A Breakfast Bowl for Champions Served to You by Gourmet Gin

When it comes to breakfast (brunch) I tend to take many chances with my family's menu.  My culinary inventiveness (actually it is just a desire to use all leftovers) trumps traditional breakfast fare on most days.

This week, for some odd reason, we had fresh delicious corn on the cob at the market.  Go figure, I have never seen it in December EVER!!  It has been nice here (Cincinnati) so I fired up my grill.  I treated my family to a summer dinner of steak, corn on the cob, and baked potatoes.

I am using family loosely here because my oldest son is away at college, and my senior in high school has a job, a girlfriend, and a schedule that on most days has me feeding him separate.  This has been hard because family dinners have been an important tradition through the years to me and my husband.  Times change, and I am going to change with them.

 I can see that I am really going to have to practice cooking for two!  I had several ears of corn left and there was no way I was going to let those go to waste.

The breakfast bowl consist of my 2 packets of low fat Ramen Noodles, fresh corn on the cob, fried egg, spicy relish and fresh limes.

Gin's Spicy Relish

4 jalapeno peppers, thinly sliced
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil

(1) Mix all ingredients and let marinate  for 1/2 hour.  (2) Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat, add oil and then sear remaining ingredients for 4 to 5 minutes stirring frequently.  (3)  ENJOY!

I use this relish on just about everything.  I love it, guess who doesn't?

That's right, Mr. Picky Head.  Imagine that??  His loss!  While I am enjoying perfectly cooked fish with a spicy topping, he is just eating fish.  While I am enjoying a taco with an additional fresh topping,  he is eating the same old "boring" taco.  (I think I will stop here since he is helping me with the purchase of a new camera!)

I divided the Ramen Noodles in three bowls and topped mine with the spicy relish, corn, fried egg and fresh lime slices.  The other two bowls were topped with corn and fried egg.  Why?  Mr. Picky Lucas Head is his father's son.

They are two picky peas in a pod.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  Here the two are at a picture taking event at his girlfriend's (Betsy) house for senior Homecoming. Betsy's Mother ( in the background) was kind enough to host this event at her house.

This dish is perfect anytime of the day.  I want to serve it with poached eggs, but I am terrible at this process!  The relish gives it just enough kick to get your taste buds going and the lime adds a subtle fresh flavor.

So go ahead, dare to serve this "different" breakfast to your family.  Hopefully you don't have Picky Heads in your house!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!

The Cookie Fairy and The Vanilla Toffee Crinkle Cookies

Is there such a thing as a Cookie Fairy? Just bear with me! It's been a long day with snow and ice. I've spent the entire day, in the house, with my teenage son!! (The other part of the day was spent texting my other son who is in College with MONO!!) More ice is coming, with the dire prediction that it could be the WORSE ice storm EVER for this area. I've had teenagers in and out of my house, ALL DAY LONG!! Some how, they avoid the law and order of no cars on the road. All I know is that I said "No" to my son driving. I ordered pizza for them. Don't ask me how the pizza guy made it here, but he did. He left with a really GOOD tip. I mean, he did help me feed a bunch of greasy teenage boys. What can I say but:

Vanilla Toffee Crinkle Cookies

1 (18 1/4 ounce) box white cake mix

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 bag toffee bits

confectioners' sugar for rolling

Preheat oven to 350°
Stir dry cake mix, oil and eggs in a large bowl until dough forms. Gently fold in Toffee Bits. Dust hands with confectioners' sugar and shape dough into 1" balls.
Roll balls in confectioners' sugar and place 2 inches apart on non stick cookie sheets.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until center is set.
Remove from pans and cool on wire racks.

I could sit here and tell you what deep sweet flavor these cookies have. I could tell you that they have a crunchy outside with a creamy, gooey inside. I could tell you that they would be perfect for your Super Bowl party. I could tell you that they are in the easy to make category. OR.... I could tell you just to believe in the Cookie Fairy. Here's wishing for SPRING!!

PS. That really isn't a Cookie Fairy but a Dotee Doll!