Being at home most days my wife likes to tune into a daytime cookery/chat show on itv called ‘Let’s do lunch with Gino and Mel‘. It is in my opinion one of the best cookery shows on the TV for several reasons. Firstly, Gino (the professional chef who is Italian) and Mel are a perfect team. Both very good-looking, he (being Italian) often says the wrong words for things, which is then picked up by Mel and creates a good laugh. Additionally unlike some chefs if an apparently stupid question is asked he doesn’t shrug it off – it answers it as best he can, because let’s face it not everyone is talented in the kitchen.

Then if you add the celebrities they have on (some can cook and some can’t) and you have a recipe for success. But then we have Gino’s challenge! Everyday Gino is challenged by a member of the public to do various things from playing glasses to eating very hot chilli’s. And everyday the public get to pick from a choice of two recipes for him to cook. So with the laughs, recipes, and guests it is a roaring success! Oh and did I say that my wife and grand-daughter both think Gino is very handsome (something I have yet to hear after thirty years of marriage) 🙂

Anyway the other day he did a recipe for Cheese and ham eggy crumpets and despite my love for crumpets I’ve never had them like this before, so definitely one to try.

Eggy crumpets with pepper and tomato salad

Ingredients

4 crumpets
4 slices of cooked ham
150 g your favourite cheese, grated
2 eggs, beaten
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil

For the salad:

A good glug of olive oil
1 large handful mixed tomatoes, sliced into bite sized wedges or halves
½ red or yellow pepper, cut into thin strips
1 tbsp basil leaves, chopped
1 tbsp flat leaf parsley, chopped
A splash of balsamic vinegar

Method

Slice the crumpets down the middle to create two halves. Place the ham and cheese on one half and then cover with the other.

Beat the eggs in a large bowl and season well.

Soak the crumpets in the egg mix, pressing down both sides so it soaks it all up.

Heat a frying pan with a little oil or butter. Fry the crumpets for about 2 minutes on each side until the egg is cooked and the cheese has melted in the middle.

Meanwhile, heat another pan with a good glug of olive oil, add the peppers then tomatoes and cook over a high heat until starting to soften.

Add in the balsamic and herbs then turn off the heat and season well. Serve right away with the crumpets.

If you prefer to watch the video click here