Baked Eggs with Lemon, Cream and Poppyseeds

This simple dish deserves the best, freshest eggs you can find. serve it with a crusty baguette, split down the middle and lightly toasted, for scooping and dipping. Add a small green salad and you have the makings of an elegant lunch or brunch. Note that you’ll need to use 4½- to 5-inch ramekins for individual servings.

 

6 teaspoons Lemon-Infused Olive Oil, extra-virgin olive oil, or melted butter, divided

1 medium shallot, finely minced, divided

2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest, divided

1 ounce Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about ½ cup), divided

¾ cup heavy cream, divided

Kosher salt

8 eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoons poppy seeds, divided

4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives, divided

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Thoroughly coat the bottom and sides of 4 ovenproof ramekins or baking dishes, using 1½ teaspoons of the oil for each. Put the ramekins on a baking sheet with sides (to make moving them in and out of the oven easier). Divide the shallot among the ramekins, adding no more than 2 teaspoons per dish. Add 1½ teaspoons of the zest and 1 tablespoon of the cheese to each ramekin, cover with 1 tablespoon of the cream, and season with a pinch of salt. Carefully crack 2 eggs into each dish, starting with a new one if the yolk breaks. Pour 2 tablespoons of the remaining cream over each yolk and sprinkle it with 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese, ½ teaspoon poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the eggs are just slightly set. Garnish each egg with 1 teaspoon of the chives and serve immediately.