Aug 31 2026
RestaurantsKeys CafeThe Country Breakfast Recipe

The Country Breakfast Recipe

Inspired by Keys Cafe
Time45m
Serves4

Scrambled Eggs, Italian or Corned Beef Hash

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Scrambled Eggs

Method

Scrambled Eggs

  1. 1

    Beat eggs

    Crack the eggs into a medium bowl. Add the milk, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is uniformly pale and slightly frothy, about 30 seconds.

  2. 2

    Preheat pan

    Place a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt, swirling to coat the surface. The pan should be warm but not hot — butter should foam gently, not brown.

  3. 3

    Cook eggs low and slow

    Pour the beaten eggs into the pan. Let them sit undisturbed for about 10–15 seconds until the edges just begin to set. Using a silicone spatula, draw the eggs from the edges toward the center in gentle folds. Continue to move the eggs every 10–15 seconds, scraping the bottom and rotating the pan so curds form evenly. When the eggs are mostly set but still slightly glossy and runny, remove the pan from heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter; fold it in to stop cooking and add richness. The residual heat will finish them to soft, creamy curds.

  4. 4

    Finish and garnish

    Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Divide onto plates and sprinkle chopped chives or parsley if using. Keep warm while you finish the hash.

Italian Hash (option A)

  1. 5

    Par-cook potatoes

    Place diced potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Simmer until just tender when pierced with a knife, 6–8 minutes. Drain and spread on a tray to steam-dry for a few minutes.

  2. 6

    Cook sausage

    Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage (broken up with a spatula). Cook, stirring and breaking into bite-sized pieces, until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Transfer sausage to a plate and leave fat in the pan.

  3. 7

    Sauté vegetables

    If the pan is very greasy, remove excess fat leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add diced onion and bell pepper and cook until softened and beginning to brown, 5–6 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

  4. 8

    Brown potatoes

    Increase heat to medium-high. Add the par-cooked potatoes in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed 3–4 minutes to develop a golden crust, then toss or flip pieces and continue to brown until most pieces have crispy edges, about 6–8 minutes total. Sprinkle in oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.

  5. 9

    Combine and finish

    Return the cooked sausage to the pan, stirring to distribute. Taste and adjust seasoning. Cook together 2–3 minutes until everything is hot and some edges are crisp. Stir in chopped parsley if using. Serve immediately alongside or under the scrambled eggs.

Corned Beef Hash (option B)

  1. 10

    Par-cook potatoes

    Place diced potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Simmer until just tender when pierced with a knife, 6–8 minutes. Drain and spread on a tray to steam-dry for a few minutes.

  2. 11

    Sauté onion

    Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. When the butter foams, add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

  3. 12

    Brown potatoes and corned beef

    Increase heat to medium-high. Add the par-cooked potatoes to the skillet in a single layer and let them cook undisturbed 3–4 minutes to form a crust. Flip and continue until most pieces have golden edges, about 6–8 minutes. Push potatoes to the side and add the shredded corned beef in the cleared space; let it sear 1–2 minutes, then stir together with potatoes and onions.

  4. 13

    Season and finish

    Stir in Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Press the mixture into the pan and let it cook without stirring for 2–3 minutes to develop browned bits, then flip portions to brown the other side if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in chopped parsley if using. Serve hot with scrambled eggs.

More from Keys Cafe