Sliced medium-rare steak with fried eggs, hash browns and toast on a white plate
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Ted Bundy's Last Meal

Steak & Eggs Breakfast

The standard meal, served to a man who requested nothing.

1989Florida State Prison, USAEasy10 mins prep + 15 minsServes 2

The Case

Ted Bundy was executed at Florida State Prison in January 1989.

He declined to request a special final meal. In keeping with practice at the prison, he was served the standard offering: steak cooked medium-rare, eggs over easy, hash browns, toast with butter and jelly, milk and juice. Reports state he did not eat it.

The meal is unusual among widely reported last meals precisely because nothing about it was chosen.

The Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 sirloin steaks (about 250g each)
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 large potatoes, coarsely grated
  • 4 slices white bread
  • 2 tbsp butter, plus extra for the toast
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • Jelly or jam, to serve
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. 01

    Squeeze the grated potato in a clean tea towel to remove as much water as possible. Season with salt and pepper.

  2. 02

    Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Press the potato into a flat cake and fry undisturbed for 6-7 minutes each side until crisp and golden. Keep warm.

  3. 03

    Season the steaks generously. Heat a second pan until very hot and cook the steaks for 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Rest for 5 minutes.

  4. 04

    Wipe out the pan, lower the heat and add butter. Fry the eggs gently, then flip briefly for over easy.

  5. 05

    Toast the bread and butter it while hot.

  6. 06

    Serve the steak, eggs and hash browns together, with toast and jelly on the side.

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