Breakfast For One

Good morning!  I have been wanting to share my tips and tricks for Breakfast For One for a while.  I truly wanted someone else to take the pictures, mainly because I'm kind of busy during this process.  But alas, today is the day and it's up to me.  So here goes.

This Breakfast For One, as I call it, isn't because I'm single, because I'm not, but only because I cook breakfast for Shaun on the daily and I eat something else.  He needs a more "stick to your ribs" kind of start to his day.  So, I am sharing one of many breakfasts that I cook for him.  

This is for scrambled eggs, toast, and sausage gravy which today also features onions and mushrooms.

First... a tip.  It makes more sense to me to cook the eggs first.  Mainly because your pan is pretty full after the gravy.  So, I first get a bowl, pour some water in it and heat it on two minutes in the microwave.  When my eggs are cooked I pour the water out and put the eggs to rest in their warm bowl inside the microwave while I cook the sausage and gravy.

  Well thank goodness my microwave is semi clean.

Next I go ahead and chop up my onion and mushrooms while my pan is heating with a little butter in the bottom.  Even though I use a copper skillet I have little faith in "nothing" sticking, especially when I cook eggs.

And on to my next tip... I use a rubber spatula for this whole process.  It is so much easier to scrape around the sides of the pan.  And since I'm not flipping anything over it just makes more sense.

I always whisk my eggs with a little water in a measuring cup or bowl and pour them in when the pan it decently heated.  The spatula also helps to scrape around the sides of the eggs.  To scramble well I gently pull from the center while also working around the edges and turn over when necessary.  It truly only takes a couple of minutes to cook eggs.

 Look Ma!  I love my birthday mug from Cracker Barrel!!

When they're done, pour your water in the sink and place them in the bowl in the micro until you're ready to serve.

Now... on to the good stuff... gravy for one.

I precooked my mushrooms and onions in butter for just a minute then added my sausage.  I find it easier to twist the bottom of the tube of sausage and pinch off how much I need.  Let it cook until lightly browned.

You can see it really doesn't make a whole lot of grease if you use a decent quality sausage.

Here's what I use for my gravy, plus milk.

Toss in a tablespoon or a little more of flour right onto your sausage.

I like to throw in a pinch of chicken bullion and black pepper.  Toss it around with your spatula until you can't really see the flour anymore.

Then add your milk.

If I had to guess how much it's probably about a cup of milk.  Let it come to a boil.

Scrape around the sides.  I tried to get a picture of this next step.  Did not work.  When my gravy has begun to change colors to more of a tan than white and feels like it is thickening I like to take my spatula and drag it from the side inward.  When the gravy comes together slow then it's done.

Put your piece of toast on your plate next to your warm eggs and pour the sausage and gravy over the toast.  And WaaLaa!  Breakfast for one!

Kiss Kiss Hugs Hugs Have a good day!!

450 Dish Delish

I play Bunko once a month.  What is Bunko you say?  FUN!  It is a dice game, where fellowship and eating is a must.  At the last Bunko gathering, my friend Linda shared a recipe with us.  Well... some of us that were listening.  I HAD to try it and am so glad that I did.

Here was my version of the dish.  You can use practically any vegetable and any meat that you want.  You simply heat the oven to 450 degrees.  Once it has preheated nicely, place your casserole dish in the oven to heat for 15 minutes.  While the dish is heating you prepare your vegetables and meat.

I tossed chopped broccoli, cauliflower and onion wedges in olive oil (which is a must) and spices.  I used Butt Rub, sea salt and pepper.  Next prepare the meat in the same way.  She said you don't actually have to oil up the meat but I did a little anyway.  I mixed a little olive oil with a little melted butter and lemon juice and added spices to it too. 

Once the dish is heated, remove it from the stove carefully because it is HOT.  Throw in the veggies and scoot them to the sides.  Then place the fish or meat right in the center.  The veggies will sizzle the second they hit the hot dish.  Place the meal back into the oven for fifteen minutes. 

I prepared rice to go on the side but really.. this is a one dish meal!  And terrific to boot!  Since then I have made it with deer tenderloin, green beans and potatoes.  The potatoes and deer meat did take longer than fifteen minutes as I imagine a thicker cut of most meats may.  Just watch it closely when the end of the timer is near.  Enjoy!

Toss with spices and olive oil. 

I promise this entire meal cost under four dollars. 

Mainly because I swiped the rest of the raw veggies from the veggie tray at Easter lunch.

 Roll that beautiful Butt Rub footage. 

 Sizzle Sizzle, Dot Dot

 Oh Yeah

 Tell me 'bout it... stud.

So good.  I am here to tell you.

By the way... here's a tip.  You know those wood bees that look like bumble bees but can't sting you?  Well, if you squirt WD-40 in the hole they are drilling into the side of your house, or your walking stick, or door frame,  or wooden bench on the front porch, it'll kill them.  I am currently listening to one buzz for his life in the door frame behind me.  I feel real bad.. seriously.  If I don't kill him he's going to drill right through.  I've been listening too him scratch away at the door frame for too long.  Silly bee.  I can't listen any longer.  I mean really... pick a tree for crying out loud!  Not my house! 

And that's the truth PPPPPPPHHHHHHHHHHHHLLLLLLLLLLLLL

He stopped buzzing.  I think I'll go reclaim my walking stick now.