Fancy Schmancy Recipes

by Marisa

I have been so lazy in the morning!  Sundays are for lounging so I guess it’s okay  

I decided to make the husband and daughters a special “fancy” breakfast – pancakes and warm apples with cinnamon sugar and whipped cream!  It looked so good.  I was slightly jealous, so I decided to make a fancy (more “legal”) breakfast for myself.  Eggs Benedict is one of my favorite breakfasts and I love to order it out at restaurants and for special occasions.  This morning, I had an idea for an easier and lighter version.  I wasn’t quite sure how this would all come out since the whole idea around this was to make it not only light, but also fast by using the microwave for cooking!  I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to pull it off and in less than 10 minutes!

It was all in the method…

Easy Eggs Benedict For One

• 1 Thomas’ light english muffin
• 2 egg whites
• 1 oz. 98% lean diced ham
• 1 tsp. flour
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 1 slice 2% cheese

1. Lightly toast english muffin.
2. Spray 2 ramekins (4 oz.) with nonstick cooking spray.  Place 1 egg white in each ramekin.  Microwave 1 ramekin at a time for about 30 seconds, making sure to place a microwave safe plate over each ramekin while cooking to prevent egg from popping.  Depending on individual microwave wattage, it may take another 10- 20 seconds until fully cooked.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine flour and milk, whisking until smooth.  Break cheese into pieces and place in bowl with flour and milk.
4. After eggs are cooked, place cheese mixture in microwave and cook on high for 1 minute.  Stir well.  Cook another 30 seconds.
5. Top toasted english muffin with each egg white and diced ham.  Spoon sauce over eggs.  Garnish with chopped chives or green onion.

To go with my fancy breakfast, I had a strong cup of Peet’s Mocha Java in the press…

I ate my fancy schmancy breakfast in my pj’s and proceeded to stay in them for the rest of the day!  Sluggy!  I did manage to fit in some strength training moves and the most lame-o planks ever.  The husband was timing me and we were cracking up at my barely- holding- for –30 -seconds lameness!   I will be a strong woman one day!

Lunch was the family’s leftover chicken fajitas.  I took the leftovers and made them into a salad topped with guacamole and cheeeeeeese…

Things went south in the afternoon.  I ate trail mix.  With M&M’s.  Why do I buy this?  Yeah, I don’t know.  Because I love to torture myself with things that I don’t seem to be able to control myself around?  Yes,  I believe that is the answer.  I ate this times…oh, I don’t know, maybe 14!!!!!! 

Big huffy huff

I made a very nice dinner that everyone loved.  Miracles can happen.

  Again, another easy dish that’s all about the method:

 Chicken with Italian Cherry Tomatoes and Mushrooms

• 5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• s +p
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 lb. button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 can (15 oz.) Italian cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1. In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook for 20 seconds.  Add chicken.  Brown on both sides until golden, but not cooked through.
2. Add mushrooms, tomatoes, wine and basil.  Cover, reduce heat to low and cook for about 30 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.  Add fresh parsley just before serving.

I topped the chicken with a sprinkle of parmesan and served it with steamed broccoli and freshly baked whole wheat bread…

Did I say fresh bread?  Yes. more. fresh. bread…

BIGGER huffy huff

ONE GOOD THING:  There is no more trail mix.  Or bread. 

Clearly, I need more studying. 

Have a great day, everyone!

15 comments

1 Weight Watcher Wannabe { 01.11.10 at 8:39 am }

Thank you Thank you for the Eggs Benedict recipe.. Im really looking forward to trying it… Your Blog is great..

2 JocelynEatsFresh { 01.11.10 at 8:57 am }

Your meals look delightful today! The bfast that you made for your fam sounds reallllly yummy…even if not *legal* I still would have ate it lol…and don’t worry gurl I would have given in to the trail mix as well!

3 Marissa { 01.11.10 at 10:27 am }

I am soooo craving guacamole!

4 Naomi (onefitfoodie) { 01.11.10 at 10:37 am }

YUM all of your recipes are so fresh and healthy I love it I made homemade guac this weekend it was SO good!!!

5 Heather @ Side of Sneakers { 01.11.10 at 10:52 am }

I love eggs benedict! Your home version looks sooo good

6 Stephanie { 01.11.10 at 10:57 am }

Ok, here is my question for you, and please listen with an open mind because it may sound odd at first:
Do you think you might be eating tons of trail mix because your body’s asking for fat?
We’ve been taught to villify saturated fat, but it’s based on some really shoddy science. And over and over again I see clients who are devotees of skim this and lowfat that go nuts on the Ben and Jerry’s or peanut butter or whatever. You body just might be asking for some fat! Try it out and let me know what you think.
BODA weight loss

7 tj { 01.11.10 at 11:15 am }

eggs benedict is my favorite breakfast-EVER! I never made it at home- might have to try it soon! THANKS!

8 Estela @ Weekly Bite { 01.11.10 at 12:47 pm }

I love eggs benedict! Your version looks great!

9 katecooks { 01.11.10 at 3:23 pm }

i had eggs benedict w/salmon for breakfast on sunday too! except mine was at a restaurant and the eggs werent really poached = major fail! your version looks super delicious!

10 Andrea@WellnessNotes { 01.11.10 at 4:17 pm }

The eggs benedict and the chicken dish sound great!

Buying things you have a hard time controlling – I have done that (and still do it sometimes) so many times… Really good bread is one of the things I have a hard time controlling. I now always freeze most of it once I bring it home. Can you freeze trail mix? And remember, it’s all a journey, and you are going in the right direction!

11 TjRenee { 01.11.10 at 6:28 pm }

I’ve never tried making eggs benedict before, but your recipe looks like something I could do. Will let you know when I do.

Oh, and I buy(and eat) that trail mix too. Why, indeed! *sigh*

12 Emily { 01.11.10 at 9:33 pm }

That Eggs Benedict is droolworthy!

13 Miz { 01.12.10 at 5:56 am }

Im baaad with trail miz postion control. (oops typo. that should be MIX ).

I used to save a ton of money buying in BULK—but then I consumed in bulk as well.

now I try to buy in bulk and portion out.

works sometimes but since I know the bulk resides in the pantry waiting…sometimes NOT so well.

14 Joanna Sutter { 01.12.10 at 6:48 am }

I would have the exact same issue with that trail mix. Heck, I have trouble enough with just the almonds in my cupboard minus the M&M’s!

15 Rachel { 01.12.10 at 9:48 am }

Your dinner looks delish. Saving the recipe as I type