Ingredients
11 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon safflower oil, plus more for brushing (optional)
8 ounces breakfast sausage, casings removed
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1 cup finely shredded Asiago (4 ounces)
Preparation
Prepare an ice bath. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully add 9 eggs; boil 6 minutes. Transfer to ice bath until cool enough to handle, then carefully peel and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
In a medium skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high. Add sausage and cook, stirringto break up, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate; let cool slightly. Chop into pea-size pieces.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 9 cups of a standard 12-cup muffin tin with baking cups, or lightly brush with oil. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. In another bowl, whisk together remaining 1/2 cup oil, sour cream, 1/4 cup water, and remaining 2 eggs. Stir wet ingredients into dry until just combined. Fold in sausage, scallions, and 1/2 cup cheese. (Batter willbe thick and doughlike.)
Fill each prepared muffin cup with 2 tablespoons batter. Nestle a cooked egg in each. For each cup, scoop 2 more tablespoons batter and flatten it slightly to form a disk. Cover egg with disk; gently press to seal. Sprinkle tops with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake until golden and tops spring back when lightly touched, about 22 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes in tin, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
