Grilled Egg in a Hat Breakfast Sandwich

Egg in a hole, a fried egg, fried into a hold cut in a slice of bread, sandwiched together with some grilled bacon and cheddar cheese and another slice of bread, toasted in a skillet until golden brown all over. Quantities and instructions are given for only one sandwich. If you want more, multiply everything by the numbers you want. It's really only possible to make one at a time anyway. This is a knife and a fork sandwich.

2 slices your favourite bread (pick a sturdy one)
1 large free-range egg
sea salt
black pepper, freshly ground
4 slices streaky bacon, grilled or two slices of grilled back bacon
1½ slices strong cheddar cheese
softened butter, for spreading

Make sure you have your bacon all grilled before you begin, and your cheese sliced. (I sometimes buy strong cheddar already cut in slices and that is what I used today.)

Butter one slice of bread on both sides and one slice of bread on one side only. Cut a shape out of one that has been buttered on both sides with a cookie cutter. Today I used a flower. A heart is nice and so is a circle. Just go with your own inspiration.

Place the piece of bread with the cut out into a large skillet, placed over moderate heat. Drop a tiny knob of butter into the centre of it. Crack your egg into the hole as soon as the butter begins to foam.

Cook until set on the bottom. Add the cutout to the pan over on the side so that you can toast that also. Flip the toast with the egg in the centre over and cook just until you have the egg done to your liking. (We like them a bit runny.) Season to taste with some salt and black pepper.

Remove and keep warm for a few minutes, while put in the other piece of bread. Flip over the cutout. (I hope you've been keeping an eye on it. If it is done, take it out and keep it warm).

Add the other slice of bread, buttered side down to the skillet. Top with the cheese and then the bacon.

Finally pop on the egg bread, egg side down. Cook and toast over moderate heat until the cheese melts and the sandwich is heated through. Pop that little toasty cut out on top and serve to one very lucky person. We like brown sauce with ours.