Breakfast Carbonara

I may have mentioned that this past week my husband and I were on Spring Break [let's take a moment a remember...ahh]. With both of us being teachers, we happily got to enjoy this time off together. Originally we had planned to go away, but with gas prices soaring and serious-relaxation needed...we decided to make it a stay-cation instead. Truth be told- it was the best stay-cation I've ever had!! We slept in late [which for me is 8:30--watch out!], went to the movies, stayed in our pj's until noon, went on day trips, and seriously just enjoyed not having an agenda what-so-ever.

Our non-agenda having schedule led to late breakfasty-brunchy meals like this one! My good ole' use whatcha got mentality gave birth to this little bowl of heaven. Have it for a breakfasty-brunchy meal of your own--or have breakfast for dinner [one of my faves!].

Breakfast Carbonara served over Butter Grits
serves 2

• 2 eggs
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 2 cups jarred marinara
• salt + pepper to taste
• 1-2 tsp of lemon juice
• 2 packets of instant butter grits [Quaker Instant Butter Grits]
• 1 cup pepperoni, sliced 
• 1-2 tbsp EVOO

1. saute spinach in EVOO over med-high heat until wilted. sprinkle with lemon juice and salt + pepper.
2. add marinara and pepperoni and stir well to combine. then create 2 holes in the middle of the marinara mixture. in those holes crack the eggs. cover and cook eggs to desired hardness.
3. meanwhile- cook instant grits in microwave according to package instructions. 
4. serve by layering grits in shallow bowl and topping with marinara + egg mixture. 

this dish is an unlikely combination, but trust me when I say it works.

spicy, savory, and buttery goodness! as my husband said, "this one stays in the rotation!"

p.s. shout out to Michelle for naming this dish! thanks Meeshy! ;)

Happy Easter!

off to church in our Easter best!

I so hoppy :)

pretty eggs that turned into...

cute little peeps! 

wishing you a bright and colorful day spent with the ones you hold dearest!

Old Bay Frittata

Old Bay? good! Pancetta? good! Tomatoes? good! Potatoes? good! Eggs? goooood! unless you are a Friends fanatic like we are, you might not get this goood reference. We can thank Joey Tribbiani for this one.

this little ditty came together as I went, but turned out delish! 

Old-Bay Frittata 

• 6 eggs, whipped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 2 cups shredded potatoes
• 1 cup mozzarella shredded cheese
• 3 [or more] tbsp of Old Bay Seasoning 
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup pancetta, cubed  
• s+p to taste
• 3 tbsp EVOO

1. heat EVOO over med-high heat in large pan.
2. add potatoes, and stir until they begin to brown.
3. then add onions, tomatoes + pancetta. season with Old Bay. 
4. once onions are soft and potatoes are sizzling + brown, pour egg mixture over potato.
5. slightly tilt pan to make sure all of the potato mixture gets covered by eggs.
6. sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top + cover. 
7. reduce heat to medium-low.
8. keep covered for about 10-15 minutes, or until eggs are cooked through. 

[instead of covering, you could throw the whole pan in the oven under the broiler for a quicker option. as I said, I kind of created this as I went and did not use a pan that I could throw in the oven. hence, step 7-8!] 

this is a true Marylander's breakfast-- but even my North Carolinian husband gave it two thumbs up. which in our world means a high-five + a pat on the tush. [too much??]  

in other news...

 I had my first trip to The Container Store today. Spring cleaning took on a whole new meaning.

Read more »

Vegetable Fried Rice

sometimes [not often] I have happy accidents in the kitchen. yesterday I was trying to come up with something [without going to the store] to have on hand for my husband and I to have for lunches. I had veggie burgers, a couple of ready rice options, frozen broccoli, and eggs. with some quick thinking and my "go-to" ingredients, I came up with a delicious and fast fried rice recipe.

and it goes a little something like this...

Vegetable Fried Rice 

• 2 veggie burgers
• 3 cups frozen broccoli
• 1 package Uncle Ben's Ready Rice -- Teriyaki Style , cooked 
• 2 eggs
• 4 tbsp EVOO, separated
• 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce 
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce, separated
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed in 1/2 cup [cool] water

1. heat 2 tbsp EVOO, chili garlic sauce, honey, and ginger over med-heat in a large pan.
2. blend mixture with whisk. 
3. when it begins to bubble--add cornstarch liquid and whisk together until well blended. 
4. then add broccoli and toss in sauce. 
5. reduce heat and cover. let cook [stirring occasionally] for 8-10 minutes, or until broccoli is no longer frozen and cooked through. 
6. empty cooked broccoli mixture into a separate bowl.
7. return pan to high heat.
8. add remaining EVOO and veggie burgers to pan.
9. sprinkle 1 tbsp of soy sauce over veggie burgers.
10. break apart veggie burgers into small chunks as you cook them. 
11. when veggie burgers are browned, add rice to pan. 
12. saute until rice begins to brown and crisp a bit.
13. push rice + veggie burger mixture to one side of the pan, and scramble eggs in free pan space. 
14. once eggs are scrambled, fold into rice mixture.
15. add broccoli mixture to rice mixture and saute together. 
16. remove from heat and serve it up! 

thinking of switching up your daily lunch routine? 

check out these great sandwich solutions I spotted on Pinterest! 

xoxo 

breakfast of champions

morning! saturday mornings' mean breakfast in our pjs, no alarm clock, catching up over coffee, and staying in our pjs until it may no longer be "morning." saturday mornings also mean I have time to make things like this...

Poached Eggs with Soy Sausage and Butter Grits 
240 calories. seriously!

• eggs
• soy sausage [Morningstar is the best!]
• instant butter grits
• green onions
• salt + pepper 

1. cook grits + sausage according to directions. 
2. poach eggs [[add 2 tsbp of vinegar to gently boiling water]] 
3. layer a bowl with grits, sausage, and eggs.
4. sprinkle with green onions and s+p to taste. 

enjoy! 

not sure how to poach eggs? check out this how-to. trust me--it takes practice. don't be hard on yourself if they aren't perfect the 1st time 'round. ;)