Breakfast

I think everyone that knows me knows that I love to eat.

Especially food.

And it starts early.

This morning, I got up about 6 to take my hubby to Woodbadge. I ate an apple* while I got the kids out to school and morning things taken care of. After the house settled down and I realized I now had an entire day ahead of me to do whatever I wanted, I thought about breakfast. Sure I had an apple, but that was technically a snack. I pulled out the bag of Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats-- a definite favorite lately. I made enough for two and put the second serving in the fridge for tomorrow (yes, oatmeal reheats in the microwave great!). That oatmeal is so good. I like it with white sugar, brown sugar and blueberries sprinkled on top. It tastes like blueberry muffins. Yum!

And while we're talking about hot cereal... True Confession: Every time we go to Utah we stop at Lehi Mills and buy a 25 lb. bag of Germade. I even asked M&S to bring us a bag once when they were visiting. I think it fit in their carry-on. :) Yes, I still owe you guys for that one. What did security think???

My all-time favorite breakfast food is pancakes. I love pancakes with homemade maple syrup and lots of butter. I like them with blueberries, I like whole wheat ones,

...and I will eat them on a train and I will eat them in the rain ...

and I recently found IHOP's recipe for their Harvest Grain and Nut Pancakes. I haven't tried it yet but it's full of oats, whole wheat flour, almonds, and walnuts. I also have a recipe for Sweet Potato Pancakes with brown sugar and pecans. It doesn't get any better than that. :)

For Christmas this last year, J&K sent us breakfast in a box. Was that the most perfect gift or what? We must be related!

I also love sweet breads, muffins, waffles, breakfast cake, danishes, actually any kind of pastry. I love crepes, doughnuts, kolaches, breakfast casserole, omelets, english muffins, french puffs, german pancakes, pannekoeken, and the list goes on....

I've decided that eggs aren't my favorite unless they're with something. If I eat a poached egg it has to be on top of an english muffin with grated cheese on top. Hollandaise sauce anyone? If we're going to scramble them we've got to put stuff in them. I like mushrooms and onions and/or zucchini and potatoes with a sprinkle of tomatoes and cheese on top. Like a scrambled omelet. And speaking of omelets--Chris makes the best omelets in the world--and the best sticky potatoes. He is a genius with breakfast. No wonder we love each other so much.

For sticky potatoes: grate a couple of potatoes but don't rinse them. Melt a little butter on a griddle or in a non-stick fry pan and add the potatoes. When they've gotten crispy on the bottom, flip them over. You might have to cut them with the side of your spatula so you can flip them over. Brown on the second side. Season with salt, pepper, season-all or whatever you like. Eat them with ketchup or homemade chili sauce.

Of course, our breakfast is usually cold cereal or instant oatmeal, or cinnamon toast. Since everyone leaves at different times we don't get to eat together every morning. Maybe the reason why I like a good breakfast so much is because we actually don't get it very often.

*A note about having an apple in the morning--One apple is supposed to give you just as much energy as a cup of coffee. Interesting, huh?