Episode 69 - Time Out

Oh, hello Internet! Meet my newest sandwich friend:

Isn't he beautiful?

His name is Morning Manwich and he was introduced to me by Dawson this past Sunday afternoon.  The encounter happened like this:

The power was out all over Carleton Place on Sunday morning and so obviously we took the lack of electricity as the perfect excuse to stay warm and cuddled in bed until noon.  Noon!  Oh, Internet, it was glorious. Dawson was allll mine for the spooning.  The only downside- by the time we dragged our butts out of bed we were starving -when you're used to breakfast at 6am, noon is a bit of a stretch.  Enter Dawson and Morning Manwich to save the day.  This sandwich is probably the most filling thing I have ever eaten.  It has everything - eggs, meat, cheese - total protein overload.  When you need something to tide you over for 2 meals brunch-style definitely give this creation a try!

2 slices whole wheat bread (we used homemade honey oat)

2 eggs, cooked overeasy

1 slice old cheddar cheese

2 oz or so shaved lean smoked meat

1 tsp mayo

1 tsp hot sauce

Build the sandwich: spread mayo on the bread then add the eggs, cheese, meat and hot sauce.  Cook the whole thing in a skillet over medium heat until the bread is nice and golden and the cheese gets gooey.  Slice him in half and devour!  I promise you won't be hungry by the time you finish!

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Episode 67 - Knight in Shining Armour

There was a moment.  Actually, not really a moment, more like a situation that made me realize Dawson's complete awesomeness.  I mean, I always thought he was pretty darn neat but this really sealed the deal for me.  This one morning I was over at his place and we decided we needed to have french toast for breakfast.  Of course, upon checking we realized we had neither eggs nor bread to make this french toast.  As such we headed out to the store to get some - in our pjs.  Now of course this HAD to be the time that my car would get a flat tire and we would get stranded half way between home and the store.  Stranded.  In our pjs.  Oh, and did I mention it was minus 100000 degrees outside?  Completely frigid.  In any case, amid my panicked phone call to my dad to come get us - my go-to move in these types of situations - Dawson simply got out of the car, found my jack and spare tire (which I didn't even know I had) and voila - changed my tire.  He got down on the cold pavement, in his pyjamas and changed my tire in weather that would only be fit for someplace awful like Antarctica.  He did all this while not wearing any mitts and without a single word of complaint.  Yeah, this one's a keeper alright.

Plus, did I mention he looks like this?!  Geeeeeze.

We never ended up having our french toast that morning after all the commotion.  Nope, instead I took my knight in shining armour out for some type of ridiculously huge diner breakfast to show my overwhelming appreciation.  We DID have french toast today though!  Listen to this - Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Pancakes.  To die for.  You need to try these.

5 slices whole wheat bread

4 eggs, scrambled

1/4 cup milk,

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup canned pumpkin pie filling

1/2 cup dulce de leche spread, heated

Preheat a skillet to medium low.  Meanwhile, mix the vanilla, cinnamon, milk and eggs in a shallow bowl.  Dip the bread pieces into the egg-y goodness and then cook in the skillet for about 3-4 minutes per side.  Top with a thick layer of pie filling and a drizzle of sweet, creamy, dulce de leche.  I ate this before I could even bring myself to take a picture.  So.  Good.  Try it.

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Episode 46 - Hungry Camper's Breakfast!

As promised, this is the recipe that uses up the rest of those instant mashed potatoes from the Camp-Style Turkey Dinner!  This isn't an especially pretty meal but it is hearty, warm and delicious!  Actually, I would probably eat this at home too!

2 servings instant mashed potato
4 eggs
4 slices peameal bacon, cooked
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

First, make the potatoes according to the package directions.  Set them aside (in 2 separate bowls) then cook the eggs.  I recommend sunny side up but over easy would work too.  Mostly you just want delicious runny yolk to get all over everything in your finished bowl, so don't over cook the eggs!  Slide the finished eggs over the mashed potatoes in the bowls (2 eggs per bowl).  Finally, slice the peameal up into thin slices, toss it into the pan quickly just to heat it through then divide that up between the bowls too.  Serve!  The best way to eat this is to slice up the eggs and just mix everything together into a crazy, delicious breakfast mash.  Not pretty - but delicious!

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Episode 40 - Probably the best breakfast ever!

Yes, more breakfast.  Apparently I am slightly obsessed with breakfast.  You probably would be too if you had Dawson making you breakfasts like these.  He's pretty great.  I come up with some hare-brained idea and he cooks it up.  Private breakfast chef - check!

