Fiesta Baked Eggs with Farro and Black Beans

April 1, 2014 | | | | | | |
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Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-SausageWhen people find out that I’m a food blogger, they often turn to my roommate and say, “You’re so lucky! You must eat gourmet meals every night!” On these occasions, I put on my very best modest smile and say something like, “No, no, no. Of course not! During the week, I mostly just make skillet creations with whatever I happen to have in the fridge that day.”

This is a lie.

I make such platitudes because I don’t want to unnecessarily intimidate strangers and/or make them feel badly about their culinary skills off the bat. But the truth is, they’re right. Logan and I do eat fabulous gourmet meals on the reg. After all, I am a domestic goddess, and that’s just how I roll.

I realize that I’ve never really discussed it before, but the average evening’s cooking usually begins around 4pm. I like to listen to Mozart for Your Mind and sip a glass of red wine while I lovingly braise meat, roast a chicken, or whip up a savory soufflé. On Thursdays, I make my own ravioli and a seven-layer chocolate cake because it’s almost the weekend, and that deserves a celebration. I do not believe in eating meals with less than two courses, and I’d rather die than cook with anything that comes from a can.

Obviously, I do all of this complicated domestic work without breaking a sweat, messing up my perfectly coiffed hair, or spilling on my well-coordinated outfits. Everyone knows cooking in sweatpants is a sin.

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-2APRIL FOOLS.

The only element of truth in the above paragraphs is the statement about making skillet meals. Oh, and the part about sweatpants. 

I know, I know. This wasn’t a very good April Fools’ prank unless it’s your first time reading this blog, since the rest of you know that I am all about low-maintenance recipes, and that I only eat chocolate cake on No-Calorie Sundays. Sorry.

In all seriousness, most weeknights I end up perusing the random meats and produce in my fridge, grabbing some grains, beans, or canned tomatoes from the pantry, and whipping up a one-skillet/pot meal to the sweet sounds of Ludacris Pandora. It’s not exactly “gourmet cooking,” but it’s convenient, and some pretty epic soups, chilis, casseroles, and risottos have been born in this way.

My roommate’s favorite pantry creations tend to involve eggs, and yesterday’s Fiesta Baked Eggs with Farro and Black Beans was so well received that I felt compelled to share it with all of you.

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-3Ay. Dios. Mio.

These baked eggs are like a Beyoncé concert in your mouth, people. Cue fireworks and tears of gratitude. Honestly, it’s tough to do this sassy skillet meal justice in words, but I’m obviously going to try. (It’s my job.) Let’s quickly break it down, shall we?

First, spicy chicken sausage is sautéed with bell peppers, onions, and minced garlic, making your kitchen smell like a savory paradise in about 3 minutes flat. Then some hearty black beans, smoky fire roasted tomatoes and chewy farro are stirred into the “fiesta sauce,” which gets spiced up with an epic combination of chipotle peppers, cumin, paprika, and a pinch of oregano. Dank.

After gently simmering the sauce, eggs are cracked into hollowed out wells, and the skillet is baked for 10 minutes (during which I recommend making cocktails). When the deliciousness comes out of the oven, the egg whites will be just set, but the yolks will still be gloriously runny. The whole shebang gets topped with salty Cotija cheese and plenty of cilantro, and then it’s party time.

You can simply scoop your fabulously flavorful baked eggs into bowls (or hoover them straight from the skillet), but I like to serve them with some warm corn tortillas and guacamole for extra awesomeness. Livin’ la vida loca.

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-4In addition to being ridiculously delicious, Fiesta Baked Eggs are also a moneymaker on the nutrition and convenience fronts. I’m thrilled to report that each satisfying serving is packed with protein, fiber, antioxidants and healthy whole grains to keep your wonderland body in check, and the recipe can be made from start to finish in half an hour. (Skillet of dreams!) Plus, if you’ve heeded my advice on stocking your pantry and spice cabinet, you’ll probably already have most of the ingredients on hand. De nada.

