Tamagoyaki
This year I started watching a lot of cooking videos, which is where I was first introduced to Tamagoyaki, a rolled Japanese omelette seasoned with dashi and a bit of sweetness. They require a certain technique (see Rie make them here), special equipment like this pan, spatula, and a bamboo mat, as well as time and patience, but are a delicate treat for weekend breakfasts. Visit the original recipe for process photos and extra notes.
Savory Breakfast Oats
Mornings during the pandemic are a scramble to get everyone up, in front of laptops, and ready for a day of remote learning and work. I usually realize at some point mid-morning that I never ate anything, and I’m now starving.
Sugary breakfasts aren’t helpful, so lately I’ve been craving something more savory. This filling bowl of oatmeal is ready in minutes, keeps me going for hours, and is delicious, once you get used to the idea that oatmeal doesn’t have to be sweet.
I’ll use name-brand ingredients here, since the directions for preparing oatmeal are specific to the brand and style of oats, and because the saltiness of the dish depends on the type of broth and salt used. If you’re using different brands, follow the oatmeal’s package directions (adding the egg two minutes before the end), and season according to your own taste.
Sunny Side-Up Eggs
Eggs have to be done just right for Leo to eat them. He’s perfectly happy with scrambled eggs or egg ribbons, where the yolk is incorporated in with the whites. Forget about a dry, crumbly hard-boiled egg yolk. I was surprised when he asked for, and then devoured sunny side up eggs, but I’m happy to oblige.
Baked Egg Cups
During the school year I have zero time to make breakfast, but making sure kids have a good, protein-filled breakfast can make a big difference in their school day.
These egg cups are easy to make ahead of time and reheat in the morning, and because they’re made in individual portions, they can be customized for individual tastes. At their base, they’re nothing more than eggs, milk, and cheese. Add leftover veggies, caramelized onions, jalapeños, or whatever you like for the grown-ups.
Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad
If you’re looking for a mouth-watering salad filling enough for dinner, but still lettuce-based (so it at least seems healthy), this is it. Romaine lettuce is topped with marinated and grilled sliced chicken thighs, bacon, tomatoes, avocado, red onions, boiled eggs, and honey-dijon vinaigrette.
Egg Ribbons
Leo doesn’t fall for recipes that trick kids into eating healthy foods, but he loves eggs in almost any form, and having another way to prepare them is great.
To make ribbons, you gently cook a circle of eggs like a crepe, then roll the crepe and slice it into ribbons.
Pressure Cooker Sous Vide Egg Bites
If you’ve had the Starbucks Sous Vide Egg Bites, you know they’re delicious, but they’re also expensive. These copycat egg bites are easily made at home with a blender, silicone baby food mold, and pressure cooker.
Cheesy Egg Wraps
Fill tortillas with scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, and sautéed bell peppers, bacon, and jalapeño. Fold into a burrito and toast in a hot skillet until crispy and golden. These are perfect for breakfast or for a weeknight dinner, and they freeze well.
Pressure Cooker Boiled Eggs
“Boiling” eggs in an electric pressure cooker gives you consistent results and eggs that are really easy to peel.
Soy Eggs
We’ve fallen in love with the soy-marinated boiled eggs found at ramen shops and the festivals at Leo’s school, and they’re so easy to make at home. We use medium-boiled eggs (though the little dude likes them hard-boiled), and soak them in a solution of soy sauce, sherry vinegar, and sugar.