Salmon and Brie Stuffed French Toast

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Salmon and brie stuffed French toast

Want to take your breakfast to the next level? I'm not talking about adding bacon on bacon on bacon on some deep fried potatoes like those Epic Meal Time guys. I'm talking about the classiest thing you can do to food: stuffing it with an even fancier food. 

Stuffed French toast

Sure this isn't a breakfast you make the night after a crazy bender, and it's not the breakfast you make for the girl you met in the bathroom of the bar in the middle of your bender, even if you do end up bringing her home with you. It's the breakfast you make for someone who means something to you, because it takes time, preparation and work. Serving it to anyone else would just be a waste of time. 

Or if you're feeling selfish you can just make it for yourself. 

Chives and Salmon

brie

Salmon Fillet

Brie and other things!

Eggs n' Chives

Challah

Salmon with Maple Candied Onions

Salmon with Maple Candied Onion

• 1 large Salmon fillet
• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• 1 Small Red Onion halved and sliced
• 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
• 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
• 1 teaspoon Rice Vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Bourbon
• 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper
• Juice from Half of a Lemon

1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Add the butter to a skillet over medium high until melted. Throw the onions in the pan and saute until the onions start to sweat. Add the maple syrup, stir the onions around to ensure that they're all covered in maple. 
2. Once the onions have caramelized add the soy sauce, vinegar and bourbon to deglaze the pan. Cook until the liquid is gone.
3. Line a casserole pan with parchment paper. Lay the salmon fillet in the pan, drizzle the lemon juice, and olive oil over the top. Season with a little salt and pepper. Top with the maple onions.
4. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until done. Odds are you'll have some salmon leftover, I like to mix my leftover salmon with cream cheese and spread it on my bagels for breakfast the next morning.

Stuffin' that toast

bread becomes French Toast

Salmon and Brie Stuffed French Toast

• 1 loaf Challah Bread cut thinly (about 1 inch thick) 
• 6 oz. Brie
• Salmon from the recipe above
• Onions from the recipe above
• 1/2 cup of chopped Chives
• 1 cup Milk
• 8 Eggs (4 will be fried) 
• 1 Tablespoon Parmesan grated
• 2 Tablespoons Butter

1. Make a small incision in the bottom on the sliced bread. Insert the brie into the pocket, which should be about tablespoons worth, omitting the rind of the cheese. Then add about a teaspoon worth of chives. Add enough salmon and onions to fill the pocket, leave enough room to seal the crack with brie and finish filling the pocket. 
2. Fill as many slices as you're going to make before you start cooking the toast.
3. Whisk the milk, 1/4 cup of chives, 4 eggs, and parmesan together in a shallow pan, like a pie pan or something similar. 
4. Add one tablespoon to a large skillet over medium high and melt the butter. Dunk the stuffed slices into the mixture, be sure to cover both sides, but that's pretty obvious. 
5. Fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side.
6. Top each slice with a fried egg and garnish with chives or top with a little powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Breakfast

Breakfast

Don't settle for anything less than you deserve in life. When I say that I mean, "we all eat the breakfast foods we think we deserve." Don't get in bed with the drunken bathroom bar girl of breakfast food, aka soggy dinner pancakes, snuggle up with this salmon and brie stuffed French toast instead.

All these fantastic photos by

Katy Weaver

Savory Stuffed French Toast

Breakfast dish

Breakfast Poutine

Over Memorial Day weekend I went to Sasquatch! music festival up in Washington, and met a nice fella from Calgary, Alberta. We proceeded to discuss beer and food. He being from Canada, of course the unofficial Canadian national dish of poutine came up. For those of you who have never had poutine, it's a glorious dish of fries, gravy and cheese curds. Naturally I went with a breakfast version of this pile of cholesterol.