As always, feel free to make substitutions that tickle your fancy. Don’t have farro? Try using brown rice, barley or quinoa. Vegetarian? Ditch the chicken sausage and add a few more veggies. Paleo? Lose the beans, compadres. Use the recipe as a handy guideline and let your creative juices flow. You know I like it when you get a little weird in the kitchen…

Fiesta Baked Eggs with Farro and Black Beans: (Serves 2 ridiculously, 4 comfortably)

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-5Ingredients:
½ cup semi-pearled faro
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 spicy chicken sausages (I recommend these), diced
1 large bell pepper, seeded and diced (I used a mix of red and yellow peppers because that’s what I had on hand, but any color will do.)
½ Spanish onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 14.5-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 28-ounce can crushed fire roasted tomatoes (Yes, you can use regular crushed tomatoes if you can’t find fire roasted. Duh.)
1½ chipotle peppers canned in adobo, minced
1¼ teaspoons ground cumin
¾ teaspoon paprika
¾ teaspoon dried oregano
5 large eggs
For garnish: (optional)
¼ cup crumbled Cotija cheese
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
Diced avocado or guacamole
Corn tortillas

Preparing your Fiesta Baked Eggs with Farro and Black Beans:

-Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees

-Start by cooking the farro. Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. When boiling, add the farro and cook for 10 minutes until just al dente. Strain and set aside until ready to use.

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-step-1-Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet. When hot, add the sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes.

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-step-2-Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic to the pan.

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-step-3-Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the vegetables are just tender.

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-step-4-Stir in the black beans, crushed tomatoes, cooked farro, chipotle peppers, cumin, paprika and oregano. Simmer for 10 minutes until the “fiesta sauce” thickens slightly. Taste and season with a pinch of salt if necessary.

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-step-5-Remove the skillet from the heat and use a spatula or spoon to make 5 wells (about 2 inches wide) in the sauce. Carefully crack an egg into each of the wells.

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-step-6-Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-11 minutes until the whites are just set. The eggs will continue to cook once you remove them from the oven, so be careful not to overcook them, peeps!

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-step-7-Top the baked eggs with crumbled Cotija and fresh cilantro and serve with warm corn tortillas if you’re so inclined. Maybe get some guac involved.

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-6Fiesta on, friends.

Fiesta Baked Eggs with Farro and Black Beans

Author - Serena Wolf
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Yields: 2 monster servings, 4 normal servings

Ingredients

  • ½ cup semi-pearled farro uncooked
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 spicy chicken sausages I recommend these, diced
  • 1 large bell pepper diced (I used a mix of red and yellow peppers because that’s what I had on hand, but any color will do.)
  • ½ Spanish onion minced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 14.5- ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 28- ounce can crushed fire roasted tomatoes Yes, you can use regular crushed tomatoes if you can’t find fire roasted. Duh.
  • chipotle peppers canned in adobo minced
  • teaspoons ground cumin
  • ¾ teaspoon paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 5 large eggs

For garnish: (optional)

  • ¼ cup crumbled Cotija cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
  • Diced avocado or guacamole
  • Corn tortillas

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees
  • Start by cooking the farro. Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. When boiling, add the farro and cook for 10 minutes until just al dente. Strain and set aside until ready to use.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet. When hot, add the sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes.
  • Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic to the pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the vegetables are just tender. Stir in the black beans, crushed tomatoes, cooked farro, chipotle peppers, cumin, paprika and oregano, and simmer for 10 minutes until the “fiesta sauce” thickens slightly. Taste and season with a pinch of salt if necessary.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and use a spatula or spoon to make 5 wells (about 2 inches wide) in the sauce. Carefully crack an egg into each of the wells.
  • Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-11 minutes until the whites are just set. The eggs will continue to cook once you remove them from the oven, so be careful not to overcook them, peeps!
  • Top eggs with crumbled Cotija and fresh cilantro and serve with warm corn tortillas if you’re so inclined.

Fiesta-Baked-Eggs-with-Farro-Black-Beans-and-Chicken-Sausage-7I’m thrilled to be a part of Food Network’s Sensational Sides this week. For more awesome “clean out the pantry” recipes, check out the amazing blogs below.

Feed Me Phoebe: Artichoke Hummus
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Red or Green: Sea Bass with Spicy Asian Ginger Sauce
Jeanette’s Healthy Living: Quinoa Citrus Mango Avocado Black Bean Salad
The Heritage Cook: Chile Tortilla Soup
Cooking With Elise: Glorious Greek Salad Dressing
Devour: Clean Out the Pantry Night
Weelicious: Greek Nachos
Virtually Homemade: Garlic Rosemary Pizza Crust Bites
Domesticate Me: Fiesta Baked Eggs with Farro and Black Beans
Taste With The Eyes: Mom’s Vintage Potato Salad
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Rice and Beans Casserole
The Sensitive Epicure: Salmon and Brown Rice Casserole (Gluten-Free)
Daily*Dishin: Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta with Crunchy Roasted Black Beans
FN Dish: Pantry Clean-Out Sides

