Ramekin substitute (for baked eggs/eggs en cocotte)

[Kalthanes]

I saw Daphne Oz, from The Chew, make eggs en cocotte on Thursday. I'd love to make them myself, but I don't have enough in the budget to get ramekins. Would plain coffee mugs be a good substitute, or is there a better option?

[gingershelley]

I have used a cake pan, and even a 13x9 pyrex for baked eggs for a crowd (a dozen eggs in the dish). You don't have to do individual servings to make baked eggs.

Melt the butter in the dish, break in the eggs, drizzle cream over, s&p, cheese or other additions if you want, then bake until cream/whites set and yolks still soft. Just figure out about 11/2" area per egg, and use a pan you have based on that x number of eggs you want to cook. Easy peasy.

[BabsW]

I've used a hollowed-out baked potato with excellent results

[alkapal]

just thought of something i saw elsewhere -- a bacon "bowl" cooked over the upside down muffin tin -- then eggs cooked in those. alternatively, this little concoction looks so fun! bacon and egg muffin cups http://cookingwhims.wordpress.com/201...

[Hank Hanover]

You win.. I can't beat that.

[tim irvine]

Not on point to the OP, but how cool would it be to use the bacon bowl and drop it into a potato birds nest made with one of those cool double baskets?

[Hank Hanover]

So we got bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and toast. Sounds like a new menu item for IHOP.

[alkapal]

woo hoo -- just get that bird's nest extra crispy!!!!

[Chocolatechipkt]

If you're looking to use something you already have, I'd use a muffin tin (if you have one ...)

And if you have a World Market nearby, they have sets of ramekins for just a few dollars.

[JTilCT]

I think they are $1 each at Pier One.

[alkapal]

best alternative would be custard cups. pyrex cups are very inexpensive http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&k... , and they are great for many other uses (mise en place, sauce pots for the table, little floating candle holders, etc.). i think they are carried in most grocery stores, as well, so you don't have to order. also, places like target and wal-mart will have plenty at a good price.

the beneft of these vs. muffin tins is that they are individual serving size, and you can present the eggs in cocotte without "turning out" or "lifting out."

coffee mugs might be cute for a fun & informal weekend brunch for a crowd, but they are a bit deep.

[Hank Hanover]

I bet you could use the foil muffin tin liners. I suspect they would be strong enough to stand without a muffin tin. Not that you would have to.

[drongo]

I'd worry that coffee mugs couldn't take the heat of the oven. I think a muffin pan (sitting in a baking dish with water) would be a good approach.

[Hank Hanover]

I was worried about it but I saw Anne Burrell do it with very delicate tea cups. Well, she did pots de creams but it had to go in the oven. Besides with the liquid in them they won't get very hot.

[Hank Hanover]

I just saw an article that was recommending using bell peppers or thick onion rings for baked eggs.

http://lifehacker.com/5891923/cook-eg...

[seamunky]

cool. i like the onion ring idea. it looks pretty and i loved sauteed onion

[Hank Hanover]

Yeah, I thought the onion ring idea was great. Wonder if there is any other vegetables that could be cut in a circle that would compliment the egg?

[Hank Hanover]

I've seen tea or custard cups used. I see no reason why a muffin tin wouldn't work. Coffee mugs will work fine. Even empty tuna fish cans will work. Presentation might lose a little effectiveness but it will work.

[Jeri L]

I've used coffee mugs successfully.

[mahlzeit_yumyum]

muffin pan? if gooey with muffin cups in a muffin pan?
Never tried, but know that you can cook eggs in muffin pans.

[chocolatetartguy]

Not sure, but how about those little pyrex bowls, assuming that they still make them. I think they were meant for making custard.