It's no secret that I'm super obsessed with Le Creuset and their entire product line. In fact, my goal is to some day have an entire Le Creuset dream kitchen. It would be like my heaven and I'd probably never leave 🙂 Which is A-OK with me. I'm kind of running out of room in my current kitchen... which means an upgrade will eventually be in order. You know, just for the Le Creuset and all. Last week was a completely amazing week in Le Creuset land for me. Not only did Rue La La have special sale, but Chels brought me my birthday present (she originally got me the same Le Creuset grill pan Chris got me... Clearly they both know me quite well!). Here's what my new stash looks like:
Yay! Is it just me or does pretty dishware make you even more excited to cook? I could sit and stare at my new collection all day. I love the classic cobalt blue, but was also excited to see a few lilac pieces on Rue La La.
This past week has been spent dreaming up a million things I want to make.
I've been wanting a set of mini cocottes for pretty much forever now. I know they're not the most functional things in the world, but they're so freaking cute. And Rue La La had a really good sale on the set of 4-seasons cocottes.
I think these will be super fabulous to use for serving sides during a dinner party and great molten chocolate cakes, but I obviously couldn't wait to use them. So, I did some research and on a night that I didn't feel like cooking, I decided to make the simple Eggs en Cocotte (baked eggs). I liked how Food Republik gave their eggs a spinach base for a little added nutrition and flavor and took their lead.
The best thing about this recipe is that exact measurements really don't matter. You can kind of go with the flow and toss in whatever you want. The following shows what I did, but feel free to improvise!
Eggs En Cocotte with Spinach (makes 2):
• ½ T butter
• 3 handfuls baby spinach
• 4 T cheddar cheese (I used a spicy chipotle from Cabot)
• 2 eggs
• 1 t dried thyme
• 1 T grated parmesan
• Salt and pepper
(Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees)
Start by buttering your ramekins generously.
With a Le Creuset spatula, if you have one 🙂
Wilt spinach in olive oil over medium heat. Once it's wilted, put in a bowl and squeeze out as much excess water as you can.
Divide spinach equally into cocottes. If you don't have super cute little mini Le Creusets, you can really use any type of 8 oz-ish ramekin.
Grate or chop your cheese if need be. Cabot sent me this chipotle cheddar and I'm absolutely in love with it. It's perfectly spicy without being too hot, a little bit smokey, and packed with flavor. I knew it would be a good choice for this dish.
I roughly chopped some of the cheese and put it over the spinach.
Crack an egg in each ramekin over the cheesy spinach. It's a good idea to crack the egg in another bowl first, so you can make sure the yolk stays in tact. Then carefully pour the egg into the cocotte.
Sprinkle the top with any herbs you want (I used some thyme), salt and pepper, and parmesan cheese (or any kind you desire!).
Now you'll want to fill a baking dish halfway with water to place your cocottes in.
I used my Le Creuset roaster dish 🙂 Yes, I'm obsessed! And I swear Le Creuset is not compensating me in any way for this post (they did send me the roaster pan and spatulas last year, but I was obsessed long before then).
Put the entire baking dish in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for about 12-18 minutes. Mine definitely took a bit on the longer side to cook... It's tough to keep the yolk runny (if that's how you like it), while also making sure the rest of the egg is cooked. You definitely have to keep your eye on it!
When they're done, take the whole baking dish out of the oven. Be careful because it's hot and full of water!
And look! Perfectly cooked eggs 🙂 And pretty to boot!
This is my deal dish for when I'm not in the mood to cook up a big meal, but want something comforting and delicious.
Of course, it would be even better with a little crumbled bacon sprinkled on top, right? Next time!
I love runny yolks and can't stand when I have eggs with hard yolks. Especially in a dish like this one. This is also perfect for sopping up with toast 🙂
And that is only the first dish of many that I'll be making with my mini cocottes. Speaking of, isn't mini cocotte kind of like an oxymoron? Doesn't cocotte imply mini? Or is that just me? Oh well, I love them!
Do you have a cookware brand that you're obsessed with? I have many, but when it comes to high-quality, keep forever stuff, Le Creuset is where it's at for me.
Happy Friday to everyone 🙂 I'm welcoming the soon-to-be warm weather with some homemade mojitos and time spent in the kitchen tonight. What are you up to?
[Sues]
Karen says
I LOVE these little cocottes!! And Susie, what's inside sounds delicious. Can't wait to see everything in person SOON!!
Mary says
Your eggs look truly wonderful. I wish I could join you. I hope you have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary
Brittany says
Your little creusets are gorgeous..and so is this delicious recipe! The colours of the green and the lovely fresh egg jumps of the page.
Maris (In Good Taste) says
Great recipe and gorgeous cookware!
Lauren @ Healthy Food For Living says
I've been wanting to make eggs en cocotte for a while now, and what better way bake them then in Le Creuset?! They came out perfectly, and I agree that a runny yolk is totally the way to go. I tried that cheese in sample packs that Cabot sent me and loved it... I must track down the full size version!
