Your fried eggs will be even more delicious if you add this simple cheese to the bottom of your pan

Fried eggs are the go-to solution for those evenings when you need a good meal but don't feel like cooking. You crack them open, wait a few minutes, and they're ready. However, after a while, the simple egg-and-pan combo can get a little boring. To give them a more indulgent look without any fuss, just add a layer of cheese before the eggs. And the good news is: it doesn't have to be a hard-to-find or expensive cheese.

Grated Emmental cheese under the eggs

The cheese in question is simply grated Emmental. Rather than sprinkling it over the cooked eggs, place it directly in the bottom of a non-stick pan. As it heats up, it melts, and then the parts in contact with the pan begin to brown. This small change in order makes all the difference.

To try it, heat a pan over medium heat and spread a small handful of grated Emmental cheese in it. Form a circle large enough to hold an egg, then crack the egg on top. If you're making two, space the cheese portions out so you can easily serve each egg. Let it cook: the white should set while the grated cheese browns underneath and on the sides.

The right reflex to keep it crispy

Keep a close eye on the cooking: if the pan is too hot, the cheese may brown before the egg white sets. You need to give it time to form a golden base without burning it. When the egg white is cooked to your liking, gently slide a spatula underneath to loosen the egg and its layer of cheese.

As for seasoning, taste before reaching for the salt shaker, as the Emmental cheese already adds plenty of flavor. A turn of the pepper mill may be all you need. Serve immediately, while the crispy edges are still warm. With a slice of bread to soak up the yolk, this impromptu dish suddenly looks much more elegant.

So, next time you have a bag of grated Emmental waiting in the fridge, you'll know it's not just for pasta. A few seconds in the pan, and your fried eggs take on a much more delicious form.

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