A Week's Worth of Fast and Easy Family Breakfasts

So, Erica called me and said the Egg Farmers of Canada were challenging me to feed my kids eggs for an entire work week in order to prove how easy (and fast) it is to serve eggs for breakfast. Hahahahahaha. I laugh in the face of such challenges Erica and you silly egg farmers!

"Pfft, that's so easy," I say. "Prove it," says Erica.

Okey dokey then, because truth be told, I already feed my kids eggs almost every day of the week anyway. Eggs are incredibly delicious and one of the most nutritious meals you can put on the table for your kids and YOU. Yes, you mom, I'm staring at you, the one who says I don't have time for breakfast. *eyebrow raised.* I'm here to tell you that yes, indeed, you do have time!

I set out to make a work week's worth of breakfasts that were under 10 minutes from the time I pulled out the toaster until the time I put it on the table. And I succeeded (save one) and you can too. The key is preparation. Look at your recipes the night before. Something like scrambled eggs takes no previous prep, but an omelet or shirred eggs can benefit from a little prep work. Chop veggies the night before and store in the refrigerator. Or butter dishes the night before as well, just to save you an extra step. Pull out your toaster or place the frying pan on the stove. Anything that can be done the night before will save you precious moments in the morning!

Below is what I made Monday to Friday and my time captured on my phone.

Scrambled Eggs

This is a recipe from the Egg Farmers of Canada website. Scrambled eggs are super fast to make and such a great way to start the day.

This took me a little longer than the 4 minutes their website states but I also threw in a Pineapple Spinach Smoothie just to be an overachiever.

French Toast

This is basic French toast recipe. Feel free to add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the egg mixture.

Veggie Omelet

2 eggs
Splash of milk
1 tbsp chopped red pepper
1 tbsp chopped onion
1 tbsp chopped green pepper

  Spray non-stick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium high heat. Toss in peppers and onions and cook, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes. While veggies are cooking whisk eggs and milk together in bowl. Pour over vegetables and cook until set and cooked mostly through. Using spatula fold in half and continue to cook through until done, another 2 to 3 minutes.

Serve with toast and another Spinach Smoothie. ( I know, I'm just showing off now)

Stuffin Muffin

2 whole wheat English Muffins, split
2 eggs, poached
Cheese slices, your preference
2 ham slices

  Boil water for egg poacher (or do in microwave for an even faster breakfast), and poach eggs to desired doneness.

  While eggs are cooking, toast English Muffins, place cheese, ham, and poached egg on muffin and serve.

Shirred Eggs

This one took a teensy bit longer than my 10 minute standard but is SO worth it. A little prep the night before (as with the omelet) is all it takes for a fancy schmancy breakfast on the fly.

2 eggs
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons shredded Gruyere cheese (done night before and refrigerated)
2 teaspoons minced shallot (done night before and refrigerated)
a few sprigs of thyme
2 pieces of toast, cut into thin slices

  Preheat oven to 425°F. (do this as soon as you get up, so the oven is coming to temp while you brush your teeth). Lightly grease two 4-inch ramekins (do this the night before and leave on counter covered with cloth for next morning. If serving a crowd you can double or triple the recipe if need be and cook in a gratin dish - cooking time may be slightly longer).

  Crack each egg into a ramekin, and pour 1 tablespoon of cream onto each egg. Sprinkle the cheese, shallots and a few thyme leaves onto each egg.

  Bake for 7 to 10 minutes (7 for a soft, 10 for a firmer yolk), until the egg is 'set' to your preference. Serve immediately with toast. Eggs will continue to set up as you eat, so get them to the table as soon as possible.

And that's it folks. A work/school week's worth of fast, delicious, and nutritious breakfasts and one healthy family off to conquer the world in the morning. 

Finally, I thought I was being such a smarty pants by taking screen shots of my timed breakfasts. Not so. The Egg Farmers of Canada beat me to it. Check out this cool app you can get for your iPhone or Android....free.