There's a good reason why the Surfer Girl Sandwich at Java Kai in Kauai is so popular. The combination of ingredients works perfectly together to create an epic and memorable breakfast sandwich. Luckily, it’s easy to recreate even if you’re far away.
1bagel of your choice(I recommend an everything bagel)
1teaspoonbutter
2eggsbeaten
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 to 3tablespoonsgrated manchego cheese
1tablespoonpesto
1slicefresh tomato
1tablespooncaramelized onions
2slicescooked baconbroken in half (to fit the sandwich)
Instructions
Halve and toast the bagel to your liking. Set aside.
Melt the butter in a small nonstick pan (ideally, small enough so it’s close to the diameter of your bagel, otherwise you can fold over the edges of the egg in the sandwich so it fits) over medium-low heat. Season the beaten eggs with a little salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Use a rubber spatula to stir the eggs so they cook evenly.
Once the eggs start to set, don’t disturb them. You want it to set almost like an omelet instead of being soft with small curds like regular scrambled eggs. Top with the shredded cheese, lower the heat to low, and cover, allowing the cheese to melt with the residual heat and steam. Fold the edges over as needed so the egg will fit inside the toasted bagel.
Spread the cut side of the bottom of your toasted bagel with pesto. Then top with tomato, caramelized onions and cooked bacon. Finish with the cooked eggs and then place the top half of the bagel over the bottom to enclose the sandwich. Slice in half if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Bacon: Use 2 slices of crispy cooked bacon broken in half to fit inside the sandwich. To cook my bacon, I line a baking sheet with foil and then parchment paper, arrange the bacon in a single layer and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Then I remove them from the pan with tongs and drain on a paper towel.
Caramelized Onions: To make caramelized onions in advance, peel and slice a bunch of onions. Add them along with a pinch of salt to a heavy, wide skillet over medium heat with a little oil or butter. Once softened, reduce the heat to medium-low or low and cook slowly, stirring regularly until the turn a deep, rich brown. If they start to burn, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan and provide a gentle, wet, cooking environment. The caramelization process should take about 45 to 60 minutes if done correctly. Two pounds of onions (weighed before trimming and peeling) will yield about ¾ cup of caramelized onions.