Tacky Frico Fried Egg Tostadas

Heads up, fried egg lovers: Your favourite breakfast simply acquired a severe improve. That includes a base of crispy caramelized cheddar and pepper Jack cheese and a zesty pico de gallo topping, these tacky frico fried egg tostadas will surpass your wildest breakfast expectations—and may even turn out to be your new favourite fast weeknight dinner.

Fricos, or cheese crisps, are a preferred deal with in northern Italy, the place they’re eaten as snacks. Whereas they’re historically made with Montasio cheese, another exhausting or semi-firm cheese can be utilized, together with Parmesan, Gruyère, or cheddar. Right here, we’re giving them a Tex-Mex breakfast twist by utilizing a mixture of cheddar and pepper Jack cheese and cracking an egg proper in the course of the frico because it’s cooking. The egg fries whereas the frico crisps up, yielding one gloriously crispy tacky egg tostada.

Making a frico egg tostada could sound tough, nevertheless it’s really quite simple. Begin with a fair layer of freshly shredded cheese in a nonstick pan, place it over medium warmth, and watch for the cheese to soften and bubble. Crack the egg into the center and wait a couple of minutes extra, till the egg cooks via and the cheese caramelizes and begins to solidify. You need to wait till the cheese is pretty agency (however not brittle) earlier than utilizing a big versatile spatula to scoop the entire thing out of the pan and onto a plate. Don’t fear if the cheese is barely smooth at this level—it is going to proceed to agency up because it cools.

Ingredients

• 1 giant tomato, cored, finely chopped
• 1/2 jalapeño, seeded, finely chopped
• 1/4 purple onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. chopped contemporary cilantro
• 2 tbsp. contemporary lime juice
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus extra
• 2 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1/2 c.)
• 2 oz. pepper Jack cheese, shredded (about 1/2 c.)
• 4 giant eggs
• Freshly floor black pepper (non-obligatory)

Instructions

Step 1

In a medium bowl, mix tomato, jalapeño, onion, cilantro, and lime juice; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Put aside till able to serve.

Step 2

Line a sheet pan with parchment. In a small bowl, toss cheddar and pepper Jack till mixed.

Step 3In a small nonstick skillet, unfold 1/4 cup cheese combination in a fair round layer. Cook dinner over medium warmth, undisturbed, till cheese is melted and effervescent, 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 4

Crack 1 egg into heart of cheese; season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cook dinner, undisturbed, till egg white is semi-set and frico is deep orange brown, about 2 minutes. Cowl pan and proceed to cook dinner till egg white is ready, about 1 minute. Uncover and proceed to cook dinner till frico is agency sufficient to raise, about 1 minute extra.

Step 5

Utilizing a nonstick spatula, rigorously switch frico egg to ready sheet. Let sit 2 minutes to let frico harden. Repeat with remaining cheese combination and eggs.

Step 6

Serve topped with pico de gallo.