Uitsmijter (Dutch Style Fried Eggs and Ham Breakfast) Recipe

Name: Uitsmijter (Dutch Style Fried Eggs and Ham Breakfast) Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 7 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon butter; 2 eggs; 2 slices white bread; 2 slices shaved boiled ham; 2 large slices cheese (preferably aged Gouda); Salt and pepper to taste

Prep: 2 mins

Cook: 5 mins

Total: 7 mins

Serving: 1 serving

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Legend goes that this dish used to be served to cafe patrons late at night, just before they were kicked out at closing time, which may explain why the Dutch name for this dish, "uitsmijter," means "bouncer" or ''doorman'' in English. It is now a popular breakfast, brunch and lunch dish in the Netherlands.

There are plenty of variations, but the most standard one is made white bread, ham and eggs, and sometimes Dutch cheese. It's simple and super quick to make at home for your own breakfast, lunch or late-night snack, just as it was eaten by the Dutch cafe patrons of old.

Imagine yourself on the famous canals of Amsterdam or in Delft, looking at a scene that Johannes Vermeer might have painted in the 17th century, as you have a taste of the Netherlands in this authentic fried egg and ham sandwich.

1 teaspoon butter
2 large eggs
2 slices white bread
2 slices shaved boiled ham
2 large slices cheese (preferably aged Gouda)
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

Melt the butter in a frying pan or skillet and fry the eggs.
Once the bottoms of the eggs are set, take the pan off the heat, place a lid on the pan and allow the eggs to steam until the top has firmed up. If you prefer your eggs more thoroughly cooked, flip them over and fry until the yolk is done to your liking.
Lightly toast the bread (optional).
Place the slices of bread or toast on a plate.
Top with the fried eggs, ham and cheese.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Raw Egg Warning

Consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs poses a risk of food-borne illness.

Variations

This is the traditional Dutch recipe for this fried egg and ham sandwich. It's also an American standby, even if it goes by the less romantic name "fried egg sandwich." You can riff on this basic recipe in several ways:

Use sharp cheddar cheese instead of Gouda.
Add sliced avocado and substitute Monterey Jack cheese for the Gouda.
Top the eggs and ham with cheese and put under the broiler to melt the cheese for a few minutes before completing the sandwich.
Substitute crispy bacon for the ham.
Use smoked rather than boiled ham.
Serve on whole-wheat or whole-grain bread or toast.
Spread butter or mayonnaise on the toast.

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven-safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.

Sides

Side choices depend on which meal you are serving. For breakfast or a light brunch, serve hash brown potatoes or mixed seasonal fruit; orange, apple or cranberry juice; and hot coffee, tea, cocoa or espresso. For lunch, pair the sandwich with potato chips, french fries or potato salad and iced tea, sparkling water or a cold beer.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
740	Calories
38g	Fat
36g	Carbs
63g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories	740
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 38g	49%
Saturated Fat 17g	87%
Cholesterol 534mg	178%
Sodium 2561mg	111%
Total Carbohydrate 36g	13%
Dietary Fiber 2g	9%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 63g
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 562mg	43%
Iron 6mg	31%
Potassium 792mg	17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.