One of my favorite parts about the weekend, (and life) is getting to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Which is why I have decided to do a series dedicated to exploring all things related to morning meals.
Sometimes I visit my favorite brunch spots like Gjelinas for their Neiman ranch BLT with a sunny egg, or the Beverly Hills Hotel Fountain Coffee Room for silver dollar buttermilk pancakes with a vanilla milkshake. Decadent? Yes. Costly? Hell yes! Which is why I often prefer to spend my weekend mornings preparing a deliciously simple and cost effective brunch at home.
Sometimes I visit my favorite brunch spots like Gjelinas for their Neiman ranch BLT with a sunny egg, or the Beverly Hills Hotel Fountain Coffee Room for silver dollar buttermilk pancakes with a vanilla milkshake. Decadent? Yes. Costly? Hell yes! Which is why I often prefer to spend my weekend mornings preparing a deliciously simple and cost effective brunch at home.
The Usual Suspects
Eggs
Avocado
Tomatoes
Arugula
Pesto
Spinach
Zucchini
Thyme
Zucchini
Thyme
Tomato Sauce
Chicken apple sausage
Tofu sausage
Herbed goat cheese
Whole wheat english muffins
Whole wheat toast
Fresh Fruit (whatever is in season)
Swedish Pancake Mix
Butter
Milk
Fresh Maple Syrup
Fresh Orange Juice
Champagne
Of all the items listed, (Swedish Pancake mix being one of my favorites and a future Brunch series topic) the most common dish I tend to make involves eggs. As I don't have a super sweet tooth, I prefer flavorful and creative egg dishes with gourmet additions.
My favorite egg dish is inspired by Huckleberry's Green eggs and ham - Poached eggs, prosciutto, pesto & arugula on an english muffin. I don't eat much pork*, so I substitute the prosciutto with avocado and add sliced cherry tomatoes. In my opinion there is no better tasting egg dish than when it is topped with homemade pesto, arugula, avocado and fresh cut tomatoes on a crispy english muffin. Unless it had bacon! My only weakness. (*Ignore statement and see An Ode To Bacon).
Depending on what is in my fridge, I use this basic recipe to play around with other combinations. Also keeping in mind that eggs are one of the most versatile ingredients to work with I know that I can be creative as I dare. This past Sunday, having only wilted arugula and some heirloom cherry tomatoes, I decided on a resourceful start to my day. Thus arugula pesto was created and drizzled over a fried egg with sliced tomatoes. Simple and succulent!
Other mornings have seen eggs topped with sauteed onions, bell peppers, and tomato sauce. Or a scramble of zucchini, mushrooms, goat cheese, chicken sausage, and fresh thyme. Why not make your own breakfast sandwich with sliced cheese, avocado and tomato? I did! The possibilities are endless and the outcome always the same. Eggscellent ;)
Depending on what is in my fridge, I use this basic recipe to play around with other combinations. Also keeping in mind that eggs are one of the most versatile ingredients to work with I know that I can be creative as I dare. This past Sunday, having only wilted arugula and some heirloom cherry tomatoes, I decided on a resourceful start to my day. Thus arugula pesto was created and drizzled over a fried egg with sliced tomatoes. Simple and succulent!
Other mornings have seen eggs topped with sauteed onions, bell peppers, and tomato sauce. Or a scramble of zucchini, mushrooms, goat cheese, chicken sausage, and fresh thyme. Why not make your own breakfast sandwich with sliced cheese, avocado and tomato? I did! The possibilities are endless and the outcome always the same. Eggscellent ;)
This looks amazing!!
ReplyDeleteSo funny you mentioned Gjelina. I was just there yesterday! And I did stare at the BLT but never tried it. Got the smoked trout with poached eggs instead - excellent.
But I agree, and my favorite brunches are often the ones like yours where you know it's fresh, delicious, and pretty!
Mmmm....buttermilk pancakes and a vanilla milkshake sounds heavenly right now.
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica - I honestly think it is impossible to go wrong at Gjelina's. Smoked trout and poached eggs sounds heavenly! Also thank you for reminding me about one of the most important parts of a recipe. Making it look cute! I think we are definitely on the same level ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Yummy, tell me about it. I'm at the office trying to enjoy a salad and it just isn't cutting it ;)
First of all, I second what Jessica said in that despite the fact I am never the first to give you compliments, that egg dish looks delicious and has me thinking about my future breakfast dishes for the rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteSecond, can I hire you to cook me breakfast every morning so that my thoughts and aspirations of a healthy, yet delicious, breakfast every morning come true? Hold the organics.