Before I really get into this post I want to make some mentions. As always Katy Weaver has outdone herself with these photos, I guess I'll keep her around. I really wanted channel my inner pretentious hipster though, and mention some of the great bands I saw at Sasquatch! My advice is that you should take a listen to Shovels & Rope, Deep Sea Diver, and Suuns. I also wanted to give a shout out to Terry from Calgary for giving me this recipe idea.

Breakfast Poutine

Yields three servings

• Fries from recipe below
• Hollandaise Sauce from recipe below
• 1 lbs Cheese Curds
• 1/4 cup chopped Chives
• 1 Avocado sliced

1. Plate the fries (recipe below) and top with hollandaise sauce (your guess is as good as mine when finding this recipe) and cheese curds. Garnish with chives and avocado, or just pile on the avocado, I'm not judging. 

Oven Baked Fries

Yields three servings

• 5 medium sized Golden Potatoes batonneted
• 2.5 table spoons Olive Oil
• 1/4 teaspoon of each Salt and Pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of Garlic Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Paprika

1. Use a mandolin (this kind, not this kind, but if you do use the musical instrument let me know how it works) to cut the potatoes into slices, then use a knife to batonnet them.
2. Once cut let the potatoes soak in a bowl of water for 5-10 minutes, this process removes some of the starch from the potatoes and makes them crispier once cooked. Preheat the oven to 375.
3. Drain the water from the bowl, then toss the potatoes in olive oil. Place the fries on a cooking sheet and season. 
4. Cook for 10 minutes then use a spatula to flip the tubers. Cook for another 10 minutes or until golden brown. 

Hollandaise Sauce

Devotees of this blog, all three of you, and yes that includes my mom, will remember that I have made several hollandaise sauces, this one, and this one with avocado. For this particular dish I went with the basic one with a little extra cayenne pepper, just for that extra kick!

If you're wondering if it tastes as good as it looks the answer is yes. A warning to the elderly, the pregnant or anyone with heart or back problems, this is a very rich dish and should be consumed at your own caution. On that note, enjoy!

All photos copyright Katy Weaver Photography

Skip's Scramble

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What have we always said is the most important thing? Breakfast.

In honor of the return of Arrested Development on the 26th and the one year anniversary of this blog we decided to make Skip's Scramble. 

Do not make the Skip's Scramble. 

The scramble is of course the standout dish of Skip's Bistro from Arrested Development, first featured in the episode, "

Out on a Limb

." This is the only dish that's epic enough to celebrate the return of Arrested Development and the one year blogiversary. You'll notice that all the dishes within the scramble are Arrested Development themed, and yes I even threw some cornballs in there. Sure, this post is a little different than previous ones, but after a year I figured take things to another level and push myself a little harder. I knew that to make it through this dish all I had to do was keep my head down and power through.

Skip's Scramble is the perfect dish to snack on while you binge watch the new season of Arrested Development on Netflix.

Skip's Scramble

• Everything on the menu

I Just Blue Myself Berry Waffles

Yields 6 square waffles

• 1 1/2 cup Flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1 1/4 cup Milk
• 1 Egg
• 3 tablespoons melted Butter
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Flavoring
• 1/2 cup frozen Blueberries

1. Strip down to your cut-offs and paint yourself blue.
2. Okay good now you're ready to start making waffles. Preheat your waffle iron. 
3. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Then mix in the milk, egg, cinnamon, and vanilla flavoring. Once everything is mixed together to a chunky chunky consistency add the blueberries. Stir the blueberries into the mixture and make sure the blueberries turn the batter blue or else you'll be blue (emotionally, not the color).  
4. Plop the batter into your waffle iron and cook until crisp. I would give you an exact time, but your waffle iron is probably really weird and cooks differently than mine.

Banana Stand Pancakes

Finally a breakfast item that will make your banana stand.

Yields 8 large pancakes

• 1 1/4 cup Flour
• 2 t Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1 cup Milk
• 1 Egg
• 3 tablespoons melted Butter
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Flavoring
• 2 mushed Bananas
• 1/4 cup Nuts
• 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips

1. Promote yourself to Mr. Manager. Then mix all the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Mash up the bananas in a separate bowl then use a spatula to scrape them into the mixing bowl containing the dry ingredients. Add the remaining ingredients, adding the nuts and chocolate chips last. 
2. Cook on a skillet over medium high heat until golden brown on each side. 

