The Perfect Breakfast Haystack Recipe
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This Breakfast haystack is perfect for those weekend mornings when you want something ultra-substantial before a day of activity.
This version is Tex-Mex inspired, but several variations are included below for you to experiment with, depending on your taste. You can make Southern-style haystacks with a creamy white sauce and mushrooms, a Hawaiian-style dish on a bed of rice with cubed pineapple… basically anything goes with haystacks!
The Perfect Breakfast Haystack Recipe
This recipe makes four breakfast haystacks.
Breakfast Haystack Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), finely diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons Tex-Mex seasoning, divided
- 3 cups shredded hash brown potatoes (refrigerated or frozen and defrosted)
- 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
- 4 large eggs
- 1/3 cup salsa
- 4 cooked bacon strips, coarsely chopped
Breakfast Haystack Recipe: Method
Mix the sour cream with the chopped green onions, sundried tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and 1/2 teaspoon of the Tex-Mex seasoning. Set the mixture aside.
Now squeeze out any excess moisture from the hash browns. Pat them with a paper towel or a clean dishcloth, and put them into a large mixing bowl.
Add the bread crumbs, cheese, salt, and the rest of the Tex-Mex seasoning and mix well.
Heat a griddle – a cast iron griddle would work well here – with 2 tablespoons of the oil on medium-high heat.
Once the oil is hot, divide the potato mixture into four equal parts and drop one part at a time onto the griddle. Press with a spatula to flatten each dollop of potato mixture into a patty. Fry until crisp, about 7 minutes.
Remove the patties from the griddle and let drain on a plate covered with paper towels. Put a lid over them or pop them in an oven on low heat to keep them warm.
Put the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil onto the griddle. When the oil is hot, break the eggs onto the griddle and cook till the whites are set. Flip the eggs if you wish, or just cook them sunny side up.
Note: You could also poach the eggs if you prefer (see below).
Once the eggs are done, top each patty with one egg, a dollop of salsa, some crumbled bacon, and a spoonful of the sour cream mixture.
If you wish, you can sprinkle each haystack with chopped chives, more fresh cilantro, or chopped red or green onion.
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Breakfast Haystack FAQs
If I want to poach the eggs, what’s the best method?
Crack your eggs into ramekins before adding them (simultaneously) to a pot of boiling water. You want the pot to have at least 4 inches of water so that there’s plenty of room for the egg to cook. If you’re going to avoid lots of egg white wisps, put a fine wire sieve underneath each egg as you put it into the water. That way, the thicker egg white will stay in the sieve and form a shape around the yolk.
For the very best results, use the freshest eggs possible. Fresh eggs have firmer whites and hold their shape better once they’re in the water.
What else could I use instead of the hash brown base?
Here are some alternatives to a hash brown base:
- a split muffin
- some small (and warmed) tortillas
- sautéed cubed potatoes
- a bed of French fries
- wholewheat or another type of toast
- toasted buns
- a bed of rice
What other veggies are good on haystacks?
Many veggies are delicious on haystacks, several of which can be found in other egg dishes.
For example:
- Sliced mushrooms
- Fresh spinach
- Diced sweet peppers
- Sliced asparagus tips
- Sweetcorn
What if I don’t like Tex-Mex seasoning?
Here are other seasoning ideas for you. Instead of the Tex-Mex seasoning and the salsa, you could use:
- 2 teaspoons lemon-based spice mixture and 1/3 cup Hollandaise sauce
- 2 teaspoons barbecue spice mix and 1/3 cup fresh chopped tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce with 1/3 cup bean sprouts
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder with 1/3 cup cream-based sauce and a dash of Dijon mustard
What meat could I add besides bacon?
Other meats that work well with haystacks are:
- Shredded chicken
- Sliced sausages or crumbled sausage meat
- Shredded pork
- Cubed roast ham
- Breakfast meat patties
What other ingredients could I add?
Here are some other options for you:
- Crumbled and seasoned tofu (use firm tofu)
- Nacho cheese sauce
- Cooked beans or lentils
- Sliced avocado
- Chopped pineapple
