A Simple Breakfast

Breakfast food is really one of my favorite this to work with! It's not just for morning hours anymore! I do like when I have the time though, to make a good breakfast to start the day! My cousin in Ireland, makes a feast every Sunday and his whole family gathers for the morning of feasting, lounging, reading the paper (or a book), discussions and of course a cat-nap! We (here in America) tend to do more dinner or lunch type gatherings with families, leaving brunch type meals for more of a Sunday outing. I think I see a gathering in the near future for a few of my friends! (you can even come in your jammies!!)

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Must be the Irish (well German too) but I just love potatoes! So many things can be made with them and one of my favorite is home fries! What made this even better was I went out to patio this morning and clipped the herbs fresh!! (I bought herb plants back in May at the market and they are thriving nicely!)

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Home Fries

10-15 Guardi's potatoes, depending on size and how many you are feeding
fresh basil, thyme and rosemary (one or two sprigs of each), finely chopped
oil and butter, about 3 tbsp each
s/p
Parmesan cheese


Rinse and dry the potatoes. In a large skillet (I love my cast iron for this job) heat oil and butter over medium heat.

Dice the potatoes into small cubes, 3/4" or so. Add in to skillet, stir to coat the potatoes in the butter, season with s/p, spread them out evenly. Let them cook, stirring to brown evenly for about 20-30 minutes. Add the fresh herbs and cheese, stir to coat, remove from heat. Tent with foil until eggs are cooked.

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There is something to be said about farm fresh eggs!! Look at the brilliant golden orange color!! Now that is how an egg should look!! For years I didn't eat eggs, they just never agreed with me, but I tried farm fresh eggs and am happy to report I can now enjoy eggs!!

This morning I made two types: Poached on Jcookie Walnut Raisin Bread and Chicks in a Basket in my homemade sourdough cracked wheat.


For the chicks in a basket and poached on Walnut Raisin

1 slice of bread and 1 egg per person (or 2 person depending how hungry they are!)
Butter
s/p

Chicks in basket:

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Butter one side of the bread, then using a cookie cutter, cut a hole just inside the edge of bread. Remove the circle and set aside.

In a large skillet melt about 2 tsp butter. Add the bread and circles in un-buttered side down. Toast lightly. Flip to other side. Crack an egg into each hole. Season with s/p. (don't worry if the egg white comes out a little underneath). Continue to cook until the white of egg is just about done. Flip and cook the other side for 30 seconds. Remove to a plate, flipping back over, and serve with home fries and circles.

Poached egg on Walnut Raisin:

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Toast and butter the bread.

Bring a pan of about 3" of water to a simmer over medium heat. Add in 1 tsp white vinegar. Crack the egg into a small dish first. Then gently, being close to the water, slide the egg into the simmering water. Using a wooden spoon, gently stir the water just around the egg to help the white stay together. Simmer for about 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 minutes. Remove gently with a slotted spoon, pat gently on a towel to remove excess water.  Place on top of toast, serve with home fries (I put some hot salsa on my potatoes, as you can tell in the picture)