April Newsletter: Breakfast Tips
The Most Important Meal of the Morning
It is the meal that gets our day going, and can determine if we feel sunny-side up, scrambled or fried. Having the right tools can help ease the stress, especially during the week when we are all rushing.
From eggs, to hash, bacon or making gravy, a skillet is an indispensable pan for breakfast. One of our favorites is the classic cast iron with a twist from Finex. Made in Portland, OR these thoughtfully-designed pans can turn out soft, custardy scrambled eggs or put a good brown crust on home fries. And clean-up is a snap.
If we can’t convince you how easy it is to care for your cast iron, then maybe you should go for our favorite non-stick skillets from Swiss Diamond, the best non-stick we have found. The also make great griddles in single or double burner sizes.
Tip of the Month:
Poach Pods
If poached eggs are more your jam but you have trouble making them at home, we suggest Fusion Brands Poach Pods. Have a sauce pan ready with water at a good strong simmer, but not boiling. Rub the pods with olive oil or melted butter. (Do NOT use a cooking spray! The propellants in them tend to gunk up on the surface of what you use, making them tacky, the opposite of what you want!) Drop the eggs in the pods and place them floating on top of the water. Cover the pan and cook 3-5 minutes depending on how you like your eggs and just scoop them out with a slotted spoon. Slip them out of the pods and right onto your English Muffin. For those of you that like to get technical, this is actually coddling, not poaching.
Question of the Month:
What’s the difference between poaching and coddling?
Poaching is cooking something directly in a liquid below the boiling point. Coddling is almost the same thing, but the food is secured in some sort of vessel rather than directly in the liquid. The results for both methods are tender and gently cooked foods such as fish, eggs, chicken or even fruits poached in wine.
Morning Elixers
We can’t mention breakfasts without bringing up a morning cup! Whether it’s coffee, tea or juice we have you covered! We carry our own line of locally roasted coffees, incredible full leaf teas from England and the best juicer around for any kind of juice, as well as the best juice glasses to put it in.
For the mornings you need to get out quick, with a kettle and an AeroPress you can have a wonderful cup of coffee made directly into your travel mug and be out the door in under 10 minutes.
Book of the Month:
The Perfect Start to Your Day – Tonia George
With sections on drinks (Pomegranate & Orange Sunrise), eggs (Eggs en Cocotte with Leeks and Tapenade), baked goods (Bagels!) and even making your own jams (Grapefruit and Cardamom marmalade), this book has everything you’ll need for making breakfasts for yourself during the week or entertaining a crowd for a weekend brunch.
Recipe of the Month:
Cornmeal Waffles with Strawberry Topping
Facebook Giveaway:
Chef’s Choice Waffle Maker
With a dial for doneness and a switch to choose if you want it crispy outside/moist inside or cooked evenly all the way through this waffle iron will please everyone! And the high quality non-stick finish makes cleaning hassle free.
To enter the drawing, go to our Half Moon Bay or Santa Cruz Facebook page and comment on the giveaway post.