Cornball Cakes

Yo soy Loco por los Cornballs tortas!

Yields 10 cornballs

• 1/2 cup Cornmeal
• 1/2 cup Flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1/3 cup Milk
• 1 teaspoon Olive Oil

1. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix in the rest of the ingredients and get ready to start cornballing.
2. Heat oil in a skillet, enough to fry the cornballs. Use a large cereal spoon to scoop the batter into the pan. 

Banger in the Mouth

Oh I forgot here in the states it's called a sausage in the mouth.

• Spicy Pork Sausage

1. If you don't know how to cook sausage then you might need to reevaluate everything in your life.

Balboa Bay Bacon

The key to good bacon is to keep it fresh!

• Bacon

1. Fry in a pan over medium-high heat until crisp.

Model Home Fries

These aren't just a Homefill.

Yields 2 servings

• 3 red potatoes cubed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 400.
2. Toss the potatoes with the olive oil in a mixing bowl. Once coated with oil sprinkle the spices over the potatoes. Place on a cooking sheet and place in oven.
3. Cook for 10 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the potatoes, continue cooking until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Should be around another 10 minutes of cooking.

Fried Eggs Her? (Not Pictured)

• 2 eggs
• Salt & Pepper to taste

1. Break egg over skillet on medium-high heat.
2. Cook for about 45 seconds and then flip.
3. Cook for 30 seconds. Done.

Hot Ham Water

It's so hammy, and yet there's a smack of ham to it.

• 4 slices of ham

1. Place on skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Cook until slightly brown on each side.
3. Serve with bacon, because ham and bacon go well together.

Scrambled Eggs (Scramende Style)

If you Google this recipe, no results will be found.

• 4 Eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon Paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon Sweet Basil Flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon of Salt & Pepper
• 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese

1. Mix everything in a bowl. Pour into a small skillet and use a rubber spatula to scramble the eggs while they cook.
2. If they look done, then the eggs are probably overcooked.

Vodka on the Rocks with a Piece of Toast

• Vodka
• Ice
• 1 slice of Bread

1. Pour some vodka over ice and remember that it's only 8 am.
2. Make a piece toast.

Poisoned Muffins made by the Muffin Man

1. Just follow this recipe and add your favorite poison, might I suggest something with a bitter almond taste?
2. Place in muffin basket.

It Ain't Easy Being Egg Whites, It Ain't Easy Being Hash Browns

Breakfast food brings everyone together and patches cultural divides.

• 2 large Russet Potatoes grated
• 1/4 cup worth of grated Onion
• Salt & Pepper
• Olive Oil
• 2 Eggs yolk removed

1. Rince the potatoes. Grate the them into a mixing bowl. Squeeze out the juices over the sink. This will make the potatoes crispier once cooked. Grate the onion in with the potatoes. Mix together with the salt and pepper.
2. Pour enough oil into a pan to make a 2 cm-deep pool of oil. Heat over medium high. 
3. Place the potatoes in the pan. Cook for 5 minutes. Flip. Cook until golden brown.
4. Scramble the egg whites in a bowl with salt and pepper. Cook over medium high heat until cooked.

So there you have it, Skip's Scramble. Don't order the Skip's Scramble. We couldn't even make it halfway through it. Though if you're planning on throwing a viewing party I wouldn't dismiss the scramble. This dish pairs nicely with some GoBias Coffee.

All photos taken by the amazing 

Katy Weaver

On the next post of Cooking with B.S.-->

Brian discovers an old recipe from a cookbook from the 1900's. He discribes it to Katy and she rolls her eyes. After adding spices and other things they didn't have in the 1900's he makes "Beef Juice" taste somewhat edible. And Katy somehow makes "Beef Juice" look appetizing.

