A pork roll egg and cheese is a classic breakfast sandwich,
particularly popular in New Jersey, where
its main ingredient, pork roll, originated...
The sandwich consists of fried pork roll, a fried egg, and cheese on a hard roll or better known as a kaiser bun.
What is pork roll?
Pork roll is a processed meat made from a combination of cured and minced pork that is shaped into a cylindrical log.
Pork roll vs. Taylor Ham: While it is commonly known by its brand name, "Taylor Ham," there is an ongoing debate in New Jersey over whether to call it "pork roll" or "Taylor Ham".
Created by John Taylor in 1856 in Trenton, NJ, it was originally sold as "Taylor's Prepared Ham". The name was changed to "pork roll" after the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, as the product no longer met the new legal definition of ham.
Cultural divide: The North Jersey region still predominantly refers to it as "Taylor Ham," while Central and South Jersey more commonly use the official name, "pork roll".
How to prepare the sandwich
Score the pork roll: To prevent the circular slices from curling up when cooked, make a few small cuts or "snipe" the edges before frying.
Fry the pork roll: Cook the scored pork roll slices in a pan or on a griddle over medium heat until they are golden brown and crispy.
Cook the egg: While the pork roll is cooking, fry an egg to your desired doneness, seasoning with salt and pepper.
Melt the cheese: Place two or more slices of American cheese (preferably Velveeta) on top of the cooking egg to melt, or place it on the bun.
Toast the roll: For added texture, lightly butter and toast the kaiser roll.
Assemble and serve: Place the pork roll and cheesy egg on the toasted roll. Popular condiments include ketchup and hot sauce.
Can't find it at your local Supermarket? You can order it online here with choices.
Trust me, it's worth it. Just click on this picture:
What's the difference between this and fried bologna? It looks like fried bologna.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of it, The geography split/different name thing is pretty cool too.
DeleteHow is this different from Bologna?
ReplyDeleteThe rest of the country calls it baloney.
ReplyDeletePrior to1906, it was Taylor's Improved Ham. Also, white /american cheese is superior to Velveeta.
ReplyDelete50 years ago in the service we called it "horsecock sandwiches."
ReplyDeletefor those who follow kashrut, it should be noted that this delicious sandwich is impermissible, meat and milk (products) may not be eaten at the same meal; thou shalt not boil a calf in it's mother's milk (Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26, and Deuteronomy 14:21 )
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ReplyDeleteWhatever you, or anyone else, cares to call it - pork roll, Taylor ham - for breakfast, even for lunch, and even for a nice change-of-pace supper, nothing else beats a pork roll, egg, & cheese on a real New Jersey hard (not a "Kaiser") roll. Like you, Giusepp', I miss enjoying that sandwich's goodness. (And I confess to adding some ketchup!)
Born and raised in Florida over 65 years, with both parents from Jersey, family would come down with Taylor Pork Roll as a gift. Nothing like it cooked for breakfast. Bologna doesn’t even come close. Very expensive but your local public’s should be able to get it for you. And yes, I still like cooked bologna too.
ReplyDeleteKen
Pork roll is not baloney, it's nothing like baloney. Pork roll has a delicious flavor all its own, and I prefer it greatly over fried baloney. (Another taste treat is to top a cheeseburger with two or three slices of fried pork roll . . . : YUM!)
ReplyDeleteIt's baloney. Might have a couple of different spices, but it's made with the same ingredients and made the same way you make baloney.
DeleteAnd baloney rings in a hell of a lot lower than $52/lb.
here in the deep south we use thick fried bologna. it's not heaven but you can see it from here.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what you call it, it looks puke inducing.....
ReplyDeleteYou beg a whole new discussion: Is it a hard roll or a Kaiser roll? The only place I remember seeing Kaiser was on the packages next to bread in the food store. In every bakery they were called hard rolls.
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