Baked Eggs in Creamy Polenta and Pepperoni Tomato Sauce

Name: Baked Eggs in Creamy Polenta and Pepperoni Tomato Sauce
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H10M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT1H5M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H15M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling; 1/2 yellow onion, minced; Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper; 2 cloves garlic, minced; Pinch crushed red pepper; 3 ounces pepperoni, sliced 1/8-inch thick, minced; One 28-ounce can chopped San Marzano tomatoes; 10 fresh basil leaves; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup half-and-half; Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper; 1/2 cup quick-cooking polenta; 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan; 4 large eggs; 4 to 6 tablespoons fresh whole milk (or sheep's milk) ricotta, for garnish

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Baking these eggs in individual dishes creates an intimate presentation--each egg is nestled in its own serving of creamy polenta and tomato sauce. And since the eggs are finished in the oven, they don't require last-minute attention or fussing to get them perfectly cooked.

Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 15 min

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 1 hr 5 min

Yield: 4 servings

Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 15 min

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 1 hr 5 min

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Pepperoni Tomato Sauce:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1/2 yellow onion, minced

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

Pinch crushed red pepper

3 ounces pepperoni, sliced 1/8-inch thick, minced

One 28-ounce can chopped San Marzano tomatoes

10 fresh basil leaves

Creamy Polenta:

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup half-and-half

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

1/2 cup quick-cooking polenta

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

4 large eggs

4 to 6 tablespoons fresh whole milk (or sheep's milk) ricotta, for garnish

Directions

Special equipment:

Four 6-inch terracotta casuelas or other shallow baking dishes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and set a rack in the upper position. Set the casuelas on a baking sheet.
For the sauce: Heat the olive oil and onions in a medium saucepot set over medium-high heat. Season the onions with salt and pepper and cook until soft, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add in the pepperoni and cook until the pepperoni gets slightly crispy around the edges and releases some of its oil, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the tomatoes, add the basil leaves and season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently simmer until the liquids reduce and the flavors intensify, about 35 minutes.
Once the sauce is ready, make the polenta: In a saucepot over medium-high heat, bring the chicken broth and half-and-half to a boil. Season the liquids generously with salt, and then stream in the polenta, stirring constantly (be careful, polenta can splatter when it cooks). Continue to stir and cook the polenta until it absorbs all the liquid, 3 to 4 minutes; it will still be very loose and creamy. Add in the Parmesan, taste and season again if needed.
Divide the polenta among the casuelas. Use a spoon to push the polenta toward the edges of the dish, creating a well to place some sauce. Then take about 1/2 cup of tomato sauce and pour it into the center of the polenta. Again, use a spoon to make a well so you can crack an egg into the very center of the dish. Crack the eggs into the center of each dish and place into the oven to cook until the eggs just set and stop jiggling when shaken, 17 to 20 minutes. 5. When the eggs come out, garnish each dish with a generous dollop of ricotta cheese, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.