Hot Dish Review

I was amazed to discover Jimmy Dean makes a variety of healthy breakfast sandwiches. Always seeking convenient options for those early mornings when I’d rather sleep than scramble eggs, it’s great to grab a sandwich from the freezer and pop it in the microwave. A good alternative for my man too, when he’s not in the mood for Cheerios.

Easy, yes. But usually not so healthy. Jimmy Dean’s sandwiches, called D-Lights (seriously) are light in calories, ranging from 230 for the Canadian bacon, egg white, and cheese on a whole wheat English muffin to 290 for the turkey sausage, egg white, and cheese on a croissant. They are low-fat, high fiber, with a good carb/protein ratio, and also contain relatively few naughty ingredients like MSG and preservatives.

I’ve tried them all and my favorite is the sausage, egg white, and cheese on a whole wheat English muffin, which I had for breakfast this morning. Trick is to nuke it on defrost per the directions, then separate the components of the sandwich, toasting the muffin separately while heating the fillings in the microwave (see nifty photo). Then just put it together!

Not gourmet…..kinda like McDonald’s McMuffins, just healthier and you can make ‘em in your PJ’s. Try them and let me know what you think!

While writing about Jonathan St. Hilaire’s newest venture, Bakeshop, I was drooling over the menu. One of the breakfast dishes is Eggs Al Forno. Although there was a description, I was unfamiliar with it so I googled it. Turns out it is an egg (or two) baked in an individual casserole dish on top of bread and cheese….how could it go wrong?

With so much bread leftover from my weekend visit to Bakeshop, the ciabatta was begging to be used for a savory breakfast. I found a recipe online, made a few minor revisions based upon what was in the fridge, and voila! Eggs al Forno. It was scrumptious and simple, here’s how:

EGGS AL FORNO

2 eggs (1 omega 3, 1 regular)
1 thick slice ciabatta (or other bread)
1 oz. gruyere, sliced and diced
1/4 C. grated parmesan
1 scallion, chopped, to taste
olive oil
ground pepper and salt

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Lightly oil individual casserole dish with spray. Place bread at the bottom and drizzle with a little olive oil. Scatter the gruyere, most of the parmesan, and the scallions on top of the bread. break the eggs in a bowl. I used the whole Omega 3 egg and just the white from the “regular” one, but you can use two whole eggs if you prefer. Pour the eggs onto the bread and cheese and top with the remaining parmesan, freshly ground pepper and a dash of salt. Bake at 500 degrees for 8 minutes.

Be careful, it will come out sizzling! The yolk will be soft but set. Serve with bacon, berries, and coffee. Enjoy!

 
My days always start with a healthy breakfast.  Egg whites, turkey sausage, maybe wheat toast if I’m doing grains/carbs, and always a cup of berries.  My cat, The Bunny, has recently developed a rather intrusive habit of laying on the table while I am eating breakfast.  In fact, while I am scrambling my eggs she is positioning herself directly on top of my notebook of lists for the day….food lists, chores, goals.  Without it I am lost.  I swear I’d forget to shower if it wasn’t on my list, but that’s a story for another day.

Today I woke up (a good start already), sliced my strawberries, washed some blueberries and put them in their little white bowl on the table.  As I whisked my eggs some commotion was taking place on the table….The Bunny attempting to bury the berries.  I can’t figure out why exactly, as if it’s not bad enough that she has to lay her hairy body on the table, she must also sniff my food and coffee and try to cover them up like piles of shit. 

By the time I sit down with my eggs and sausage, she is happily asleep on my notebook.  I reach for the berries and….huh?  There are only a few pieces in the bowl.  Momentarily perplexed, I’m rather certain The Bunny did not eat them.  I find them, however, strewn about the table.  Under her tail.  Covered with hair.  Best part?  I picked the hairs off and ate the berries anyway!