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AI-generated photograph: A small black cast iron pan of deep red tomato sauce with soft white eggs and golden yolks set into it, a scatter of torn basil and flakes of red chilli

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Italian · Breakfast

Eggs in purgatory

slow tomato and chilli · softly set eggs · torn basil

AI-generated photograph

Uova in purgatorio, as they say in southern Italy: eggs gently cooked in a bubbling garlic, chilli and tomato sauce, finished with torn basil and eaten straight from the pan.

Contains: eggs, as written. Of the 14 allergens, only eggs are in this recipe. The tomatoes, onion, garlic, chilli and basil contain none of the 14.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • Half a teaspoon dried chilli flakes, or a pinch for a milder sauce
  • 2 tins chopped tomatoes (400g each)
  • Half a teaspoon salt
  • Black pepper
  • 8 eggs
  • 15g fresh basil, leaves torn

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Let's cook

  1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan that has a lid, on a medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 6 minutes until soft and golden.
  2. Add the garlic and chilli flakes and cook for 1 minute, stirring.
  3. Pour in the tomatoes, add the salt and a few turns of pepper, and simmer for 8 minutes, stirring now and then, until the sauce is thick enough to hold a hollow when you drag a spoon through it.
  4. Make 8 small hollows in the sauce with the back of a spoon. Crack an egg into each one.
  5. Turn the heat down to low, put the lid on and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the egg whites are completely set and white, with no clear jelly left. The yolks should still be soft. For firm yolks, cook for 2 to 3 minutes more.
  6. Scatter over the basil and a little more pepper, and serve 2 eggs each, spooned out with plenty of sauce.

Tips

  • Crack each egg into a cup first, then tip it into its hollow. It is easier, and any bits of shell are easy to fish out.
  • UK eggs with the British Lion stamp are safe with runny yolks for everyone. With other eggs, cook the yolks firm for pregnant women, babies and older people.

Swaps

  • Serve with toasted bread or focaccia for dipping. This adds gluten.
  • Finish with a spoonful of grated vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese. This adds milk.
  • No chilli for children: leave out the flakes and add a pinch of dried oregano instead.

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Our own recipe. The photograph is AI-generated.

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