Middle Aged and Living Well

On a recent early morning trip to Phoenix, I had the opportunity to try a breakfast sandwich from my largest competitor, the egg McMuffin from McDonalds.  At the airport at 5:30 in the morning, I snuck in line hoping no one from my competitor would recognize me as I quickly order the sandwich for my taste test comparison.  After fully analyzing their sandwich and ingredients here is how my morning meal compares.

English Muffin

I use a homemade whole wheat english muffin.  I have been obsessed the last month trying to find an easy but tasty recipe for whole wheat english muffins.  While not perfect yet (I need more nooks and crannies), the latest version is tasty with nutty flavor from the whole wheat with a little sourness from a biga and a little citrus acid.  McDonald’s english muffin was a flavorless muffin with a rubbery texture (not toasted enough).  It lacked a flavor to add to the sandwich.

Winner – Jeff McMuffin

Canadian Bacon

McDonalds offer a processed, perfectly round version of canadian bacon.  The Jeff McMuffin uses all natural, uncured, seasoned, antibiotic free canadian bacon.  The McDonald’s version, while providing the proper texture, doesn’t have the depth of flavor of that the all natural version adds to my version.

Winner – Jeff McMuffin

Fried Egg

I am not sure if McDonalds uses free range, antibiotic free eggs like the Jeff McMuffin, but the fried egg is cooked until the yolk is solid and rubbery.  The Jeff McMuffin cooks the fried egg to a over medium state, so that when you bite into the sandwich, the yolk will ooze from the sandwich, giving the consumer an opportunity to lick and taste the sweet egg yolk.

Winner – Jeff McMuffin

Cheese

American Processed cheese vs. Aged Asiago or aged cheddar.  Enough said

Winner  - Jeff McMuffin

Flavorings

Light salt and pepper, vs. kosher salt and freshly ground pepper and a few dashes of homemade habanero hot sauce.  The spiciness gives the Jeff McMuffin a full compliment of flavors.  The Egg McMuffin needs the addition of any flavorings you have or can find.  Ask for or bring your own salsa.

Winner – Jeff McMuffin

So with a sigh of relief, from my own taste testing of my competition, my egg sandwich still reigns as champion.  But where McDonald’s has me beat, they have served billions of egg McMuffins, and I have served 47.  I guess I will hang my hat on quality and not quantity, and claim my victory over a the breakfast king of America.