Monk's beard nests

Monk’s beard nests are a delicate and elegant spring dish. The nests are generally made with monk’s beard, also known as friar’s beard, a vegetable slightly salty and earthy in flavor. They can be paired with ingredients like eggs, bacon or cheeses to create a contrast of flavors and textures. Here is the recipe for simple and tasty monk’s beard nests.

Ingredients

• 300 g of monk’s beard (friar’s beard)
• 2 eggs (used to make the ‘nests’)
• 50 g of diced bacon (optional)
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• White vinegar or wine vinegar (for cleaning the monk’s beard)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, to serve)

Preparation

1. Clean the monk’s beard by removing the roots and the hard parts. Wash it in cold water with a little vinegar to remove any earthy residue.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the monk’s beard for about 5 minutes. Drain and plunge into cold water to stop the cooking process and maintain a bright color.
3. In a non-stick frying pan, brown the diced bacon without adding any fats until it becomes crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside.
4. In the same pan, add a drizzle of oil and the well-drained monk’s beard. Sauté for a few minutes to flavor and dry them.
5. Form two ‘nests’ with the monk’s beard in the pan, make a space in the center, and crack an egg into each nest. Cover and cook the eggs until the desired level of doneness is reached.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste and, if you like, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
7. Plate the nests with a bit of crispy bacon on top or around for an extra touch of taste.

Suggestion:

If you want an extra Italian touch, add some Parmesan cheese or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar of Modena when serving. The nests are excellent served with a side of baked potatoes or a fresh spring salad.

This dish represents an innovative and pleasing way to present monk’s beard, transforming a simple vegetable into a unique dish rich in different flavors and textures. Monk’s beard with its unique taste evokes Italian tradition while respecting seasonality.