I’ve officially moved back to the east coast, Hoboken to be exact. Located directly across the Hudson river from Manhattan, Hoboken is the home of baseball and birthplace of Frank Sinatra. It’s nicknamed the “mile square city” because, well, it’s only about 1 square mile in size. But don’t let the size fool you, it’s the 4th most densely populated city in the United States. I’ve lived in Hoboken for 5+ years now and I love this town. There are so many good restaurants here and there just aren’t enough meals in the day. If you’ve spent any amount of time in New Jersey you may have noticed that come breakfast time, the deli’s and bagel shops are packed. The odd part is that everyone orders the same thing – taylor ham, egg and cheese – on a bagel or a roll. If you’re unclear as to exactly what taylor ham is, it’s ok, nobody knows. Taylor ham, also called pork roll, is a terribly delicious log of ham that is sliced thick, grilled, and placed atop the egg and cheese. The resulting creation is unbelievably satisfying and can cure the roughest of evenings. Now that I’m back, I felt it necessary to make my own healthier, peanut buttery version of the classic Jersey breakfast.
1 whole-grain bagel or roll
1/4 cup egg substitute (or 1 egg)
1 slice nonfat american cheese
1 thick slice of ham or canadian bacon
1T peanut butter (optional)
Directions:
Preheat a skillet to medium-high heat. Spray with cooking spray and add the ham. Cook the ham for 2 minutes and then place aside. Spray the pan again and pour in the egg. Flip the egg after about 2 minutes and cook for an additional minute. Fold the egg into about the same size as the roll and place the slice of cheese on top. After 1 minute, lift up the egg and place the ham in the skillet to cook the other side and place the egg/cheese on top. After 1-2 minutes, place the tasty tower on a bagel spread with peanut butter, toasted first if desired.
Additional Info:
The bagels I use are the “Alternative Bagels” from Western Bagel. They are very high in fiber and protein and surprisingly low in carbs and calories. They are a bit on the small side but taste wonderful and are usually found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. But for a true experience, I recommend using a fresh bagel from a Jersey or New York deli, if available.