If you’re going to serve an egg sandwich, you best do it up right. Layer hot, scrambled eggs in a crusty, toasty baguette and wrap ’em up. Make sure there’s something green in there to keep you strong and healthy. Tie it with a bow. Simply put: turn breakfast into a present for your belly.

I learned this trick from Niger.

When I dug around for traditional recipes I kept stumbling upon the same thing: eggs sandwiches sold by street vendors.

Simple. Comforting. Filling.

This is the kind of thing people crave once they leave Niger – a fond memory in the making. Most people say they come wrapped in old newspapers, but any old paper does the trick. Turns out wrapping up a sandwich is by far the best thing you can do to help keep your eggs from running away. Particularly if you’re 3 years old.

Just ask Ava.

Seriously. This could have been bad.

While I used spinach and a little green onion in our sandwich, the fine folks of Niger often add a leafy vegetable called Malahiya – indigenous throughout the region (and as far east as Japan). The plant goes by many, many names including Corchorus, Mulukhiyah and mallow-leaves.

Malahiya grows easily and abundantly, and so it is a natural meal booster in Niger (and as an added bonus the fibers can be used to make jute). If you would like to learn more about Malahiya, I recommend checking out this interesting post from Esther Garvi. Apparently when cooked Malahiya gets a bit slimy, as one commenter notes:

How about a suitably slimy marahiya omelette, French baguette, and a cup of strong coffee? A breakfast sure to make Ramadan a breeze. Just the notion of it…hmm…makes my day. – Jerome

Man in West Africa with egg sandwich, copyright the Chekaraou Family on TravelBlog. Malahiya by J.M.Garg.

Makes enough eggs to fill one standard baguette, which can be comfortably cut into 4 portions.

Ingredients:

1 baguette

6 eggs
1 cup very loosely packed baby spinach (about a handful), chopped
1 heaping Tbsp chopped green onion
1/8 tsp paprika or, for heat, cayenne
salt & pepper
butter or oil, for cooking

Method:

Let’s meet at the dunes of Niger. What a dreamy spot to make our toasty, toasty sandwiches.

Dunes de Temet. Photo by Jacques Taberlet.

Put on a little music from Niger to get in the mood..  (P.S. I tried and cannot do what those ladies are doing. Amazing.)

Now, let’s get started. Gather your happy eggs; they are the star of this show (gotta love eggs that come with “news”).

Whisk them together with chopped baby spinach, green onion, salt, and pepper. Don’t forget to sprinkle on the paprika (or cayenne if you’re feeling feisty).

Split the baguette and cut into desired sandwich lengths. Toast under a broiler until golden brown and perfectly crunchy. Meanwhile, scramble the eggs.

Load up the eggs inside the bread and wrap with parchment paper or newspaper.

Sneak a bite if you’d like. I won’t tell.

Tie it up tight.

Smile.

There you have it. Perfect for a picnic at the park.

Or at the dining table. You know… if it’s 106F out. Again.

Serve with a cup of Sage n’ Green Tea (stay tuned for that recipe!)

Enjoy yourself.

The eating is the adventure.

Who is this man? Seriously. I told him to show me his sandwich and “act natural.”

Happy, happy, happy.

Enjoy, with love from Niger.

West African Toasted Baguette Sandwich with Spinach Scrambled Eggs

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While I used spinach and a little green onion in our sandwich, the fine folks of Niger often add a leafy vegetable called Malahiya - indigenous throughout the region (and as far east as Japan). The plant goes by many, many names including Corchorus, Mulukhiyah and mallow-leaves.

• CourseBreakfast
• LifestyleVegetarian
• Food TypeMiss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sandwiches & Wraps, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Servings

2 people

Servings 2 people

West African Toasted Baguette Sandwich with Spinach Scrambled Eggs Votes: 0 Rating: 0 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe While I used spinach and a little green onion in our sandwich, the fine folks of Niger often add a leafy vegetable called Malahiya - indigenous throughout the region (and as far east as Japan). The plant goes by many, many names including Corchorus, Mulukhiyah and mallow-leaves. CourseBreakfast LifestyleVegetarian Food TypeMiss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sandwiches & Wraps, Sasha's Favorite Recipes Servings 2 people Servings 2 people

Ingredients

• 1 baguette
• 6 eggs
• 1 cup baby spinach (chopped), loosely packed
• 1 heaping Tbsp green onions (chopped)
• 1/8 tsp paprika -OR-
• 1/8 tsp cayenne , to taste
• salt
• pepper
• butter , for cooking

Servings: people

Units:MetricUS Imperial

Instructions

1. Whisk the eggs together with chopped baby spinach, green onion, salt, and pepper. Don't forget to sprinkle on the paprika (or cayenne)
2. Split the baguette and cut into desired sandwich lengths.
3. Toast under a broiler until golden brown and perfectly crunchy.
4. Meanwhile, scramble the eggs.
5. Load up the eggs inside the bread and wrap with parchment paper or newspaper.