BLT Breakfast Bagels

As I'm writing this, an almighty thunderstorm is lashing against my windows. A darkness has set in and I am finding it so overwhelmingly comforting. Huge crashes of thunder and persistent rain. I am so amazingly ready for Autumn, I don't know if you can tell?

Talking of comfort, I have a love hate relationship with bagels, mainly because they remind me of my hungover youth and trips to McDonald's. Alas, I've stepped them up a gear here and made sure I chose a thinner variety. Sometimes all that dough just overwhelms everything else and it feels stodgy. I've given up the drinking, but I will never pass on an epic breakfast. I mean, I'd much rather have them for brunch after an epic lie in, but you know; toddlers.

Serves: 2Prep Time: 10 minsCook time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 2 Seeded bagels ( I used Warburtons)
• 2 large eggs
• 4 rashers bacon
• Mixed salad leaves
• 1 large tomato
• 1 ripe avocado
• Cheese and Chive Cheese (I used Primula)
• 2 Cheese triangles
• Butter
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tblsp maple syrup

Directions

1. If bagels aren't already cut in half, do this step. Horizontally cutting them through the middle in to equal parts.
2. Make the bagel hole on the top section a little wider than already there with a sharp knife. (Use bottom bagel in second pic for size reference.)
3. Grab two frying pans, if you have a skillet pan or a pan with an oven proof handle, this would be best as the pan will need to go in the oven. if you are really stuck, you can change this later step for the grill.
4. Pre-heat oven to 180c/gad mark 4.
5. Add a knob of butter to your skillet/oven proof pan and set on a medium heat. Butter the top half of your bagel, underside. Place cut side down on the pan, once pan is hot, crack your eggs in to the hole. Cook for 1 minute, so bottom sets, then transfer your pan to the oven and cook until egg is just set - about 5-7 mins. As mentioned above, you can put them under the grill if your pan wont go in the oven, just set it to a low heat so the eggs cook thoroughly.
6. Whilst your pan is in the oven, add a little oil to the second frying pan. Add your bacon, once it has started cooking add the maple syrup. Turn bacon half way through, cook until crispy.
7. With 2 mins to go of your eggs, spread a generous amount of cheese and chive spreadable, and top it with a cheese triangle. Pop them in the oven to melt whilst your eggs finish.
8. Once all is cooked, layer your bagels cheese side at the bottom, top with bacon, sliced avocado, tomato, salad leaves, then the egg half of your bagel. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.