Three-minute breakfast tortilla

A simple basted egg on a tortilla with a side of sliced avocado will jump-start your morning the right way.

There are some things in life that on the surface appear involved, but actually make life easier. Take dresses for example. There’s something about wearing dresses that people perceive as putting in effort. I view it as taking one thing out of the closet and being dressed from head to toe. There’s no need to coordinate a top with a bottom or to find the right socks to go with the right shoes.  I realize that this is something most of us do every morning with absolutely zero hesitation but for some me, that’s far too many decisions to make whether at 5:30 a.m. or a more reasonable 10:30 a.m. I want to put one thing on, look put-together, and get on with my day.

These days it’s not unlike how I view food and meal prep. Essentially, I want something that looks and tastes like I’m not lazy without any of the effort. Especially when it comes to something as important as what I put in my body.

In the past, I could spend hours in the kitchen, mucking about, creating, tasting, recreating. The elaborate was not out of the ordinary. Don’t get me wrong, most of the time this was a pleasure. My life has changed drastically over the last few years. In the midst of the loss of a love, a father, my grandmothers, my health, my dog, and in some ways an entire extended family, I had to learn to let go.

As a result, I’ve also learned to make my life simpler. I had to let go of making absolutely everything from scratch, keeping a spotless house and relax self-imposed standards that no longer served me. I still have a long road ahead when it comes to taking it easy (I am occasionally reminded that my version of taking it easy is some else’s go-go-go). So it makes sense to start with breakfast. Just like a dress, eggs on tortilla with avocado looks like more effort than is required.

Basted egg on a tortilla with avocado. Eggs make my brain turn on. Forget the hype around egg whites. The light switch for the brain is in the yolk. Then there’s the soothing richness of an oozing creamy yolk. It smears itself of a crispy shell of mild sweet corn and lends itself well with the buttery avocado. This breakfast almost makes itself in about 3 minutes and offers me the sustenance I need to get me through until lunch. That’s my kind of result. 

I’ve also served this to breakfast guests, and it can also be bulked up for a brunch feast with tomatoes, salsa and refried black beans with feta.

Basted Eggs on Tortilla with Avocado
Serves 1

1 egg
1 white corn tortilla
1/2 avocado
Optional Toppings: Feta, Parmesan, Cheddar or your favourite cheese, hot sauce, refried beans, salsa, sour cream and or cilantro.

1. Place a fresh tortilla in a small 6- to 8-inch frying pan over medium heat. Crack an egg on top of the tortilla.

2. When the pan is hot add approximately 1 tablespoon of water to the edge of the pan. Cover the pan immediately with a tight fitting lid (preferably one that does not have a breathe vent). Allow the egg to baste. A white layer will cover the yolk. Cook to desired doneness. Basted soft will take approximately 1 minute.

3. Meanwhile, cut and slice your avocado. Slide the tortilla onto a plate and serve with avocado, cheese, hot sauce and/or salsa.

Notes: I keep my tortillas in the freezer. If you are starting with a frozen tortilla, cook one side of the tortilla first. Once it has warmed through, flip the tortilla and then crack the egg on top. This will take anywhere between 30 seconds to a minute. Continue as per directions.

Related post on The Restless Palate: 3-ingredient savory pancakes