Poached Eggs over Zucchini Ribbons with Avocado, Asparagus, and Spinach Basil Pesto

This green bowl is bursting with nutrients, including healthy fats from the avocado, protein from the poached eggs, and an abundance of vitamins and minerals from the zucchini and pesto. The zucchini ribbons make a great soft base for the poached eggs, and the asparagus adds a bit of a crunch. If you find that poaching eggs is too complicated, you can substitute them with runny sunny-side-up eggs or soft-boiled eggs instead.

Serves 2

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

9 spears mini asparagus1 large zucchini

1⁄2 cup spinach

1⁄2 cup basil

1 tablespoon pine nuts

1 clove garlic

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon filtered water

1⁄2 avocado

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

2 large cage-free eggs

  1. To cook asparagus, preheat oven to 425°F. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over asparagus spears and roast for 15–20 minutes.
  2. Slice zucchini in half and cut off both ends. Spiralize using a straight-noodle blade, so the noodles come out thick and wavy. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add zucchini and cook for 3–4 minutes or until they begin to get soft but not wilted. Place into a bowl.
  3. Add spinach, basil, pine nuts, garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, and filtered water to a blender and blend together until smooth. Set aside.
  4. When asparagus is finished, chop into small pieces. Dice avocado and top zucchini with asparagus and avocado.
  5. To poach eggs, fill a deep, wide pan with about 1" of water. Add white wine vinegar and bring to a boil. Crack each egg into a small ramekin. Bring water to just boil and use a spoon to swirl the water in one direction. Carefully transfer each egg from the ramekin into the center of the whirlpool. Cook for 4–5 minutes and remove eggs with a slotted spoon.
  6. Transfer eggs to zucchini bowl and drizzle with pesto. Enjoy warm.

Struggling with Your Poached Eggs?

If you enjoy a poached egg but can’t seem to get it right, consider buying an egg poacher, which can ensure perfectly shaped eggs if you aren’t able to execute it on your own.