Ingredients
Method
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
- Start by grabbing a large skillet and placing it over medium-high heat. Once it's hot, add your chopped bacon pieces. Cook until they're crispy, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Bacon wants your attention; keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn! Once they’re perfectly crispy, use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess fat. This keeps it crispy. Don’t throw out the drippings in the pan though; they are full of flavor!
Step 2: Sauté the Onions and Potatoes
- In the same skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons of that tasty bacon drippings, toss in your chopped onion and potatoes. Stir everything around so the potatoes get coated in the drippings—that’s the secret to extra flavor! Sauté for a couple of minutes, letting the onions become fragrant and slightly translucent.
Step 3: Steam the Potatoes
- Next, add the water to the pan and give it a gentle stir. This will help cook the potatoes through without needing to flip them too often. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for about 15 minutes. Only flip them once or twice during this time. The less you mess with them, the more golden and crispy they’ll get!
Step 4: Add Garlic and Seasoning
- After the potatoes are soft, stir in the minced garlic—which you can skip if you’re not a garlic fan—and season everything with salt and pepper to taste. If you want to amp up the flavor, toss in that smoky paprika you gathered earlier.
Step 5: Create Wells for the Eggs
- With your crispy potatoes ready, use a spatula to create four little wells within the potato mixture. Make sure you expose the skillet bottom. Carefully crack an egg into each well. It can be a bit tricky, but don't worry if some of the egg white spills over the edges!
Step 6: Cook the Eggs
- Cover the skillet again and reduce the heat to low. Let the eggs cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the whites are set. You can peek occasionally to check their progress. I recommend keeping the heat low—this ensures a gentle cook that keeps the yolks runny.
Step 7: Top with Cheese and Bacon
- In the last couple of minutes of cooking, sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the eggs and cooked bacon pieces. You can cover again until the cheese is melted and gooey. Finish it off by sprinkling with fresh green onions, if you’re using them.
Notes
- Use a non-stick skillet: This helps prevent sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.
- Make it spicy: Add some diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a kick.
- Fresh ingredients: Fresh, local eggs can boost the flavor significantly.
- Don’t rush the cooking: Letting the potatoes cook through properly is key to getting that wonderful crispy texture.
- Save leftovers: The dish holds up well in the fridge for breakfast the next day.
