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Meat, South and mountains

Txistorra with fried eggs and potatoes

Txistorra with fried eggs and potatoes is a Basque dish for 4 people, ready in 35 minutes, very easy to make, for about €3.00 per person. The key is cooking the txistorra gently so it releases its fat to crisp up the potatoes, and frying the eggs until the whites are set and the yolks stay runny.

Tonight is simple and Basque, grilled txistorra, fried eggs, and potatoes sautéed with Espelette pepper.

Txistorra with fried eggs and potatoes
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€3.00
Calories per person
760 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Txistorra is a thin Basque sausage seasoned with sweet pepper, it grills quickly and colors the pan with its flavorful fat. Paired with crispy sautéed potatoes and fried eggs, it makes a hearty, slightly smoky dish with just enough kick from the Espelette pepper. It's the kind of plate that's warming without being heavy, with crunchy potatoes against a runny egg yolk.

This is a great weeknight dinner for when you get home late and want something filling without spending hours in the kitchen. Kids generally love txistorra and fried eggs, you can just keep the pepper on the side for sensitive palates. It also works for a relaxed Sunday night, nothing fancy, but a nice change from the usual.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Txistorra 600 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 900 g
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Parsley 4 sprigs

Dairy

  • Eggs 8

Pantry

  • Espelette pepperoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the potatoes, cut them into cubes, and cook them in salted water. 10 min

    Parboil the potatoes halfway, they'll brown later without burning.

  2. Drain them and sauté them in olive oil until golden. 12 min

    Don't stir too often, that's what creates the crust.

  3. Grill the txistorra in another pan, turning it occasionally. 8 min

    The txistorra releases its own fat, no need for oil.

  4. Add the garlic, pepper, and parsley to the potatoes. 2 min

    Add the garlic at the end so it doesn't burn.

  5. Fry the eggs and plate everything up. 4 min

    Cover the pan for a minute, the whites cook through without flipping.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick firm, waxy potatoes, they hold their shape better and brown without falling apart.
  • Serve the moment the eggs are done, the runny yolk and crispy potatoes don't wait around.
  • Cook in two pans at once, one for the txistorra and one for the potatoes, so everything finishes together without you rushing.

The variations

  • Swap the txistorra for mild chorizo if you can't find it, the flavor will be close but a bit firmer.
  • For a vegetarian version, sauté bell peppers and mushrooms instead of the txistorra, with the same Espelette pepper.
  • For kids, serve the potatoes and eggs without the pepper, and add a pinch just for the adults at the end.

What to serve it with

  • A sharply dressed green salad
  • Grilled country bread
  • A glass of Basque cider

Storage

The potatoes and txistorra keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Reheat them in a pan so they crisp back up. It's best to fry fresh eggs each time, they don't keep well once cooked.

Questions about this dish

Can I use a different sausage instead of txistorra?

Yes, mild fresh chorizo or Toulouse sausage both work well. The flavor will be a bit different, less Espelette pepper character, but the dish still turns out great.

How do I keep the eggs from sticking to the pan?

Use a well heated nonstick pan with a little oil before cracking in the eggs. Cover the pan for a minute to set the whites without needing to flip.

Can I prep the potatoes ahead of time?

You can parboil them in the morning and keep them in the fridge. All that's left to do is sauté them in the pan right before serving.

Is Espelette pepper essential?

It gives the dish its typical Basque flavor, but you can swap in sweet paprika if you don't have any. It will be milder but still tasty.

How long does it take to make a Basque txistorra with fried eggs and potatoes?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a Basque txistorra with fried eggs and potatoes?

About 760 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Basque txistorra with fried eggs and potatoes cost?

About €3.00 per serving, or €12.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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