B.E.C.

Egg Scramble, Pressed Potatoes, and Chopped Bacon

Chef Cameron Slaugh of The Attic | Los Angeles

Let’s not kid ourselves—Los Angeles has a lot of things that New York City does not. But one thing L.A. is missing for sure are coffee carts on every block. When Chef Cameron Slaugh lived in Manhattan, he’d always pick up a bodega-style bacon, egg, and cheese before a long shift at Park Avenue or Eleven Madison Park. But his morning ritual was broken once he moved to L.A.. Now as the executive chef of The Attic, he’s incorporated his B.E.C. fix into the menu. Slaugh swaps out the hard roll for potatoes that are fried, pressed, cut into rounds, and fried again. Using a ring mold, he cleanly layers the potato with soft-scrambled eggs laced with sharp and aged white cheddar cheese; crispy, chopped bacon; and a sprinkle of scallion greens. All that’s missing is the blue Anthora that reads, “We Are Happy To Serve You.”

Adapted by StarChefs | June 2021

INGREDIENTS:

Pressed Potatoes:
Rice bran oil for frying
2 pounds Idaho or russet potatoes, washed and peeled

Egg Scramble:
4 tablespoons butter
8 eggs, whisked
Salt
¼ cup shredded aged white cheddar cheese
¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 scallion whites, chopped

Chopped Bacon:
6 slices bacon, chopped

To Assemble and Serve:
Oil for frying
Salt
Black pepper, freshly cracked
Scallion greens, sliced on a bias

METHOD:

For the Pressed Potatoes:
Fill a pot no more than half full with rice bran oil. Heat oil to 250°F. Using a cheese grater or food processor, shred potatoes. Immediately drop shredded potatoes into the hot oil then, using a heat-proof spoon, stir for about 30 seconds to prevent clumping. Use a kitchen strainer, transfer potatoes to a parchment-lined quarter sheet tray. Spread potatoes out as evenly as possible then top with another piece of parchment, followed by another quarter sheet tray. Weigh down the sheet tray with a food-safe item. Place the potato trays over another plate or tray in order to catch any oil that drips out from the pressure. Let potatoes rest in fridge until completely cold. 

For the Egg Scramble:
In a nonstick pan, melt butter until foamy. Add eggs and season with salt. Gently and slowly scramble eggs to prevent from browning. Once scrambled, add cheeses then cook about 10 to 15 more seconds to melt. Toss in scallion whites. Remove from heat and set aside.

For the Chopped Bacon:
In a nonstick pan, render bacon until crispy. 

To Assemble and Serve:
Using a ring mold, cut out Pressed Potatoes. Fry at 350°F until golden brown and crispy. Season well with salt. Place a crispy Pressed Potato cake on a plate. Using the same ring mold, evenly layer the Egg Scramble on top of the Pressed Potato cake. Sprinkle Chopped Bacon on top, followed by black pepper and scallions. 

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