breakfast

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter M

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Something to Savor: Macadamia Nut Pineapple French Toast! Forget the maple syrup. Indulge instead in a tropical fruit explosion of flavor. Some compare this breakfast specialty to caramelized pineapple bliss. I suppose the taste could remind you of a tropical Pina Colada cocktail. It’s that good. For your next “Staycation”, why not treat yourself to paradise on a plate. 
MACADAMIA NUT PINEAPPLE FRENCH TOAST
Ingredients for Sauce:

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup cream

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon coconut syrup

1 teaspoon almond extract

8-ounce can pineapple chunks, drained

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 

1 smidgen nutmeg

2 tablespoons shredded coconut 
Instructions:

Melt butter in small saucepan over low heat. Do not scorch. Add brown sugar. Stir. Gradually bring to a boil. Add cream, stirring constantly. Cook until thick, about 4 minutes. Turn heat to lowest setting. Add maple syrup, coconut syrup, and almond extract. Stir until smooth. Add pineapple chunks, cinnamon, nutmeg, and shredded coconut. Cook until tender. 
Ingredients for French Toast:

4 slices Hawaiian sweet bread, sliced thick

3 whole eggs, beaten

1/2 cup light cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-3 tablespoons butter

Macadamia nuts, chopped

Fresh strawberries 
Instructions:

Whisk together eggs, light cream, and vanilla extract. In a shallow dish, place 4 slices of Hawaiian bread, single layer. Pour custard egg mixture over bread; turn to coat both sides completely. Let moistened bread rest to soak up liquid. In an iron skillet, melt one tablespoon of butter on medium-low heat. Transfer the soaked bread to the skillet. Cook until golden brown, approximately 3 minutes per side. Add butter as needed. If cooking in batches, transfer browned French toast to a wire rack on a baking sheet and kept warm in a 200° oven. To serve, place one piece of French toast on a plate. Cover with pineapple sauce. Top with second slice of French toast. Add more pineapple sauce. Garnish with sliced strawberries and macadamia nut pieces. Dust with powdered sugar. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter D

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Something to Savor: Dirty Breakfast Rice! What do you get when you blend Hawaiian culture with Louisiana spice? You get a savory breakfast that will rev your engine all day long. Too often we think a cold breakfast will give us the energy needed until time allows for the next meal. Sometimes that isn’t until after the workday is almost finished. At least with Dirty Breakfast Rice you get a running start on a busy schedule. Its healthy carb is easily digestible and nutty taste is simply satisfying. Be good to yourself.
DIRTY BREAKFAST RICE
Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

1 cup instant brown rice

7-ounce vegetable broth

1/2 pound smoked sausage link, cut-up in chunks

4 green onions, chopped

2 eggs, scrambled

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1/4 cup soybean sauce
Instructions:

Melt butter in a deep skillet. Do not burn. Add brown rice. Coat well. Cook over medium heat 3-5 minutes, turning often until golden brown. Stir in vegetable broth and smoked sausage chunks. Cover. Simmer 15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. Scramble the eggs on the side of the pan. Once the eggs are almost cooked, combine the rice and eggs together. Add chopped green onion with tops, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, Cajun seasoning, and soybean sauce. Mix well and serve immediately.

Dining Outside the Home: Kalaheo Cafe & Coffee Company in Kalaheo, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Kalaheo Cafe & Coffee Company in Kalaheo, Kauai!  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, according to the generous portions served up at the Kalaheo Café. Stick to the favorites: a Very Veggie Omelette with melted cheese or add some Portuguese sausage for the Kahili Breakfast. Choose between a side of rice or potatoes, your way. And don’t forget the buttered toast or incredibly delicious cornbread muffins. Top it off with flavored coffee to rev up your engine. Now you’re beginning to see what I mean. Dine inside or on the front porch with a view of the mountains. Take a deep breath and dig in. 

Dining Outside the Home: Sam’s Ocean View Restaurant in Kapaa, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Sam’s Ocean View Restaurant in Kapaa, Kauai!  Fling open the doors for an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean as far as the eye can see. Look closely. You may see the water spouts of a humpback whale or two on the horizon. Feel the cool breezes as you bask in the glorious sunshine. Glance around the room. Pay attention to the hanging art inside, which captures a peaceful easy feeling. Now order a meal with a beverage to match. Sam’s Ocean View fits the bill for coastal-living. Today’s special: Seared Ahi Eggs Benedict with a hollandaise sauce; a perfect blend of rich, creamy butter and lemon citrus. Mahalo. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter Q

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Quiche Lorraine! Pie for Breakfast? Or Brunch or a light Dinner? Without a doubt! This flaky rim pastry tart filled with a rich, creamy filling is a classic French staple that boasts tradition in every bite. 
QUICHE LORRAINE
Pastry:

1 1/3 cup flour

Pinch of salt

3 ounces Neufchâtel cheese

1/2 cup butter
Sift together flour and salt. Add softened butter and Neufchâtel cheese. Mixture becomes crumbly but eventually forms a single large ball. Set aside for 30 minutes to an hour. Roll out and line a deep 9-10″ pie dish. 
Filling:

8 thin slices cooked ham or crisp smoked bacon

8 ounces Gruyère cheese*

2 cups sour cream

3 eggs and 1 yolk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon melted butter
Cover pastry alternating ham and cheese. Combine remaining ingredients. Pour over ham and cheese. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake at 375° 50-60 minutes until set. 
*May substitute Gruyère cheese for thinly sliced Swiss cheese. 

