Sage and Butternut Squash Hash and How To Poach Eggs

Ok ok, maybe it's my age or my generation or WHATEVER, but anytime someone says they're gonna go eat some hash I giggle a little and think of them tripping out with "maddd munchies maayyunnn."

This is not that kind of hash.. don't worry mom. This is better. (Except it would probably make for some pretty excellent munchies..)

(click picture for larger image)

Okay so get your butternut squash. Be warned, 1 does not go a very long way... maybe 3 servings.

Peel, chop, slice, and dice. Into approximately uniform pieces (just so they'll cook more evenly!)

Preheat your oven to 350F. Cover squash with olive oil, kosher salt, coarse black pepper, and fresh chopped sage! Bake for 15-20 minutes until softish (think the way you like your pasta).

Ok so get your other ingredients ready. Onions, bacon, and cheese are a must in my books, but the ham, avocado, and tomato add another something special. You could also put in fresh herbs, other meats, spinach, brocoli.. basically anything your heart desires!

Now for the part people are scared of... POACHED EGGS!

Check out how much water is in there. Approximaely 1.5 inches from the bottom of the pan. Add in 3tbsp of white vinegar and 1 tsp salt. Bring water to a rolling boil.

Crack the eggs into the water one at a time (if you're worried about shells crack eggs into a bowl and pour into water, 1 at a time). Turn the burner down to medium/high heat aka "simmering". Really. That's it. Don't stir, dont gently fold, don't do anything.

NOW, you wait. 

When the water looks like this, it's a good sign your eggs are poached soft. (Soft poached, 1 min. Medium poached, 3 mins. Hard poached.. WHY?! 4-5 mins.) Turn off heat, let foam disappear, and then pull them out with a slotted spoon! Either spoon onto your plate or drop immediately into an ice bath and then reheat in boiling water when needed. 

Sautee (in olive oil) onions, ham, bacon, and finally add in the butternut squash until outsides are brown-y and crisp.

Mix in the cheese until it gets all melty and delicious. Mmmm. Put in a bowl, mix in tomatoes and avocado. Spoon eggs over top. 

See that? That's what a perfectly poached egg looks like. Yum.

Now eat and enjoy!! Omnomnomnomnom.

xo Becky