Willie Lee Recipe

Prepare bacon

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon strips in a single layer and cook 3–5 minutes per side until browned and crisp to your liking. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain. Reserve 1 tsp bacon fat in the skillet and discard excess (or wipe pan and add neutral oil if preferred).

Toast bread

Spread 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter on the outside of each bread slice. Heat a clean skillet over medium-low. Toast bread butter-side down until golden and crisp, 2–3 minutes. Alternatively, toast in a toaster and butter after toasting.

Cook eggs (fried, over-easy suggested)

Wipe the skillet used for bacon (or use a nonstick skillet). Add 1 teaspoon neutral oil and heat over medium. Crack the two eggs into a small bowl, season with 1/4 tsp salt and a pinch of black pepper. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter to the pan and swirl. Pour eggs into the pan and cook until whites are set but yolks still runny for over-easy. For over-easy: when whites are set, gently flip using a spatula and cook 10–20 seconds more. For sunny-side: cover and cook until whites are set but yolks remain runny. Remove eggs; keep warm.

Melt cheese on bread

Place one toasted bread slice butter-side down in the skillet on low heat. Top with one slice Beecher's Flagship cheese and a portion of the warm cooked bacon (2 strips). Cover the skillet briefly (30–60 seconds) until the cheese softens and begins to melt.

Assemble sandwich

Spread 1 teaspoon mayonnaise on the inside of the second slice of toasted bread. On the cheese-and-bacon slice, spoon 1 tablespoon house berry jam and spread gently (jam layer should be even but not runny). Place the cooked egg(s) on top of the jam, season the egg with remaining salt and pepper if needed. Top with the mayo-spread slice of bread, mayo-side down. Press gently to compress.

Finish and serve

Cut the sandwich in half if desired. Serve immediately with microgreens or baby arugula on the side (optional).

Toss microgreens or baby arugula with a tiny pinch of salt and a few drops of neutral oil and place alongside the sandwich as a bright contrast to the sweet jam and rich cheese.