Cheesy Cheeseless Eggs

This takes a bit of time, but I promise you: They're called my Cheesy Cheeseless eggs for a reason. They come out so rich and dense and creamy, and it's all just in the technique (well, technique and a little heavy cream). So pull a barstool up to the stove and slowly stir your little heart out while watching Housewives. (I mean, I don't watch that trash.... I mean, who cares about Dorinda and Vicki and Tamra and her gym and Briana's baby and Kenya being Gone-with-the-Wind fabulous and Kim and her aggro dog? I've never seen an episode in my life.)

Ingredients :

for the
EGGS

12 really good-quality eggs (the ones with the really yellow yolks)

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

1/3 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons butter

for the
BURST CHERRY TOMATOES

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 cups cherry tomatoes (about 1 pound)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup thinly sliced chives (optional)

Garlic-Roasted Bacon (optional)

Instructions :

MAKE THE EGGS: In a bowl, whisk the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper until they look like melted ice cream.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil and butter over low heat until the butter is melted but not super hot. You will get the urge to bump up the heat—do not do it!!! Add the eggs and cook, stirring. This will test your patience and any tendencies toward ADHD. Cook, stirring incessantly, until the eggs are custardy and form small curds, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the heat.

MAKE THE TOMATOES: During the last 10 minutes of egg-cookin' time, heat a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat until really hot (it should be hard to get your hand close to the skillet). Add the oil and swirl it around, then add the tomatoes and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Let the tomatoes cook, tossing every couple of minutes, until they're blistered and kind of shriveled, 5 to 6 minutes total.

Serve the eggs hot with the chives on top, if using, the tomatoes, and the bacon, if desired. Season with more salt and pepper.