Tips for Thanksgiving: Easy Breakfast

We are breakfast eaters in my family  and make no mistake, breakfast is not really breakfast at the Menzies residence unless it includes eggs and lots of them.

No matter how vast the Thanksgiving feast will be a few hours later, the day always starts with the traditional scrambled eggs, venison sausage, homemade cinnamon rolls and banana bread.

Year after year I watch my poor Mom wake up early to start preparing the non-stop food fest.

Besides the fact that it is tradition, it occurs to me that perhaps there should be a better way to have our feast without the marathon day of cooking.

Earlier this year I was reading an online magazine article that offered a great suggestion for an easy and delicious big breakfast that requires practically no clean-up boiling pot omelets.

Since reading the article I've had my doubts about whether the whole concept was one of those suggestions that sounds good but will end in disaster, so Amanda and I tried it out and found it to be a great idea.

I especially find this to be a great idea if you're dealing with children who are always eager to help cook.

All it requires is a carton of eggs, a box of plastic freezer bags, a pot of boiling water and prepared omelet garnishes like tomatoes, peppers, onions and cheddar; mushrooms, spinach and Swiss cheese; add some scrambled sausage, chopped ham or crispy bacon crumbles and you're all set.

The beauty of boiling pot omelets is that they are completely customizable and don't require messing up three different dishes that you'll probably need clean for cooking the main meal.

Here's how it works:

 Put a large pot of water on to boil;

 Pass out freezer bags to each individual and have them write their name on the bag with a marker;

 Have each person crack and add the desired amount of eggs to their bag along with one half egg shell full of water per egg added (this gives the eggs that moist, omelet consistency);

 Then have each person add their desired omelet garnishes (we tried sliced mushroom, chopped spinach and some shredded Swiss and it was delicious), salt and pepper;

 Make sure the bag is completely sealed then beat the eggs by shaking and squishing the eggs in the bag (the kids will love this part);

 Then place the bags in the pot of boiling water until eggs are firm.

When we started this project I was expecting melted plastic bags and rubbery eggs.

To my surprise, the omelet turned out to be the best both of us had tasted in a long time.

Clean up requires nothing more than dumping the pot of boiling water and throwing away the wilted freezer bags.

I hope the suggestion is one that you will find enables you to spend a little less time standing over the stove and a little more time visiting around the family table while enjoying a hearty and delicious breakfast.

Here's wishing you and your family a great Thanksgiving holiday.

SOURCE: baycitytribune