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Himalayan Salt Plate Lox and Bagels

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Himalayan Salt Plate Lox and Bagels! My newest kitchen “toy” is the Himalayan Salt Plate. Not only does it create a stunning presentation, it brings a subtle and unexpected flavor to foods served on it. First, chill it in the refrigerator overnight. It then becomes a serving platter on the table or buffet line. Everything lays directly on the salt plate to absorb the nutrients. I chose Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon, for starters, with all the trimmings for an exquisite banquet. The lox is traditionally smoked and sliced thin. It smells divine when I break the seal. Arrange hard-boiled egg slices for essence and red onion for a blend of slightly sweet gusto. Sprinkle on imported nonpareil capers for seasoning that lingers. Slather toasted bagels with the creamy Neufchâtel cheese mixture before adding ingredients. Top with fresh dill which pulls everything together, in my opinion. Now dig in. 
HIMALAYAN SALT PLATE LOX AND BAGELS
Ingredients:

4 ounces applewood smoked salmon

2 hard boiled eggs, sliced 

1/4 red onion, sliced

2 tablespoons imported capers, nonpareil

2 sesame bagels, split and toasted

4 ounces Neufchâtel cheese

1 tablespoon Greek yogurt

Fresh dill sprigs
Instructions:

Mix the Neufchâtel cheese and Greek yogurt until smooth, light, and creamy. Slather onto a toasted bagel. Top with smoked salmon pieces, hard boiled eggs, red onion slice, and imported capers. Garnish with fresh dill sprig. 

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Festive Breakfast Pizza! 

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Festive Breakfast Pizza! Whether you prepare a holiday brunch for invited guests or gather ’round the table in your pajamas, this recipe is a winner. Simply because, everyone loves pizza! You now have an excuse to eat it for breakfast, even if you’re “Home Alone”. It has baked eggs, it has shredded potatoes, it has crumbled sausage, and gooey cheese all together over a golden deep dish crust. So there you have it. Bring out the holiday movies, set up the TV tray, and eat pizza for breakfast. Permission granted. 
FESTIVE BREAKFAST PIZZA
Ingredients:

1 pound pork sausage, ground

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/8 teaspoon white pepper 

1/4 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Herb and Garlic Seasoning*

1 green pepper, chopped 

2 ounces pimentos, diced

1 cup hash brown potatoes, shredded 

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 

1 tube prepared pizza crust

5 eggs, beaten 

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown sausage until cooked and crumbly. Drain well. Sprinkle with seasoned salt, white pepper, and Mrs. Dash Herb and Garlic Seasoning. Microwave chopped green pepper on HIGH for two minutes. Combine diced pimentos, green peppers, and sausage. Mix well. For a deep dish pizza, roll out pizza crust and press into an iron skillet bringing dough up the sides of the pan. Layer with sausage mixture, hash browns, and cheddar cheese. Whisk eggs and milk together. Pour over the pizza. Top with Parmesan cheese. Bake 30-35 minutes or until eggs are set and crust is golden. 
*I receive no recompense for recommending Mrs. Dash Herb and Garlic Seasoning. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter K

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Timeless Classics: Kickstart Breakfast Burrito! Eggs have a way of warding off those mid-morning hunger pangs, in my opinion. Being high in protein makes them a favorite and keeps me from caving in to foods with empty calories later on. Because I’m a bread-lover, the tortilla satisfies like manna from heaven. Cheese, turkey sausage, and veggies kickstart my breakfast so I can stay focused and on point. Choose a breakfast wrap the next time you want a little variety in your day. 
KICKSTART BREAKFAST BURRITO 
Ingredients:

2 flour tortillas, burrito size

2 tablespoons salsa

2 tablespoons onion, chopped

1 small green pepper, chopped

1 tomato, chopped

1 lemon chili pepper, chopped (optional)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

4 eggs, beaten

2 tablespoons milk

2-4 turkey sausage links, precooked and sliced

4 tablespoons Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, finely shredded
Instructions:

Top tortillas with salsa. Set aside. Combine onion, green pepper, tomato, and lemon chili pepper in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle with kosher salt. Microwave on High for 1 minute, 45 seconds. Remove and set aside. Heat turkey sausage chunks for 30 seconds on High in the microwave oven. Set aside. In a nonstick medium skillet over medium heat, add beaten eggs. Cook, stirring occasionally for one minute. Add turkey sausage, shredded cheese, and vegetable mixture. Cook one minute longer or until eggs are set. Do not burn. Divide scrambled egg mixture between the tortilla shells. Fold into a burrito. Makes two breakfast burritos. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter D

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Timeless Classics: Date Bread with Walnuts! Treat yourself to remarkable flavors leaning toward exotic ingredients with a gourmet twist. Naturally dried dates have this amazing quality of satisfying a sweet tooth that needs a bit of nurturing any time of day. By adding the salty crunch of walnuts combined in a loaf pan, the results are more cake than bread. Perhaps it’s the splash of cognac that makes all the difference. 
DATE BREAD WITH WALNUTS
Ingredients:

2 eggs, room temperature; beaten

1 cup boiling water

1 tablespoon cognac

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

8 ounces pitted dates, finely chopped 

1 tablespoon butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup walnuts, chopped
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325°. Slowly combine beaten eggs with boiling water, stirring constantly. Add cognac, baking soda, and chopped dates. Mix well. Set aside for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cream together butter and sugar. Blend with date mixture. Mix flour and baking powder. Stir into date mixture. Fold in chopped walnuts. Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake for one hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.