David Awoyode
After moving away from New York City — and my favorite bodega — I decided to recreate the ultimate breakfast sandwich at home. To do this, I tested recipes from three famous chefs: Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, and Gordon Ramsay.
Martha Stewart’s Quick and Simple Sandwich
Stewart’s recipe, featured on Martha Stewart’s Cooking School, only requires four ingredients: an English muffin, applewood-smoked bacon, fontina cheese, and an egg.
Cooking time took less than 10 minutes, as she fries eggs in bacon grease for easy cleanup.
While fast and convenient, the sandwich was too dry — all crunch without creaminess. Some avocado, sauce, or softer cheese could have improved the balance.
Ina Garten’s Microwave Egg Surprise
Garten’s breakfast sandwich is built around microwave-cooked scrambled eggs. Her recipe includes thick-cut bacon, sharp cheddar, avocado, English muffins, and milk.
Cooking the eggs in 30-second microwave intervals took about four minutes. To my surprise, they turned out light and fluffy, especially with cheddar melted in.
Although the method is smart and quick (under 15 minutes), it was time-consuming for multiple servings and could use extra cheese or hot sauce for stronger flavor.
Gordon Ramsay’s Next-Level Creation
Ramsay’s recipe stood out with brioche buns, goat cheese, cheddar, thick bacon, shallots, scallions, and crème fraîche.
His scrambled egg technique involves alternating the pan on and off the heat, creating a silky, custard-like texture. Adding crème fraîche and scallions elevated the flavor even further.
The combination of creamy eggs, crunchy bacon, and the softness of brioche made Ramsay’s sandwich the ultimate winner. My family agreed, calling it “juicy, light, and fresh.”
The Verdict
While Stewart’s sandwich is perfect for a quick breakfast and Garten’s is ideal for small households with only a microwave, Ramsay’s sandwich is unbeatable. His legendary scrambled eggs make it one of the best breakfast sandwiches I’ve ever eaten.
Charles Esther