During the gold rush, Placerville, California was known as "Hangtown," for obvious reasons. As legend has it, a miner who had just struck it rich, walked into a restaurant and demanded the most expensive breakfast possible. The cook fried together the three most expensive ingredients at the time; bacon, eggs and oysters. This delicious and decadent breakfast became known as the Hangtown fry.

The original recipe had the oysters cooked right into the scrambled eggs, but modern versions place fried oysters on top of the eggs for a more refined plate. I just filmed a video recipe for making this great dish, and I hope you will give it a try.

By the way, it was reported that this dish was a popular "last meal" request among those unfortunate souls awaiting their walk to the gallows. Since it often took a few days to procure all three ingredients for the Hangtown fry, the condemned man could stall his inevitable fate.

More Great California Classics:
Cioppino - San Francisco's Famous Seafood Stew
The Cobb Salad
10-Minute Vegetable Chili

Photo © John Mitzewich