Simply Life says
oh those are fun! I LOVE my kitchenaid mixer and treat it (her) like a child 🙂
Erica says
Does the egg get fully cooked through? Or is it still a little runny? I SO want to try this, but have a feeling I'm going to have to wait until we're post baby. Le Creusets stuff is AMAZING. I also actually really like Rachael Rays line
Wendy says
I love La Crueset! My favorite one is very old (I prefer the term seasoned 🙂 & I use it all the time! <3. I am putting these adorable cocettes on my wish list! Mothers Day is coming soon....
Michelle says
My Le Creuset "French" oven is one of my FAVORITE pieces of cookware!
Meghan@travelwinedine says
SO cute! And delicious looking. I have not tried that Cabot cheese yet, but I will be looking for it this weekend!
Chris says
LOVE Love love those minis! Not knowing what to actually use them for, I have resisted the urge to buy them thus far, but that was a great idea (not that I'm big into eggs)! I don't know what you paid for them obviously, and I can't remember what they're usually price for there, but I see them (and a few other shapes) all the time at Tuesday Morning. You might want to check out the ones near you. I think there is a Tues Morning in Dedham and another in Andover?? I remember going to the one in Dedham once and not being impressed. Haven't been to any others in MA.
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
Obv. I'm obsessed with Le Creuset (in addition to my Loubous) and, after seeing this post today - I MUST get those minis in Carribean. Currently I have been purchasing the new ocean color from Williams Sonoma but I have a host of colors and the Le Creuset cookware is always high quality, looks fabulous and, imo, makes my dishes turn out fabulously. So glad that you added to your LC collection and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you have a fully outfitted LC kitchen one day Sues!
Candace Karu says
I make Eggs in a Cup much the same way, but ooooh la la, when they're in Le Creuset...that's ratcheting up the play of the game. And I love that you used Cabot Chipotle Cheddar for a bit of a kick! Nicely done!
Megan says
I am obsessed with Le Creuset too and love my mini cocottes. I've made baked apples in them and want to do mini chicken pot pies as well... and now I'll have to do some baked eggs too. And I agree, bacon crumbled on top would be just perfect!
Bee says
Ooh those look just lovely. After a childhood of hating eggs, I'm really enjoying them as an expanded-palate adult. Gooey, runny eggs are where it's at. LOVE those cocottes too, so cute!
To Kiss the Cook says
Thinking this has to be my favorite thing to make for group brunches. Simple but very elegant. Lookin good:)
Kristin @ FoodFash says
I'm kicking myself in the tush for not seeing Le Creuset on Rue La La! AND! Super jealous of your collection...
Sharlene says
Those little cocottes are the cutest little things! A Le Creuset obsession is a bit too expensive for my budget at the time but I definitely have a window-shopping obsession with them!
5 Star Foodie says
Those are cute little baking dishes! And the eggs sound so good especially with the chipotle cheddar.
Pam says
Oh, how cute is that, I want some little cocottes to try this recipe too, I loved it 🙂
xoxo
Aryanna says
I love Le Creuset. Another one of my obsessions is Emile Henry. I got the artisan ruffled pie dish as a wedding gift and absolutely love it. The entire line is awesome and I wish I could have a full set!!
emily @ the happy home says
chelsee knows how to give a gift! that's awesome, and those look SO good!
Michelle Collins says
This looks delicious - I also love runny eggs! And I NEED to find that chipotle cheese!
k8 says
and with bacon sprinkled on top that makes it "green eggs and ham"... (yes, I love it, Sam-I-am)
rita says
girl, i think i found a new comfort food. although, i don't have le creuset 🙁 - i'll use some ramekins. one day, when i have a bigger kitchen, i'll start collecting those.
Monique says
Guess who has an abundance of fresh spinach and nothign to do with (until now)
I dont have those cute little thingys to put them in but I might use my cast iron skillet.
Nicole says
How cute! Everything is more adorable when mini. I love Le Creuset products, but only have ramekins at this point. I love the lilac color.
Lauren @ Sassy Molassy says
Oh man, I totally want those. They are adorable and functional! I love everything Le Creuset, just don't love the price tag. ;(
jaclyn@lifeoftodayslady says
Those cocottes are so so cute!!! I cant wait for you to make molten chocolate cakes with them...... please do it soon 🙂
Alicia Fidalgo says
I am also obsessed with Le Creuset - and love my mini cocotte's!! I need more ideas for what to put in them....because I want to eat EVERYTHING out of them 🙂
Bren says
I must have those little pots. I'm thinking of so many things I could cook in them...little individual chicken pot pies, onion soup, cobblers... The mind reels. But for today, I'm making oeufs en cocotte in little ramekins that are not nearly as cute. 🙂
Jane says
I use Denby brand and love them. Found them at Tuesday Morning for under $20 each. A good way to start on a budget