  

2 eggs, scrambled

2 tbsp milk

~10 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

pinch of each salt and pepper

1/4 cup grated fresh mozzarella

3-4 slices tomato

Spray a non-stick pan with some cooking spray and pre-heat it to medium-low.  Mix up the eggs, basil and milk in a bowl then pour into your pre-heated pan topping one side with the cheese.  Let the eggs start to cook and solidify into an egg-y pancake (about 4 minutes).  Now, fold the egg pancake in half over the cheese and continue cooking for another minute or so.  Give the whole thing a flip and cook for another minute to make it nice and even.  Stick it on a plate and top with your tomato slices and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.  Awesome!

Side note:  No you cannot have Dawson.  He is mine.  If I ever find a way to clone him I may consider selling his doubles on Ebay in order to pay for more groceries.  Mmm fancy cheeses here I come!

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Episode 33 - His and Hers Egg Scamblers

More breakfast.  Man, I love breakfast... especially his and hers versions!

Kristy's Version - Tomato, Basil and Goat Cheese Scrambler

2 eggs, beaten
2 tbsp milk
8-10 basil leaves, finely chopped
a handful of goat cheese crumbles
1/4 tomato diced
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat a non-stick pan over medium heat.  Mix everything in a bowl.  Pour into the pan and cook while moving the eggs around constantly to break them up.  Take them off the heat as soon as they are cooked and before they get gross and dry - about 5 minutes.

Delicious option - take slices from  a super ripe avocado and spread on toast then top with the egg scrambles.  Mmmmmmm!

Dawson's Version - Lemon, Pepper and Dill Scrambler

2 eggs, beaten
2 tbsp milk
1 palm full of fresh dill, chopped
1.5 tsp lemon juice (ish...Dawson just kinda squeezed the thingie).
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
salt, to taste

Preheat a non-stick pan over medium heat.  Mix everything in a bowl.  Pour into the pan and cook while moving the eggs around constantly to break them up.  Take them off the heat as soon as they are cooked and before they get gross and dry - about 5 minutes.

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Episode 28 - Brilliant but Untested

My mind wanders quite a bit.  9 times out of 10 it wanders to something food related - grocery lists, cookbooks I want to buy etc etc.  Usually these thoughts are pointless and result in nothing but every now and then something GENIUS comes along...something like APPLE CINNAMON MONTE CRISTOS!!  Incredible right?  Right.  Why didn't I come up with this before?  In any case, of course this revelation happened to come to me while I'm stuck in Cornwall in a house with no means for me to cook much of anything.  So, as of now this recipe gets filled under "things I haven't actually tried making yet and might really suck".  I might try it this weekend when I go home and report back with results. Until then this one is a try at your own risk!

For each sandwich:

2 slices cinnamon raisin bread (I'm gonna make some homemade)
1 tbsp butter
a pinch of each cinnamon and brown sugar
1 layer of thinly sliced apple
1 slice of cheddar cheese
1 egg, beaten

First make your butter spread - soften (but don't totally melt) your butter and mash it up with the cinnamon and sugar.  Spread the delicious concoction on 1 side of each piece of bread.  Build the sandwich by layering the apple and the cheese on the bread (the butter-side goes IN).  Next, dip the completed sandwich in the beaten egg as if you were making a french toast sandwich.  Cook in a frying pan over medium low heat until golden brown on both sides and your cheese is melty, gooey, deliciousness!  I dunno how long - like I said, I haven't tried this yet!

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Episode 26- Oh yeah...I have a blog!

aka. The Festive Breakfast Special

So hi...I'm back! School is done and now I can go back to having fun and telling the internet all of my food secrets!  In any case, here is a festive brunch idea!  This smelled so good while it was cooking I had a hard time waiting for it to finish!

Spiced Eggnog French Toast

4 eggs
1/2 cup eggnog
1 tbsp vanilla
6 pieces of bread
sprinkles of nutmeg and cinnamon

Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.  Beat the eggs in a bowl then stir in the vanilla and eggnog until well blended.  Dip the bread in and get it full of egg-y goodness.  Add to the pan and sprinkle with the spices.  Add as much or as little as you want...just be warned - nutmeg is powerful stuff.  Cook for about 3 minutes on each side or just until golden.  Mmmmmmm.  Tastes like Christmas!

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Episode 25 - Dawson makes me breakfast...yet again

Delicious taco hash browns with eggs sunny-side up!  I am spoiled.

1 tbsp oil
1/2 bag pre-shredded potatoes or (if you're very ambitious in the mornings) 2 peeled, grated potatoes
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cumin
1 cup leftover taco meat...you know, from one of those Old El Paso kits or something.
4 eggs, cooked sunny side up

Heat the oil in a pan and add the potatoes in an even layer.  Sprinkle the seasonings over the potatoes as evenly as possible.  Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.  They should get nice and crispy at the edges.  Add the taco meat with about 5 minutes left in the cooking time.  Meanwhile, cook the eggs.  When the hash browns are done, top with the eggs and serve! Yum yum yum!

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Episode 24 - Oatmeal - Fall Style!

