
A historical main dish from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). Be careful when breaking eggs to slip them over the toast so they don't break. The dish should be served immediately after baking.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
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Toast six slices of stale bread
Dip them in hot salted water and butter them lightly
After arranging them on a platter or deep plate, break enough eggs to cover them, breaking one at a time and slip over the toast so that they do not break
Sprinkle over them salt and pepper
Turn over all some kind of thickened gravy—either chicken or lamb, cream or a cream sauce made the same as White Sauce
Turn this over the toast and eggs and bake in a hot oven until the eggs are set, or about five minutes
Serve at once
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
Dipping the toast in hot salted water before buttering prevents it from becoming overly dry in the oven while maintaining structural integrity—the brief soak hydrates the bread just enough to stay tender without becoming soggy. The gravy or cream sauce acts as a heat conductor and protective barrier, allowing the eggs to cook gently and evenly from all sides, creating tender whites and perfectly set yolks. Baking in a hot oven sets the eggs through gentle, even heat distribution rather than direct stovetop contact, preventing rubbery texture.
The gravy or cream sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Reheat gently before using. The bread can be toasted several hours ahead and kept at room temperature, but do not dip in water or assemble the dish until ready to bake.
This dish is not suitable for storage or reheating, as the eggs will become rubbery and the toast will turn soggy. It must be served immediately after baking for best texture and food safety.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The gravy or cream sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Reheat gently before using. The bread can be toasted several hours ahead and kept at room temperature, but do not dip in water or assemble the dish until ready to bake.
This dish is not suitable for storage or reheating, as the eggs will become rubbery and the toast will turn soggy. It must be served immediately after baking for best texture and food safety.