Breakfast for Dinner


A mysterious package arrived in the mail a few weeks ago. Heavy, padded, square and solid. I open the package, and voila! A cookbook! Not just any cookbook, but one that arrives just in time to save me from the frenzied schedule that vaporized most of February and March, Breakfast for Dinner.



My friends, I am sorry that I have been absent. I promise you it was for good reason. A new job at a company that I've had my eye on since college and a couple of unfulfilled attempts to land our dream home with a dream kitchen have eaten up days, nights, and weekend after weekend. Not to mention our sanity. We're still at square one on the home front, but a nice step forward was made for my career. I am hoping that a fabulous recipe from this charming book will help make up for the abrupt silence on this blog.

About Breakfast for Dinner. The first thing that struck me when I held up this book was a warm and fuzzy picture of the cheerful young couple, Lindsay Landis and Taylor Hackbarth, whose labor of love concocted this book. I imagine ya'll would swoon wistfully too with a glance.



While the concept of breakfast for dinner isn't new, it was quite nice to page through a formal collection of some hearty and easy-to-whip recipes. Most of the recipes come to life with the magic of eggs and become more sensational with the playful drizzling of maple syrup and generous sprinkling of bacon. Maple-glazed pork meatballs, bacon jam and even a maple-bacon cupcake made my short list. 

The classic breakfast for dinner recipe that I think of is one that satisfies and warms the belly as much at night as it does in the morning. Needless to say this recipe doubles for both meals of the day. Shakshuka, which translates into "all mixed up" in Hebrew, is a richly spiced tomato sauce with egg gently coddled to a runny poach-like quality. Herbs and crumbled feta are sprinkled over the thick soup to finish. Delicious and a cinch to make. 

Shakshuka 
From Breakfast for Dinner
Ingredients
  • 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 mild peppers (such as Anaheim), seeded and chopped
  • 1 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their juices
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 6 to 8 medium or large eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • warm pita or baguette, for serving
Method
  1. In a large, deep skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, peppers, and jalapenos and cook until softened and beginning to brown, about 7 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juices, vegetable broth, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper; lower heat and simmer for 20 to 22 minutes, or until thickened.
  2. Crack eggs on top of sauce; cover and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until whites are set and yolks are thick but runny (if you like firmer yolks, cook for 1 to 2 minutes more). Sprinkle parsley and feta cheese over top and serve with warm bread. S
Serves 3-4.

28 comments:

From the Kitchen said...

All is forgiven with this recipe + the introduction to a new cookbook! Congratulations on the job and good luck with the house hunt. Are you looking for something on the Main Line?

Best,
Bonnie

tasteofbeirut said...

Congratulations on the new job, and thanks for the yummy breakfast dinner recipe; I tend to eat these types of meal for lunch personally! :)
Good luck on the dream home, it will happen soon, rest assured!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Good luck with all your endeavors! I just got this book too, and can't wait to get started with Breakfast as the big meal of the day!

The Church Cook said...

My friend coined the term "Brinner" (breakfast for dinner). My church fam loves it the most than any other meals I serve. I must get a copy of this! Busy season your life with work and raising a family! My big hugs to our Alex! :)

Mari @Mari's Cakes said...

My daughter just took a peek at your shakshuka and wants to prepare this breakfast for dinner too:)

It looks like a wonderful book. Who wouldn't want breakfast for dinner? Enjoy!

My best wishes in all your new endeavors.

Hugs

Deana Sidney said...

First of all, congrats on the job. It is a great blessing to get what you want after a life-long dream.

Second, the house will come when you least expect it...
Third... great dish. One of my favorite things about being a grownup is that I can eat what I want when I want and no one can tell me differently. Breakfast for dinner or dinner for breakfast! love the thought!

Chiara said...

Congratulations on the new job and all the best!

Delicious Dishings said...

Congratulations on the new job! And best of luck house hunting. It is definitely a frustrating process... but hopefully worth it in the end! This dish looks wonderful. I've been cooking my way through that book as well.

Claudia said...

Yes, I'd have this for dinner (lunch and breakfast) in a heartbeat. Just welcoming. Congrats on the job - I hope everything else falls into place... you never know what's on the horizon.

nancy at good food matters said...

HI Christine,
Breakfast for Dinner is always welcome in our household, and I know that this cookbook is a winner. The couple that created it is from my town, Nashville, and they have a terrific blog as well: Love and Olive Oil. They were wise to choose you to review their effort.
Congrats on the job front, and best of luck on the dream home front.
Nancy

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

That is so awesome about the job, Christine, congratulations! What a wonderful time in your life.

Wonderful recipe and cookbook!

Kim said...

Breakfast for dinner is on my wish list. It looks like a fun book!

I'm making Yotam Ottolenghi's Shakshuka tomorrow. You've inspired me to add a little feta to it. Can't wait.

Lori Lynn said...

Hi Christine - good luck with your home search. And congrats on the new job!
I put the book on my list...
LL

Lindsay said...

It looks fabulous! So glad you are enjoying the book and thanks for sharing! :)

Daniela said...

Ah, that seems like a book I need!

Caroline Taylor said...

Congratulations on your new job! I've heard of this book and it sounds like a good one!

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

I love breakfast for dinner - what a fun cookbook. Congratulations on your new job!!

El said...

I love breakfast for dinner. It looks great!

Velva said...

Christine, this is a beautiful cookbook. You are going to get a lot of mileage out this cookbook.

Congratulations on your new job! The home will be coming soon.

I have really enjoyed following you these past years. Your passion for food and culture, travels and family has all been so much fun.

Velva

Erica said...

Good luck, Christine!!!Hope you find your dream home soon!

El said...

I have no doubt you will have both your dream job and your dream kitchen. Keep us posted. We're rooting for you!

carla said...

Hi, thank you for your visit to my blog. These eggs with feta, tomato and pepeproni look fabulous! I sign among your followers. See you soon

Barbara said...

Wishing you much luck with the job and house hunting!
Love this cookbook!

Cathy at Wives with Knives said...

A new job and moving all at the same time...you are a busy person. I have seen recipes for this dish and have never tried it. The seasoning blend looks delicious and I love the crumbled feta topping. Delicious photos too, Christine.

Stephanie said...

...and now I feel the need to cook!

tinyskillet said...

Sometimes ours lives just get in the way of our blogging...unless blogging is your life ;)

This looks amazing, I love your photos. I just can't seem to get my daughter to eat breakfast for dinner...but we do eat dinner for breakfast.

Haddock said...

Agree with what Lyndsey says....
No posts for long time ?

Chuzai Living said...

That dish looks so wonderful! I love breakfast for dinner. Great to hear that you landed on the job you've wanted since college and your recent home purchase.