Holy Brunch Batman

Medina's is gooooooooooooooood. So good.

We got there early and it was already packed, with people waiting inside and on the sidewalk.

Thankfully we didn't have to wait long and as soon as we sat down our lovely server, Emma, came by to get our coffee orders. Loved my americano - it was perfect.

The waffles are as good as we expected - great flavor, fluffy but substantial, and dipping a chunk of waffle in dark chocolate sauce is perfectly delicious. We could have eaten a dozen more and made that breakfast, but everything else on the menu sounded too good to miss.

My omelette du matin was fantastic and Emma was sweet enough to put together a custom plate for David, who isn't a fan of brussels sprouts or really anything green in his food.

It's a good thing they're downtown or else I'd be there every morning. Absolutement.

Mmm... Steamed Vegetables

On these cold, damp winter days, I can't think of any food group I want less to do with than vegetables.

I was just reading a recipe that included steamed vegetables and the idea of sitting down to a plate of that made me wince.

Maybe if those veggies were then pureed and added to a hearty base of potato leek soup, or perhaps folded gently into a cheesy, creamy macaroni casserole-type dish, or maybe thrown out into the yard for the squirrels.

The other day I stumbled upon a rather satisfying new breakfast concoction that's perfect for this time of year.

We had some leftover smashed potatoes to which I'd had the foresight to add the "fairy dust of food" - chopped bacon (sorry vegans). Now, we all know that eggs and potatoes are great together - but even better: eggs, potatoes and BACON.

So into the skillet goes a little butter, then the leftover smashed, bacony-good potatoes. Let those warm up and if you like, get a little color, but don't stir them - just move them around gently - keep them "clumpy." Once the potatoes are heated through, throw in your scrambled eggs and cook just until almost done - don't dry 'em out.

Season to taste and enjoy. Research proves that this recipe works well with any leftover potatoes.

Power Bread

Found a new bread recipe book this past weekend and the new magic box is churning out what appears to be a way better looking concoction than what I've been producing from the manufacturer's cookbook.

Let's just say, previous loaves have resembled Irish soda bread without intending to make Irish soda bread.

The Box is churning out a whole wheat flax seed recipe - I love me some whole grain with the added protein (and fiber!) from flax seed. The magic box has a cycle where you can add mix ins, like nuts, seeds, chocolate chips or what-have-you.

I wondered, what if I threw in whole coffee beans and some almond butter at the Mix In cycle - then I wouldn't bother making toast. Just cut a slice and dig in - my morning meal all in one hearty slice.

And Happy Birthday America. We celebrated by watching the World Cup and the Tour de France. Tonight we'll open a bottle of French wine and have some Mediterranean olives, Italian, sliced meats, and some Dutch cheese.

To all the knot heads out there who will blow shit up to "celebrate," if you blow off a hand, let that be a lesson to you.