I need a favor

Yam Hash Browns

When given the chance to choose between regular ol' potatoes and yams, I'm going to yam it up. Yams are probably my favorite tuber, that is if I had to pick just one. As anyone who follows this blog knows that I love breakfast food, but to be honest I've never been a huge hash brown fan, whenever I eat them I always feel like something was missing. I discovered that the sweetness of the yams works well with the onions and to complete the full flavor of the dish I topped it with hot sauce and goat cheese. 

Yam Hash Browns

• 2 large red yams peeled and grated
• 1/4 cup of diced onions
• olive oil
• crumbled goat cheese
• Hot sauce (I use Sriracha)
• Sliced green onions
• Salt & pepper to taste

1. Peel the skin off the yams. 
2. Grate the yams into a large mixing bowl. Once the yams have been reduced to pieces, squeeze out as much of the juice you can. I'd recommend doing this over the sink. Also, you're hands might be stained orange after you do this, (regular hand soap removes the yam caused jaundice).
3. Mix in the diced onions with the bowl of yam shreds, add salt and pepper to taste. 
4. Find a large skillet somewhere in your kitchen, I don't know where you keep yours. Add enough olive oil to make a layer about 2 cm deep, and heat over medium high heat. 
5. I usually make two hash browns at a time. I make two hash brown shaped, well hash browns in the pan. Let the first side cook for about 5 minutes then flip and let the other side cook for another 5 minutes. DO NOT put the cooked hash browns on paper towels, they'll stick to the fibers in the paper and it'll just turn into a mess. I recommend using a wire cooling rack. 
6. To finish the dish, plate the hash browns and top with crumbled goat cheese, green onions, and hot sauce. Enjoy!

This is just the appetizer, more posts coming later this week!

All photos taken by Katy Weaver (I would highly recommend checking out her awesome newly redesigned website!)

Breakfast Chorizo Tacos

For too long breakfast burritos have hogged the spotlight in Mexican inspired breakfast food, but I say it's time to move on to something better than bland beans, cheese, and eggs stuffed in an old tortilla. The breakfast taco should get more attention, its size doesn't leave you bloated, like a burrito, but it's still enough to give you energy to start your day.

Also, good news this blog once again features high quality food photographs!

Breakfast Chorizo Tacos

• 10 oz. Chorizo
• 6 eggs
• 12 corn tortillas
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 3 oz. goat cheese
• 1 cup spinach

1. Start by cooking the rice, because it's going to take the longest.
2. Scramble the eggs and set aside. I put mine in the microwave to keep them warm.
3. Heat the tortillas in a pan sprayed with a little Pam. The oil will help them brown a little. Heat each side for about a minute. While those heat up start cooking the chorizo over medium heat. Stirring occasionally.
4. Once the chorizo is done cooking, place the rice, chorizo, eggs, and spinach in a line on a tortilla. Crumble goat cheese on top and drizzle the hollandaise sause over the top.

Avocado Lime Hollandaise Sauce

• 4 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 3 oz. butter
• 4-6 oz. purred avocado
• dash of cayenne pepper
• a pinch of lime zest
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Place a mixing bowl over a sauce pan with water in the pan over medium heat.
2. Mix the yolks, water, and lime juice into the bowl. Whisk until thick and pale.
3. Heat the mixture over the pan until they become frothy, be sure not to over cook the yolks by removing the bowl from the heat occasionally. 
4. When the bottom of the bowl becomes visible between strokes of the whisk add the butter and the avocado. Whisk until the butter and avocado be become smooth. Over whisking is encouraged.
5. Whisk in the zest, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.

The spiciness of the chorizo works with the creaminess of the hollandaise sauce and goat cheese, while the rice not only adds an extra texture element to these tacos, but also turns them into a main dish. 

There's a bonus post coming up this week! Featuring artichokes and the avocado hollandaise sauce.

All these fantastic photos by Katy Weaver Photography