Patty Griffin
Heavenly Day lyrics
Songwriters: GRIFFIN, PATRICIA J.
Oh heavenly day, all the clouds blew away
Got no trouble today with anyone
The smile on your face I live only to see
It’s enough for me, baby, it’s enough for me
Oh, heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day
Eggs Benedict & French Toast
We all had a hard time waking up and starting our day on New Year’s Day! It was a very late night on New Year’s Eve, getting home at 3 am and not being able to go to bed so soon, played into our morning /afternoon laziness!
For many years on New Year’s Day my husband and I always had our Eggs Benedict and French toast breakfast. Since the kids came along it was no different with them tagging along to a local diner in our town. They were not sure why they weren’t allowed to order breakfast for themselves and why we ordered the meal for them, which they tried and loved. This year I decided to make the breakfast at home….which instead of breakfast ended up being a late lunch.
French Toast Recipe (serves 4)
2 eggs
½ cup of milk (more or less)
1 -2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 teaspoon of allspice
A sprinkle of cinnamon
White bread (5 slices) –
Warm oven …….Combine all wet ingredients and spices into a bowl. Whisk egg mixture. In a frying pan take a couple of pats of butter and heat on low medium heat. Dip bread in the egg mixture and place in pan. After about a minute or so flip toast, fry until it is a golden brown – you might need to flip it a couple of times. Also keep in mind you need to adjust the stoves temperature, sometimes it might get too hot, lower slightly or raise slightly ( the joy of cooking on a electric stove! )As the French toast cook, place French toast on a baking sheet and keep warm in the warm oven. I have a warm and hold option – that is what I used. With the same pan that was used to cook the French toast heat through the Canadian bacon – also placing these in the oven to keep warm.
[lt_recipe name=”French Toast” servings=”4″ prep_time=”10 MINUTES” cook_time=”15 MINUTES” total_time=”25 TO 30 MINUTES” difficulty=”Easy” summary=”The Sweet ” print=”yes” image=”https://www.mangiamangianotalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/010113-060-1-595×574.jpg” ingredients=”2 eggs;;½ cup of milk (more or less);;1 teaspoon of nutmeg;;1 teaspoon of allspice;;A sprinkle of cinnamon;;White bread (5 slices) –” ]Warm oven …….Combine all wet ingredients and spices into a bowl. Whisk egg mixture. In a frying pan take a couple of pats of butter and heat on low medium heat. Dip bread in the egg mixture and place in pan. After about a minute or so flip toast, fry until it is a golden brown, on both sides – you might need to flip it a couple of times. Also keep in mind you need to adjust the stove’s temperature, sometimes it might get too hot, lower slightly or raise slightly ( the joy of cooking on a electric stove! )As the French toast cook, place each French toast on the baking sheet and keep warm in the warm oven. I have a warm and hold option. .[/lt_recipe]
Tater Tots Home-fries (These were totally not planned but a bonus) I did not have any potatoes (used them all on Christmas day) but I did have a ½ of a bag of Tater Tots a couple of green peppers and an onion on hand. TA-DA —-Home-fries!
I chopped a small onion, two Italian frying peppers, in a skillet I sauteed these with a little bit of olive oil adding a pinch each of sea salt and black pepper. Once the onions were translucent and browning a little and the peppers were softening I added the Tater Tots – as they were cooking and softening I mashed the tater tots with a potato masher – once mashed I thoroughly mixed all the ingredients together after ten minutes on the stove I removed the pan and placed it in the oven to keep warm. Thanks to a dear friend of mine who told me this trick/recipe, many years ago we had home-fries with our brunch.
At this time I started preparing the water in a deeper pan. I added the water with a couple tablespoons of white vinegar – brought the water to a gentle boil then lowered it in order for it to simmer gently; at the same time, I started to toast the English Muffins. (I only used the bottom portion of the English Muffins leaving the tops on the side if anyone wanted extra toast.)
[lt_recipe name=”Tater Tots Home Fries” servings=”4″ prep_time=”10 MINUTES ” cook_time=”15MINUTES” total_time=”25 MINUTES” difficulty=”Easy” summary=”Quick side dish ” print=”yes” image=”https://www.mangiamangianotalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/010113-061-2-595×471.jpg” ingredients=”Tater Tots – ( 1/2 of bag);1 or 2 Italian frying peppers or cubanelles – diced;1 small onion – chopped” ]I chopped a small onion, two Italian frying peppers, in a skillet I sautéed these with a little bit of olive oil adding a ; small pinch each of sea salt and black pepper. Once the onions were translucent and the peppers were softening I added the Tater Tots – as they were cooking and softening I mashed the tater tots with a potato masher –I thoroughly mixed all the ingredients together after ten minutes on the stove I removed the pan and placed it in the oven to keep warm. Thanks to a dear friend of mine who told me this trick/recipe, many years ago we had home fries with our brunch.[/lt_recipe]
Eggs Benedict
6 poached eggs.
