Serrano Ham Breakfast Baskets

Easy and elegant...these savory breakfast baskets would be great for a special occasion or guests, or even just for a Saturday morning treat.  Serrano ham (Jamón Serrano) is one of Spain's most revered foods....and can range in quality from so-so, to high brow.  The best ham is called "Bellota" or "Pata Negra" and is slow cured over a period of several months.  It's similar to prosciutto, I guess, but I would venture to say that Serrano ham kicks prosciutto's behind.  The cooking time here is approximate....depending on how well cooked you like your eggs, I like them solid, but some people prefer to have a soft yolk, so you should adjust your cooking time accordingly.

egg cups

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Ingredients:

6 ounces (150 grams) Serrano ham, thinly sliced

10 mushrooms, cleaned and chopped

1 small onion, minced

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup sour cream or quark cheese

parmesan cheese to taste

salt and pepper to taste

chopped parsley

8 eggs

Preparation:

Line 8 ramekins with Serrano ham slices, to form the "baskets."

Preheat oven to 400º F (200ºC).

Melt butter over medium heat and sautee onions and mushrooms until tender (about 5-7 minutes).

Season with salt and pepper and a little chopped parsley.

Add a bit of mushroom mixture to each ramekin, and top with a spoonful of sour cream or quark.

Sprinkle each with a bit of parmesan cheese to taste.

Crack an egg into each basket and sprinkle with freshly cracked pepper and a bit of parsley.

I found that it worked best to place the ramekins on a baking sheet, and then introduce them into the oven.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until desired doneness of eggs.