Maria Perreca Papa of Perreca's Bakery and Perreca’s Italian Kitchen in Schenectady is sharing her recipe for Eggs in Purgatory.

The best way to describe Eggs in Purgatory is as the ultimate comfort food. It’s nothing more that fresh eggs poached in a medium-hot fry Diavolo sauce (hence the name). My family has been serving this meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner for generations. It has seen us through thick and thin, and now it’s my gift to you during this challenging time when finding another original meal to feed that family can sometimes be a daunting task.

This recipe has been modified to use jarred marinara sauce which you probably already have in your cupboard. My aim is to help you use the food you already have and still provide a delicious meal for your family

Be Well,

Maria Perreca Papa

Ingredients:

  • 1 quart-sized jar of your favorite marinara sauce
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic (sliced thinly)
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon dried pepper flakes (more or less for your taste)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 8 - 10 fresh eggs
  • 3-4 fresh basil leaves if you have them or sub fresh or dried parsley

In a hot skillet, add olive oil and garlic slices, do not let the garlic brown. Heat for just a minute or two to meld the flavors. Then add marinara sauce, garlic powder, parmesan, dried pepper flakes and salt & pepper to taste. Let sauce get bubbly hot before cracking the eggs directly into the hot sauce to poach. Lower heat to med-high and cover for approx. seven minutes for medium running eggs, less time if you like them really running, more time for a harder egg.

Top with freshly torn basil and serve with a nice hard-crusted bread for dunking such as Schenectady’s own, Perreca’s Bread.

Optional scenarios to give your family variety are to…

  • Top with mozzarella cheese
  • Add pre-cooked, crumpled Italian sausage or bacon to the sauce
  • Add other fresh or dried herbs that you have on hand and particularly like

The sky really is the limit here. This is a versatile dish and I hope it will become a perennial favorite in your family like it is in mine.

Perreca’s Bakery is located at 33 N. Jay Street in Schenectady and is open Monday-Saturday from 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They can be reached at 518-372-1875

Perreca’s Italian Kitchen is located at 31 N. Jay Street in Schenectady and is currently offering family style to-go meals that can be picked up in a drive-thru without leaving your vehicle. They can be reached at 518-377-9800.