The masters egg sandwich has been a staple of brunch menus for decades. When made well, it hits all the right notes: a fluffy English muffin, crisp bacon, melted cheese, and a perfectly cooked egg. The classic ingredients come together in a portable, handheld package that satisfies like no other sandwich.
The foundation of a great masters egg sandwich is the English muffin. Look for a high-quality muffin with lots of nooks and crannies to cradle melted cheese and catch drips of runny egg yolk. Thomas’ English Muffins and Bays English Muffins are excellent options. Split the muffins in half horizontally and toast them until lightly browned.
For the bacon, choose a high-quality strip bacon that will remain crisp even under the weight of the other fillings. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until browned and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
A masters egg sandwich isn’t a masters egg sandwich without a perfectly cooked egg. For a classic sandwich, fry two eggs in the bacon grease in the skillet until the whites are completely set but the yolks are still runny. For extra decadence, top the eggs with a slice of cheese during the last minute of cooking so it melts over the top.
To assemble the sandwich, place the toasted English muffin halves on a plate or flat surface. Top each half with two or three strips of bacon, followed by a fried egg. Season the eggs with salt and pepper. Put the English muffin tops in place and slice the sandwich in half.
The first bite of a masters egg sandwich is a revelation of flavors and textures: the spongy English muffin, the salty bacon, the creamy melted cheese, the unctuous egg yolk that dribbles down your chin. It’s a sandwich that tastes of comfort and childhood, tradition and simplicity. No wonder it has endured for generations and shows no signs of fading from popularity. On the contrary, today’s obsession with brunch and artisanal ingredients has only made the masters egg sandwich more prominent.
When made with care and high quality components, the humble masters egg sandwich is an exemplar of culinary perfection. One bite transports you, eliciting memories of lazy Sunday mornings, family breakfasts, and simpler times. For a sandwich with so few ingredients, its resonant powers prove that sometimes less is more.