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11 Comments

  1. Food Foto Gallery on April 8, 2014 at 10:09 pm

    Would love to invite you to submit your food photos at Food Foto Gallery . com – Any photos related to food (that are not watermarked) are accepted & get posted automatically without a prior approval process. We also share our daily faves on social media, giving exposure to food bloggers when we can. Let me know if you have any questions and hope to see you at the site 🙂

  2. Catherine on April 3, 2014 at 9:13 pm

    So although I have only recently been commenting on your posts, I have been reading this blog religiously for over a year. I have always been super jealous of your amazing (recipes, obviously), but also your cast iron cookware. This post finally made me go out and buy some! I am a huge fan of the cooked eggs, but making them in a non-stick while leaving the oven door cracked to more easily monitor the potential destruction of my pan had to stop. I bought a Lodge skillet last week and have been using your care tips for cast iron since then. Tried a variation of this dish tonight and it turned out AMAZING! But also, the skillet worked like a charm for the first time!! We have had a bit of a tense introduction period. Anyway, your domestic goddess skills killed two birds with one stone with this one. Congrats!

    • Serena_Wolf on April 4, 2014 at 10:30 am

      AHHH, thank God you decided to start commenting, since news like this literally thrills me. I couldn’t be happier that you decided to take the cast iron plunge, and that it has gone so smoothly (based on some frantic emails i’ve received re: cast iron, not everyone is so lucky). I am even more psyched that a variation of these baked eggs was successfully cooked in said skillet. I feel like a blogging virtuoso. Thank you!

  3. Caron Nakata on April 1, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    This is my first time reading your blog and you had me going there! Mouth open in outrage, appalled and intensely jealous of your domestic goddesshood. I too am the-roommate-that-cooks, always looking to diversify my menu portfolio. Nutritious, cheap, and filling are my top priority (along with dinner being on the table with no more than forty minutes of active cooking time). I think I’ll surreptitiously print out your recipe and leave it on the fridge for enterprising roommates to attempt when I’m indisposed after class. Thank you for sharing! This looks super tasty.

    • Serena_Wolf on April 2, 2014 at 10:10 am

      I can only imagine the shock and horror that you must have felt reading those first few paragraphs, but I’m very grateful you stuck it out long enough to realize that I am all about delicious simplicity. I think printing this out to inspire your more motived roommates is an excellent idea. I support switching up the chef role whenever possible (although my roommate’s idea of cooking is mostly sausages and peppers in a pan with a disturbing amount of hot sauce).

  4. Dixya Bhattarai RD on April 1, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    you almost had me there but i have been reading your blog for a while so i knew it had to be April fool’s 😛 this sounds like something i want to make every single day..

    • Serena_Wolf on April 1, 2014 at 4:14 pm

      Hahah, I’m very relieved you didn’t believe any of that! One of my best friends emailed me saying “YOU MAKE RAVIOLI ON THURSDAY’S?!” Clearly she had stopped reading pre-April Fools reveal/does not read this blog enough! xo

  5. butter basil and breadcrumbs on April 1, 2014 at 2:54 pm

    Haha!! I would have believed every word if you wouldn’t have gone and said April Fools… 🙂 But I’m glad it was foolery at it’s best…
    Because..
    I totally cook in sweats, hair in a pony tail, contacts out, glasses on, and raggedy old slippers that are so awesome to run outside when I need to chase the dog back into the house, or grab a bunch of basil… or both. Yes. I run outside looking like that…and I live at the intersection of a very busy road. 🙂
    This looks absolutely amazing. The photo of the eggs and farro and beans on the tortilla put me right over the edge. I’m not so sure I can get away with feeding this to the fussy family…but I can sure make it and eat it for lunch at work everyday, right? LOVE this.
    Happy April Fool’s!! 🙂

    • Serena_Wolf on April 1, 2014 at 4:12 pm

      Hahahah, Prudy, thank you for the visual of chasing the dog holding a bunch of basil while rocking the foolproof combo of sweatpants and slippers. I need that this afternoon.

      On a serious note, forget the fussy fam, and make these eggs for yourself. Half the recipe and fiesta on your own, lady. Happy April Fools’ to you (I’m obsessively on the lookout, as I feel like I am the perfect target for all pranks, and it’s stressing me out)! xox

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