Preparation:
In a medium nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until hot and shimmering but not smoking. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
Place the bread in the large skillet and cook on 1 side until the underside is golden brown, about 3 1/2 minutes.
Meanwhile, crack the eggs into the medium skillet. Season with a sprinkle each of salt and pepper. Cook until the whites are just set and turning golden around the edges, about 2 minutes. Using a spatula, pierce the yolks so that they run over the whites. Cook just until the yolks are barely set, but not hard, about 1 more minute.
Transfer the bread to a plate, toasted-side down. Place the eggs on 1 slice and top with the other slice, toasted-side out. Serve immediately.
From the book: I have come to terms with it now. But it took me years to forgive myself. Years of remorse. Years of regret. Years of really serious suffering. There were times when I thought I would never--not ever--make peace with it. And while I have forgiven myself for what happened, I haven't forgotten. The truth is, I never want to. The lesson is too important. It's the story of how I refused my baby sister's last wish. Not refused, exactly. Put her off with promises--promises that I never got to keep. Jackie was in the hospital receiving treatments for brain cancer, and I had been running back and forth to see her for days. I was home resting when she called me. I listened in silence as Jackie told me what she wanted: an egg sandwich. But not any egg sandwich. My egg sandwich. The thought of turning around and going back to the hospital made me wince. It was selfish, I know, but I was bone tired and, at that moment, I just didn't think I could handle it. And so I took the coward's w! ! ay out. I stalled. "I'm tired," I told her. "I'll make it later." As many people know, later never came. And I never got to fulfill my sister's last wish. In the 10 years that have passed since Jackie's death, I have tried to keep the lesson of that day--my husband, Armstead, and I call it the egg sandwich lesson--in front of me. I have tried not only to spread its message, but to live it. As I tell anyone who will listen: The smallest deed is greater than the grandest intention. Because of Jackie and the egg sandwich, I'm a much better person. This recipe is for her. But I hope what it symbolizes will be a reminder to us all. Patti's Pointers: Fry the egg and the bread in tandem in two separate skillets, timing them so they're done about the same time. Everyone has a different idea on when a fried egg is done--over, up, runny, hard. Cook this the way you like, but keep in mind that when you put the eggs between two hot slices of bread, they will cook some more. This is th! ! |
