The Most Important Meal of the "Evening”

There is something really special about breakfast and brunch food and I must admit that I am totally addicted to the cuisine. This affinity began when I was about ten years old and I cooked my very first egg successfully. That moment grew my culinary interest, skills and my breakfast menu repertoire. There is nothing like a big breakfast on a lazy Saturday morning and I indulge on the Sundays that I can meet my favorite cousin for Brunch, around Noon. Nothing can touch the vivid memories that I recall as a child being at my Grand Mother’s home after school on a cozy Autumn evening and having my pallet totally seduced by my first ever introduction to breakfast as dinner. My world changed forever!

My Grand Mother walked to the beat of her own drum and was a naturally gifted cook. She knew that nurturing her family thought cooking was a definite extension of her love for us. The term “from scratch” could have been her mantra. It was common place to smell warm, wholesome, mouth-watering aromas wafting from the interior of her gas oven and filling the entire home. I remember that on this particular foggy evening in place of her usual dinner fare she served fluffy scrambled cheesy eggs with creamy, buttery grits and an array of country sausages and extra crunchy thick cut bacon. Not to mention pans of her hot and golden, steamy biscuits. Which no meal in her home was ever complete without and for me was the crowning touch. Especially when accompanied by the fresh caramelized, pan sautéed apples that she surprised us with. This was my breakfast T.K.O. a meal so gratifying that I fell in love with the concept.

Some evenings, after a long day it is so satisfying to arrive home and discover that it is the perfect time to indulge in my favorite craving. I have even pushed the envelope a little further and served breakfast at a dinner party that I hosted. Though that particular serving was more refined, it still held the same level of surprise and satisfaction that I first experienced and my guest adored it. From French Toast with fizzy Mimosas to smothered hash browns and stuffed omelets there are endless options.

I am sure that we each have a breakfast favorite that could inspire our next evening’s solo dinner or gathering with friends.