Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients (Serves 2): To prepare a classic English breakfast at home, you’ll need the following ingredients. This recipe is perfect for serving two, but feel free to adjust the quantities to suit your needs.
- 4 rashers of back bacon: Back bacon is the most commonly used type of bacon for an English breakfast. It’s leaner than streaky bacon and has a slightly different texture, making it perfect for grilling or frying.
- 2 thick pork sausages: Choose high-quality sausages with a good ratio of meat and fat. The flavor and texture of the sausages play a big role in elevating this dish.
- 2 large eggs: Eggs are at the heart of any English breakfast. Whether you prefer them fried sunny-side-up, scrambled, or poached, they add richness to the meal.
- 1 tomato, halved: Tomatoes are grilled to bring out their natural sweetness, and their acidity balances the richness of the meat.
- 4 slices of black pudding (optional): Black pudding, a type of blood sausage, is a traditional ingredient in English breakfasts, though it’s optional for those who prefer to skip it.
- 2 slices of thick-cut bread: For making delicious, buttered toast. You can use white, whole wheat, or sourdough bread—whatever you prefer.
- 1 cup of baked beans: Baked beans are an essential part of the meal, providing warmth and a touch of sweetness. They can be store-bought or homemade for a more authentic experience.
- 2 tablespoons of butter: Used for frying and buttering the toast.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning your eggs and other components.
- Fresh parsley for garnish: Adds a pop of color and freshness to your breakfast plate.
Instructions
Instructions:
- Cook the Sausages and Bacon:
- Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure they brown evenly on all sides. You want them to be golden brown on the outside and fully cooked on the inside. Once cooked through, remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the rashers of back bacon. Fry them for about 3-4 minutes per side until they are crisp and golden. If you prefer your bacon less crispy, adjust the cooking time. Once done, set the bacon aside with the sausages.
- Grill the Tomatoes and Black Pudding (Optional):
- While the bacon and sausages are cooking, slice the tomato in half. Place it, cut side down, in the pan and grill for 2-3 minutes. The natural sugars in the tomato will caramelize, giving them a lovely roasted flavor. This step adds sweetness and acidity to balance the richness of the other ingredients.
- If you’re including black pudding, slice it into 1 cm thick rounds. Place the slices in the pan with the bacon and cook them for 2-3 minutes per side until they are crisp on the outside but soft on the inside. If you’re not using black pudding, you can skip this step or add a different ingredient like hash browns or mushrooms.
- Cook the Eggs:
- While the sausages, bacon, and tomatoes are cooking, take another pan and melt a small amount of butter over low to medium heat. Crack the eggs into the pan, making sure not to break the yolks. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If you like your eggs sunny-side-up, cook them for about 3-4 minutes until the whites are set but the yolks remain runny. If you prefer scrambled eggs, whisk the eggs in a bowl and pour them into the pan, stirring gently until they form soft, fluffy curds. For poached eggs, bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer, add a splash of vinegar, and carefully crack the eggs into the water. Let them cook for about 3-4 minutes for perfectly poached eggs.
- Toast the Bread:
- While the eggs are cooking, toast the slices of bread in a toaster or on a grill until golden and crispy. Once toasted, butter the bread generously while it’s still hot.
- Heat the Beans:
- While everything else is cooking, heat the baked beans in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure they don’t burn. Let them simmer for 5 minutes or until they are piping hot and ready to serve.
- Assemble the English Breakfast:
- Now that all the components are cooked, it’s time to assemble your full English breakfast. On each plate, arrange the sausages, bacon, grilled tomatoes, black pudding (if using), and baked beans. Place the eggs in the center, and add the slices of buttered toast on the side.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color and freshness to your plate. You can also add a side of sautéed mushrooms, hash browns, or avocado if you like.
Nutrition
- Calories: 285