I love oatmeal for breakfast when it gets cold outside.  It's so warm and cozy!  I just hate those artificially flavoured microwave envelopes!  That's not fruit in there!  It is a lot of salt and added sugar though!  In any case, here are my two favourite ways to make oatmeal - no envelope required. 

These each make 1 serving.  For both recipes start by making plain oatmeal on the stove top according to the package directions.  Then:

Apple 'n Spice Oatmeal

1 apple (I like Honey Crisp or Pink Lady), cored and diced
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Put everything in a bowl and microwave on high for two minutes to cook the apple.  Mix with the finished oatmeal and voila - oatmeal with actual fruit chunks!

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg and cloves

Mix everything with the completed oatmeal in the pot and cook until heated through.  If you're feeling decadent, sprinkle some graham cracker crumbs on top.  So good.

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Episode 7 - (Mostly) Healthy Applesauce Pancakes

So, this is only my 7th recipe post and it's already my 3rd breakfast recipe...are you getting the impression that I love me some breakfast?  'Cause I do.  It is the most important meal of the day, after all!  In any case, these pancakes are fluffy, flavourful and wonderful in a way those powder from a box pancakes could never be.  Plus, those boxed ones are full of sodium and god knows what else.  Seriously...read the label, it's shocking!  Don't be lazy.  Make these ones instead!

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup canola oil

Preheat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat.
Mix the dry ingredients together in 1 bowl and the wet in another.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir.  I always have to add some water to make the batter get a pourable consistency but the amount varies each time.  Use your judgment and add little bits at a time until you get a nice pourable batter.  This is pancakes...its not an exact science ;)
Ladle some batter into the pan and cook until the edges look set and some bubbles have formed on the top.  Flip over and cook until the second side is golden and delicious looking.  Stick the finished pancakes in a warm oven to keep them warm while you make the rest.

I am weird.  I dislike maple syrup, although I am told that these are excellent topped with it if you like that sort of thing.  I, on the other hand, prefer this:

3 tbsp plain yogurt (one without gelatin)
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix in a little bowl and put a blob of it on each pancake.  Top with some fruit.  Any kind works!

I must admit, after I make the batter, Dawson always has to cook my pancakes for me...and my french toast...and my grilled cheese or anything else requiring slow patient cooking.  He does this for me because he is wonderful.  Every girl should be so lucky ;)

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Episode 5 - French Toast Buffet

aka French Toast 2 Ways

1) Oatmeal Crusted French Toast

1 cup dry oatmeal
1/3 cup brown sugar (or more...or less. It depends how sweet you want it)
1 tsp cinnamon
3 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp vanilla (the real stuff...don't be cheap)
thick sliced bread, about 5 slices (we used homemade honey oat bread but really, if you're feeling lazy use whatever. It'll still be good).
butter or margarine

Beat eggs, milk and vanilla in a big bowl.
Mix oatmeal, sugar and cinnamon in a big plate.
Butter the bread slices on both sides, dip into egg mixture and then into the oat mixture. Make sure it gets a good crusting on both sides.
Cook in a non-stick frying pan on med-low until golden on both sides, 3-4 mins per side. The sugar will make a nice crunchy crust.
Serve plain...or with maple syrup if you're like Dawson and like things reeeeeaaalllly sweet.

2) Peanut Butter Chocolate Stuffed French Toast

3 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp vanilla
4 tbsp peanut butter
2 tbsp dark chocolate chips
butter or magarine
4 slices of bread...fairly thin unles you're really hungry

Butter one side of each piece of bread then spread peanut butter on the opposite side.
Sprinkle 1 tbsp of chocolate chips on the peanut butter side of 2 of the slices. Top with the other slices to make 2 delicious looking chocolate peanut butter sandwich-type things. (peanut butter side in).
Dip each sandwich into the egg mixture then cook in a frying pan over medium-low until golden on the outside and melty and delicious on the inside (about 3-4 minutes per side).
Serve with a light dusting of powdered sugar.

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Episode 3 - Brunch of Deliciosity...and Love

The Bunch of Deliciousity...and Love. aka The Anniversary Brunch

What better way to celebrate two fantastic years with a fantastic man than this incredible brunch.  Screw fancy restaurant dinners with their $40 entrees.  I'll take a celebration in my pjs any day!

Ciabatta Buns with Melted Brie Smoked Salmon and Poached Eggs

2 Ciabatta Buns or plain old english muffins
4 pieces brie
¼ cup Arugula
4 pieces smoked salmon
4 poached eggs
2 tsp capers

Melt brie on the ciabatta buns under the broiler then pile everything else on top! Mmmm!

Mixed Fruit Salad

½ Canteloupe
½ cup Strawberries
2 Kiwis
1 Banana

Chop then mix together in a bowl. Make it look pretty on the plate.

Mimosas

1 part Orange juice
1 part Sparkling Wine

Mix in champagne glasses.

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