But of course, there can always be more! Eggs and toast are the ultimate comfort food, so why not incorporate them into a salad? Make some hard-boiled or jammy boiled eggs, and toast some bread on top of the stove. Set them atop your greens and you have an appealing salad that you could serve all by itself as a light meal. If you happen to be grilling or roasting a chicken, this salad would be a standout accompaniment, too.
How (And Why) to Grill Bread on the Stove Top
Instead of popping that bread into the toaster, make the toast for this salad extra special by grilling it on top of the stove. The bread, brushed with olive oil, turns golden and crunchy on the outside but stays deliciously chewy in the middle when cooked in a hot pan on top of the stove. If you have an outdoor grill, then, by all means, toast it outside. I love to use sourdough bread for its tangy flavor, but you could use thick slices of baguette or slices of any rustic loaf.
How to Make the Eggs
The general rule of thumb for cooking hard-boiled eggs is to place them in gently boiling water and time them for 10 minutes, starting from the point you place the eggs in the water. This should yield a yolk that is fully cooked, pale, and almost dry. But my personal sweet spot for boiled eggs is at 8 minutes. At this point, the yolks are mostly cooked yet still a little soft in the middle, and they are bright yellow. If you’re in the mood for a jammy yolk, cook the eggs for six to seven minutes. Have a bowl of ice water ready and waiting before you put the eggs in the boiling water so you can stop the cooking as soon as they’re done to your liking. Stored in their shells, jammy eggs will keep in the refrigerator for up to two days, while hard-boiled eggs will keep for four days or longer.
Need More Lettuce in Your Life? We’ve Got You Covered!
If you want all the vegetables, this Spring Vegetable Salad is for you! Roasted radishes make a crunchy salad that pairs beautifully with salty feta. Add something sweet with this Watercress Salad with Strawberries and Feta. Need something quick, easy and full of flavor? Radicchio Salad with Green Olives, Chickpeas and Parmesan is where it’s at!
Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Gently lower the eggs into the water with a slotted spoon making sure they are completely submerged. Cook them at a steady bubble for 6 to 7 minutes for jammy eggs or 8 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. With a slotted spoon, transfer them to the bowl of ice water and leave for 10 minutes while you prepare the greens and toast the bread. When cool, peel the eggs and cut them in half lengthwise.