Spinach Breakfast Casserole

Spinach Breakfast Casserole

7 cups (firmly packed) fresh baby spinach
olive oil
3-4 green onions, diced, include the greens
1 1/2 - 2 cups mozzarella cheese
8 eggs beaten (or equivalent Eggbeaters)
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
Bacon bits, optional

Preheat oven to 375.
Saute spinach in a large skillet with a small amount of olive oil, just until it is wilted.  Do not overcook.

 Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with olive oil. Arrange the spinach in the dish.

Top with green onions and cheese.  Mix the nutmeg, salt and pepper with the eggs.  (Since I was using the whole carton of EggBeaters, I added the spices to the carton and shook vigorously - it works :-)
Pour eggs over the layers in the baking dish.  Using a knife or fork. lightly stir the mixture to get the egg spread throughout.
Bake about 35 minutes or until center is set.

This was good - and even better the next day as the spinach flavor got a little stronger.

Make-Do Eggs Benedict

This is NOT Eggs Benedict - just fashioned after that. This is my quick and easy attempt at something different for breakfast.  It was good and under 300 calories so probably much healthier than Eggs Benedict too :-)  It could be fewer calories if I used the reduced fat hamburger bun and cheese but I used what I had.

Hamburger bun - 1/2 per serving
Honey Ham - 1 or 2 slices
Egg - 1 per serving
Provolone cheese - 1 slice per serving

Toast the hamburger buns under the broiler until golden brown.  I like to toast the outside of the bun, then turn it over and toast the cut side.  Love the crunch!
Poach egg by heating water to a slow boil - just litte bubbles, not a rolling boil.  Break egg into a small bowl and gently pour the egg into the water. Cook for 3 minutes. 
Meanwhile, place the ham slices on the toasted bun and place back under the broiler to warm the ham.
When egg is cooked, remove from water with a slotted spoon - be sure to drain well.  I tap the bottom of the spoon on a paper towel to absorb the water.  Place the egg on the ham slice and top with the slice of provolone.
Place under the broiler again until the cheese is bubbly and browned. 

Basic veggie omelet

2 large eggs
1 tbsp water
2 tbsp diced green pepper
2 green onions (divided)
3 grape tomatoes
Cooking spray

Break eggs into a bowl and whisk until smooth. Add the water, mix and set aside.
Spray sauté pan lightly with the cooking spray. Sauté the green pepper and about 3/4 of the green onion until slightly cooked. Remove to a plate and set aside
Spray pan lightly with cooking spray again. Stir eggs and pour into pan. Rotate pan a little to coat entire bottom with egg. Allow to cook until almost set. Scatter sautéed onions and peppers on egg. Allow to cook until completely set and top surface appears dry.
Loosen from pan and slide onto serving plate folding it over on top if itself. Sprinkle with reserved green onion and diced tomatoes.


Optional add-ons
1/2 cup fresh spinach, sauté with the onions and peppers
2 tbsp shredded cheese, sprinkle on eggs with the sautéed veggies
2 tbsp diced ham or bacon bits can be sautéed with the veggies or added cold
1/2 cup fresh mushrooms sautéed with the veggies
1/4 cup diced ripe olives sautéed with the veggies

Can also serve with a dollop of sour cream and /or salsa

Dressed Up Poached Egg and Broiled Grapefruit

Poached egg, toast and broiled grapefuit

Dressed Up Poached Egg
1 slice wheat toast
1 Tbsp shredded cheese (I used mozzarella)
1 egg
1green onion, diced, include the greens
vinegar
salt
pepper

Put 1 - 1 1/2 inch water in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Turn down to where there are still small bubbles forming but not rolling. Add 1 tsp vinegar and 2 tsp salt.
Break egg into a small bowl (I use a custard cup).  Holding the bowl just above the water, gently pour egg into the pan.
Let cook about 3 minutes.  If the top of the egg is not totally submerged you can gently spoon the hot water over it.

Meanwhile, place toast on an oven proof plate or a baking sheet.  Sprinkle with the cheese.  Place under broiler until cheese is melted - only takes a minute or so - watch it carefully or it will burn.

Use a slotted spoon to lift the egg out of the water and touch the bottom of the spoon to a paper towel to absorb any excess water (you don't want water logged toast).   I even took the edge of the paper towel and gently touched it to the top of the egg since there was water caught in the folds of the egg. 

Place the egg on the toast and top with the onion.  Salt and pepper to taste. 

I like to cut mine up and stir it all together so the yellow of the egg soaks into the toast - yum!


Broiled Grapefruit
1/2 grapefruit
1 tsp (unpacked) brown sugar, optional

Using a sharp knife cut around the membranes between the sections of the grapefruit. 
Sprinkle the brown sugar on top.
Place under broiler for a minute or two until warm and bubbly.

I have made this with or without the brown sugar and both were delicious.  Just depends on whether you want the added calories.

Egg in Toast

I'm sure there are some fancier names for this breakfast standby - like maybe Bird in a Nest - but I am just calling it Egg in Toast - because that is what it is.
I never cooked this for my kids when they were little although I know it is a favorite of many moms. One of the babysitters would cook if occasionally for them. I thought I would give it a try this morning.



Egg in Toast:
Slice of bread
Egg
Butter or Margarine
Salt and pepper to taste

I had a loaf of fresh bread from the bakery - one of those football shapes French loaves that are so good! I cut a slice about 1 inch thick and then used a juice glass to cut a circle out in the center of the slice.
Butter the bread on both sides and lay in a hot skillet. Place a pat of butter in the hole.
When the butter is melted, break the egg into a small bowl - gently pour into the hole in the bread.
Allow to cook until the bread is golden brown and the egg is set on the bottom.
Flip gently and brown on the other side.
Serve immediately - salt and pepper to taste.

I had some sausage links left over from our pancake dinner a couple nights ago and some fresh cantaloupe - yummy breakfast!