$pent Millennial

The Story: 

When my partner,  Jesse, and I first started dating, one of our favorite dates was going out for Sunday morning breakfasts. When we were in Mississippi it would be a drive into the nearest town with an IHOP or Huddle House. When we moved to Wisconsin, we started going to more local diners and restaurants. We really enjoy a good breakfast! 

It was a cute and fun date, but when COVID-19 closed restaurants, we started making breakfast at home. It was an opportunity for me to show Jesse my breakfast making skills. By the time things opened back up, we had become used to cooking and eating delicious breakfasts at home. We didn’t really want to go back to spending the money we had been to those breakfasts out. After cooking meals at home (seasoning them just how we liked, using our favorite ingredients and preparing them in our favorite ways), it turned out we often liked our own home cooking better than the restaurants’. Our new weekend breakfast at home date routine was decided. 

The Money: 

When thinking about the money that was spent on those breakfast dates, the total would always total at least $30, pre-tip. And this was before the high inflationary prices hit. This morning, instead of spending $30+ dollars on a restaurant breakfast, I went to the grocery store and picked up some groceries- some which will be used for breakfast and some that won’t be. 

Here I am sharing what I bought (instead of breakfast out for two) for $30 along with the recipe of what I then made Jesse and myself for our Breakfast at Home date this morning. I used some of the ingredients purchased this morning, others were things I already had. 

$30 at the Grocery Store 

• 2lb bag of Cheddar Jack Shredded Cheese 
• 4 White Onions
• 3 Green Bell Peppers 
• 2 Red Bell Peppers 
• 1 lb of broccoli crowns
• 2 packs of Meatless Chorizo Links (8 Links Total) 
• 3 Packs of Morning Star Meatless Sausage Patties (about 18 patties total) 

The Breakfast: 

While whipping together the breakfast, I listen to one of my favorite True Crime podcast episodes. In total, it usually takes about 40 minutes to an hour – the perfect amount of time for a podcast episode. When it is finished, Jesse and I enjoy together just as we would when we went out to the restaurant- sitting in our home cafe, dining room. 

This is just one example of how I have found more mindfulness and joy- while saving money- by cooking at home instead of eating out.

At Home Cheesy Veggie Breakfast Skillet Recipe 

Ingredients:

• 2 slices  of cheese ( I used 1 Swiss, 1 Provolone) 
• ½ cup of cheddar jack cheese
• 1 red pepper
• 1 green pepper
• 1 white onion
• ½ pound of broccoli
• Frozen french fries
• 4 meatless sausage patties
• 8 eggs
• Seasoning: chili powder, paprika, black pepper, seasonall, cholula hot sauce

Instructions:

Prep Veggies for Potatoes:

1. Dice half of the red pepper, half of the green pepper, and half of the white onion.
2. Saute in a skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until slightly softened.

Potatoes:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Layer a small to medium-sized cookie sheet with frozen french fries and bake for about 15 minutes.
3. Remove from the oven, break the fries into small pieces, and toss in the skillet with a bit of oil, along with the sauteed peppers and onion.
4. Toss until coated, then return the mixture to the cookie sheet and put it back in the oven for about 25 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy and brown.
5. Optional: Add shredded cheese and return to the oven for a few more minutes to melt the cheese.

Toast:

Toast bread in the oven at 300 degrees for 4 minutes, then turn off the heat and flip the bread. Finish toasting for an additional 2 minutes.

Veggies for Skillet:

1. Chop the other half of the peppers and the white onion.
2. Cook in the skillet with a bit of oil, seasoning as desired.
3. Steam the broccoli separately and add it into the skillet. Toss and finish seasoning.
4. Continue cooking on low heat until the veggies are cooked through.

Optional: (Meatless) Sausage Patties

1. Microwave 4 meatless sausage patties for about 2 minutes, until heated through, 
2. Break them into small pieces and add them to the veggie mix for skillet
3. For other types of protein/meet- prepare and cook accordingly 

Eggs:

1. Remove the veggies from the skillet.
2. Grease the skillet with butter.
3. Pour in scrambled and seasoned eggs.
4. Cook and scramble on medium heat for about ____ minutes (you can fill in the blank based on your desired egg consistency), folding in cheese towards the end.
5. Turn off the heat and add in the cooked veggies and meatless sausage patties.

 Plating:

1. Place the prepared potatoes on a plate.
2. Spoon the egg, veggie, and sausage mixture on top of the potatoes.
3. Add toast to the plate.
4. Serve and enjoy your Cheesy Veggie Breakfast Skillet!

Note: Feel free to adjust cooking times and seasonings according to your taste preferences. As always, mix up the ingredients to work with what you have/ like.  Enjoy your delicious breakfast!