Sautéed Kale, Roasted Sweet Potato and Poached Egg Holiday Toast
What you'll need: bread for toast, kale, eggs, apple cider vinegar, sweet potato, shallot, nutmeg, maple syrup, white onion and pecorino.
Peeling taters.
There's a hint of maple syrup in the roasted sweets -- but not enough to make them cloying.
Roasting potatoes -- or any vegetable -- on aluminum foil keep the cleanup to a minimum.
We softened a mix of onion and shallot in a pan large enough to be able to hold all the kale.
Giving the kale a rough chop. Who wants to deal with a whole kale leaf on their toast?
Some chicken stock.
And then the kale -- a full bunch (ours was medium-ish).
A little apple cider vinegar and some salt and pepper to finish it off.
We eschew the swirling method when we poach eggs -- but it's up to you!
See the tiny bubbles on the sruface of the water at center stage? That's what you're looking for when you poach eggs -- the barest simmer.
Meanwhile, Amanda whips up some beautiful toast and layers it with paper-thin slices of pecorino.
Assembly!
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A&M say: This is the perfect breakfast if you're feeling like you've been overindulging -- especially with the sweets -- but still want something comforting and substantial. Chunks of sweet potato roasted in a little maple syrup, and kale wilted with onion and shallot make a nest for a soft poached egg, and all of this perches atop a chunky slice of toast layered with tangy pecorino. When you cut into the egg, the yolk becomes a silky sauce for all of the other elements. - A&M
cristinasciarra says: When considering holiday recipes, I try to embrace versatility. After all, holiday dining is not confined to one meal period. Equally important is the time in between the ceremonial, family luncheon—breakfast and lunch the next day, the four o’clock snack. Since the holidays almost always involve feeding more mouths than usual, I think it is essential to assess mileage as well as flavor. This toast is colorful and hearty in its own right, but it also serves the handy function of putting leftovers to good use, particularly if you make the sautéed kale and roasted sweet potatoes as side dishes for a big holiday meal. This way, you get three dishes for the price of one!
Serves 2
- 2 small sweet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- sea salt, pepper
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 bunch kale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot
- 1 small white onion
- 1 cup chicken (or vegetable) stock
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 eggs
- 2 thick slices pain de mie
- Pecorino cheese, grated or thinly sliced
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 375°F. Peel and cube potatoes. In a sheet pan (I like to line mine with foil to make cleaning a cinch), hand toss potatoes with canola oil, 1 tablespoon melted butter, maple syrup, ginger, salt and pepper. Roast for about 45 minutes, or until potatoes are lightly caramelized and cooked through.
- Kale: Wash kale and remove stems. Mince shallot and onion, and set in a wide pan with olive oil and ½ tablespoon butter. Cook on medium heat until the shallots and onion are transparent. Add chicken stock. Roughly chop kale, and add to the pan. Stir to incorporate. Cook until the liquid evaporates and the kale is cooked, keeping in mind that kale takes a while to become soft. At the very end, add apple vinegar, and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Eggs: In a medium pot, poach eggs in simmering water for about 3 minutes. When done, remove from water and set aside on parchment paper.
- Toast: Toast slices of bread (you can use any kind you like, but I like pain de mie for it’s milkiness, and it’s structure. Just make sure the bread you choose can withstand all you will pile on top of it). Just before serving, scrape a thin layer of butter on each slice.
- Assembly: Place desired amount of cheese on top of toast. Use a slotted spoon to deposit kale on top of the cheese slices, to remove any excess moisture. Fork sweet potatoes on top of the kale, and then rest a poached egg on top of the sweet potatoes. Finish with a dusting of nutmeg, salt and pepper.
- Your Best Holiday Breakfast II Contest Finalist!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Greens





2 months ago Anna Winslow
Unusual but turned out very delicious. I made mine with carrots instead of potatoes and it still turned out amazing. thank you!
about 1 year ago Foodimentary_Guy
Love this dish. The kale without the stems is not as tart as you would think. I'm from the South so cooked greens on anything in my house ,even breakfast, is expected. A dash or two of hot sauce could make it even better.
about 1 year ago pamelalee
Last Sunday I was planning to make soup for supper, but I had such a busy day that I didn't feel up to it. Then I remembered being intrigued by your recipe. The creative combination of some of my favorite ingredients was all it took to energize me to give it a try. Both my husband and I loved it. I'll be making it again this winter!
about 1 year ago cristinasciarra
I am so glad!
about 1 year ago cookinginvictoria
Congratulations on being a finalist! I really love the simplicity of this dish, and the fact that it is a savory vegetarian entree. The vegetables here and the Pecorino sound yummy together, and I have a hard time resisting any dish that has a poached egg on top. I think that we will be having breakfast for dinner tonight!
about 1 year ago cristinasciarra
Thanks so much! I too have a very hard time resisting poached eggs!
about 1 year ago Ms. T
Congrats, this looks fabulous, and I love the idea that it could be a creative use for leftovers!
about 1 year ago Midge
Some of my favorite ingredients over toast? Yum! Congrats!
about 1 year ago fiveandspice
Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.
Congratulations Cristina! This looks delicious. I make something similar, but never have topped it with a poached egg. That will have to change!
about 1 year ago cristinasciarra
Congratulations to you too! I will definitely be trying your puffs soon :)
about 1 year ago Bevi
Congrats! All of my favorite things are in this!
about 1 year ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Oh, I loved poached eggs!! Congrats!
about 1 year ago susan g
We can't call this a sleeper, because you are wide awake for breakfast. What a relief from all the sugar! I'd love to eat this right now, and will very soon.
about 1 year ago aargersi
I would eat this for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Yum!
about 1 year ago BlueKaleRoad
Congratulations! I can't resist anything topped with a poached egg. This is a most definitely a lovely holiday breakfast.
about 1 year ago sdebrango
Congrats on being a finalist, this is a fantastic recipe good for any meal. Very nice!
about 1 year ago cristinasciarra
Thank you guys so much! I am so excited :)
about 1 year ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
This looks like the perfect "breakfast for dinner," if I ever saw one. Love it! Know my family will, too. ;o)
about 1 year ago EmilyC
Congrats on being a finalist! Love having a savory option for holiday breakfast!
about 1 year ago gingerroot
Congrats! What a delicious looking breakfast, combining some of my favorites, kale and sweet potato. I'll be trying this soon.
about 1 year ago hardlikearmour
Congrats! This sounds like a delicious addition to the holiday menu.