Kicked-Up Country Breakfast

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound pork sausage, removed from casings
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, more as needed
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green or red bell peppers
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Essence, recipe follows
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 large Idaho potato, peeled and cubed
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
• Hot toast, or tortillas, accompaniment

Directions

Heat an electric skillet or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring to crumble, until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the butter, and when melted, add the onions, bell peppers, 1 teaspoon of the Essence, the hot sauce, salt, and pepper, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the potatoes (and additional butter if needed to prevent sticking), and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add the parsley and chicken stock, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the potatoes are soft and stock is absorbed, about 10 minutes.

With a spoon, make 4 indentations in the mixture, and break an egg into each. Cover and cook until the eggs are set, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle the eggs with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of Essence and the cheese. Serve immediately with hot toast or tortillas.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup

Recipe from New New Orleans Cooking, by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.