In 6 small bowls, I cracked one egg each – one by one I dropped each egg in the water – the vinegar helps the egg whites coagulate around the egg yolk – so the vinegar is very important to add to the water. Each egg simmered in the water for about 3- 4 minutes and with a slotted spoon, I manipulated the egg white around the egg yolk. It is easier to do one egg at a time. On a baking sheet lined with paper towels, I plopped the egg on it when it was finished cooking.
[lt_recipe name=”Eggs Benedict” servings=”4″ prep_time=”15 MINUTES” cook_time=”3-4 MINUTES FOR EACH EGG ” total_time=”30-45 MINUTES” difficulty=”Not Hard” summary=”Poached Eggs ” print=”yes” image=”https://www.mangiamangianotalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/12312013-nye-2257-595×595.jpg” ingredients=”6 Eggs;Water ;A Deep Pan;Vinegar 2 o 3 Tablespoons;6 small bowls ;a baking sheet lined with paper towels” ]6 Eggs;;In 6 small bowls, I cracked one egg each – one by one I dropped each egg in the water – the vinegar helps the egg whites coagulate around the egg yolk – so the vinegar is very important to add to the water. Each egg simmers in the water for about 3- 4 minutes and with a slotted spoon, I manipulate the egg white around the egg yolk. It is easier to do one egg at a time. On a baking sheet lined with paper towels, I plopped the egg on it after the 3 to 4 minute cooking time.;;Making Eggs Benedict with the poached eggs;;Arrange the bottoms of toasted English muffins on a platter, place one slice of Canadian Bacon on each English muffin, add one poached egg, spoon over each egg the Hollandaise Sauce, then top with a pinch of either parsley, thyme, tarragon or chives. Either one of these herbs is fine. I used dried herbs and a small pinch goes a long way. Chives and Parsley are the only herbs that are fresh when I use them.[/lt_recipe]
Regarding the sauce, I did not make it from scratch …I cheated and made it from the Knorr’s envelope – in my defense I did not want to take a chance to try to make it and worry that it would not come out right; I was also nervous that I could get any one us sick if not cooked properly. So I cheated and used the envelope which was actually pretty good and quite easy. I promise that I will learn to make this sauce, and next time make it from scratch.
Please note these are my recipes; I add the spices without actually measuring the amounts; the above measurements are estimates- salt was only added when I cooked the onions and the peppers – it was a very little pinch. because I know that the Tater Tots are salty. I did not add any more salt when I added the Tater Tots into the pan.
I started this post with words and video from Patty Griffin’s song Heavenly Day because that is what it felt like…..”A Heavenly Day”; a lot of funny little surprises occurred – we did go to the beach; regardless of the time, and each of us was able to cast a stone into the water with something positive written on them – I found a beautiful white feather, and two great songs played on the radio on the way home from the beach….. Better Things by The Kinks and Glad Tidings by Van Morrison.
Why we Eat Eggs Benedict and French Toast on New Year’s Day
I want to explain why we eat Eggs Benedict and French toast on New Years Day. To us it represents the richness and sweetness in our lives (boy did I not get that until this year.)….When we first implemented this tradition, many, many, years ago; we believed what we needed in our lives is “a wealth” and “a sweet life”. So each New Year’s Day the first thing we tasted was something rich and something sweet.
What I learned this year….
What I learned this year is that to make Eggs Benedict you have to start with a simple egg recipe … A poached egg! – This is the simplest egg recipe that there is. As the egg gets placed into the water, the white of the egg looks like a white veil wrapping around the yolk – in truth the sole purpose of an egg white is to protect the yolk, the yellow part of the egg,- the part that is vibrant and full of rich nutrients, the function of the yolk is to feed and nurture. Look at a poached egg it looks like a basic egg. Place it on a piece of toast that is topped with a sweet ham, pour a rich sauce that traditionally is made of egg yolks and viola, you have yourself a meal that is rich, full, and layered. Yet take out all those ingredients and you still have that simple egg, that in itself is also layered and once it is broken the luxury of the meal is evident. Our lives are complicated with so many layers – and yet it’s so simple because, in the end, we all want the same thing…or we actually have it all along hidden under many layers! I like to think that, because we kept it simple this year, not going out to the diner, and I provided my family with a meal nurturing their appetite – that I was gifted, with a white feather and two great songs…. Is that all it takes ….yes that is all it takes some days because I know that our love for one another is rich and life is truly sweet!
Enjoy and don’t forget
Mangia Mangia ….no talk!
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