay?

Egg McMuffins are great for a breakfast on the go or when you’re sitting down to the breakfast table.  Although you’re trying to do several last minute things at once when you make these, part of the solution is to have everything ready to assemble and all your ingredients on the counter (mise en place) before you start cooking.

In my list of “The Players”, I mention herbed butter.  I realize that’s probably not something you have on hand but it took the egg mcmuffin up to a whole new level, in my opinion.  So, if you don’t just happen to have some of this sitting around in your refrigerator, please feel free to substitute butter or mayo but if you do, use it!  Sooo good.

The Players

whole wheat mcmuffins

free range chicken eggs 

garden tomatoes

bacon (I really need to find a reasonable source for healthier bacon.)

cheese

alfalfa sprouts or lettuce

herbed butter left over from Zachary’s graduation dinner

Prep Work

1.  Place bacon on a cookie sheet and bake in oven at 400-425° for 20 minutes or until your desired crispness. (check on bacon at 15 minutes in case your oven performs differently than my own)  Drain bacon on paper towels.

2.  Slice tomatoes, if using.

3.  Wash lettuce or if using alfalfa sprouts, place on counter ready to go.

4.  Cook eggs till yolks are firmly set and won’t run everywhere when popped.

5.  While eggs are cooking, toast the mcmuffins and spread with herbed butter, plain butter or mayonnaise (your preference)  The herbed butter really compliments this sandwich, in my opinion.

5. Gather your remaining ingredients and place on counter.

Putting the Egg McMuffin Together

Putting it together is simple.  You just lay one item on top of another.  But just in case you have never heard of an egg mcmuffin :), I will be so kind as to tell you what to do. Yes?

The Order of the Sandwich

mcmuffin spread with herbed butter

bacon

egg

cheese

tomato

sprouts or lettuce

top with other half of mcmuffin

My kids think this photo looks unappetizing but I think it looks delicious.  What do you think?

Joining up with Kelly the Kitchen Kop for Real Food Wednesday.