Already Thinking About Leftovers!

I know that Thanksgiving hasn't even happened yet, but I'm already starting to think about the yummy ways we can eat our leftover turkey. I love the ideas on this website. Hopefully I'll be able to enjoy some of them!

Totally trying this

Spinoccoli Pizza, thanks to Annies eats. Yum!

Meals, Schmeals...

I'm so not into making a meal plan lately. I'm tired and there's just too much going on in life to care about cooking anymore. With picky eaters and a husband who rarely eats dinner at home, how could you blame me?

So here is my really lame and really late meal plan for the next few days. Thank goodness Thanksgiving is coming up. It means I don't have to worry about a meal plan for awhile!

Friday: Von's $5 meal- garlic herb shrimp with rice
Saturday: tortilla soup/chili with cornbread
Sunday: salmon cakes and rice pilaf
Monday: spaghetti and garlic bread
Tuesday: omelettes
Wednesday/Thursday/Friday:Thanksgiving fun!

Fun Shaped Eggs and '1 pot" Mess

Yasmeen has been a HUGE fan of a bacon and egg breakfast lately. I make the bacon on the griddle and wanted to make my egg on there too so I have a fast and easy clean up (mornings aren't my thing: the simpler the better!).

The following idea is likely not new news to any experienced mom, but it was a novel idea to me :) I decided to both spice up the interest of breakfast and save myself cleaning a cast iron by placing one of my handy dandy metal cookie cutters onto the griddle, breaking the egg first into a small container, and then pouring the egg into the cookie cutter mold. It works like a charm and makes some cute eggs! So far I've made a bunny (big hit) a chic (liked) and a butterfly (which would have been a big hit, but Yasmeen has been doing a lot of puzzles lately and the butterfly is on the insect board, which she has decided are "icky" so when I placed the egg butterfly on her plate this morning she said "no, bug!").

Anyway, thought I'd pass along the tip in case you haven't tried it. Tip: it does work best if you first make the bacon then turn down the heat on the griddle a little so a film doesn't develop on the exterior of the egg while it cooks.

California Eggs Florentine

Tonight we had Brinner-Eggs Florentine style. So good. So fast (literally, 20 min or under). So easy. And cheap--at least for us, as we seem to always have bacon, eggs, and English muffins on hand. In fact, we usually also have avocado and tomato around the house, so not too many ingredients need to be picked up at the store.

California Eggs Florentine

English Muffin (one per person)
Eggs (two per person)
Spinach-Fresh baby spinach best
Bacon (two slices per person)
Tomatoes (I used 1 small Roma per person)
Avocado (1 should be enough for 4 people)
1 clove garlic
1tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp vinegar
packet Hollindaise mix
1 c milk
1/4 c butter
salt/pepper to taste
Tabasco to taste


Step 1: In a large skillet fill 2/3 way with water. Bring to a boil. Add 1 tbsp vinegar. reduce to a simmer. Crack eggs first into a small cup or container. Gently place in water. Cook about 3 minutes or until desired doneness.

Step 2: Place your bacon on a griddle and cook. (As many pieces as needed/desired per person. I use one slice per side of toast, split in half.)

Step 3: saute spinach with garlic and olive oil (you'll be able to do this while waiting for the egg water to boil)
Spinach-I used about 4 cups for two servings
1 clove, garlic
1 tbsp olive oil

Heat Olive oil in a small sauce pan. Add minced garlic and saute until the smells release then add in spinach. Saute until the color looks right for your preference. Set aside.

Step 4: While your spinach sautes and your bacon cooks start your Hollindaise sauce. I cheat and use a prepackaged mix. All it takes is 1 cup milk, the packet, and 1/4 cup butter. Whisk, bring to boil ,then simmer for one minute while it thickens. Make this last bc it is best fresh. (After you get this going it will probably be time to place your eggs in the water.)

Step 5: Slice tomatoes (I use Roma) and Avocado and toast the English muffins. As many as you need for the number of people you are serving. I used two slices of each per side of English muffin.

Step 6: Begin assembling the Eggs Florentine.Place English muffins on plates. Top each side with tomato, avocado, spinach, bacon, egg, and Hollindaise sauce.

I top it all off with a splash of Tabasco and a dash of salt and pepper.

And voila: pure yumminess that is sinfully good...even the baby ate one whole side!