Eggs in Potato Hollows

4 cups cold mashed potatoes
1/2 cup crumbled, crisp bacon or diced ham
1/4 cup minced onion
8 eggs
1/4 cup chopped, fresh herbs (tarragon, dill, parsley)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Bacon fat or butter
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 cups shredded cheese (or cheddar or jack)

Combine mashed potatoes, bacon, onion, herbs and pepper, stirring until well mixed.

Grease a shallow baking pan with bacon fat or butter, sprinkle with bread crumbs. Spoon 8 mounds of potato mixture into pan. With back of spoon, make deep depressions, large enough to contain eggs in the potatoes. Bake at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes or until potatoes are hot.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Break 1 egg into each potato hollow. Bake for 20 minutes or until eggs are set. Sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven until cheese melts and eggs are done.