Ratatouille with Eggs

Eggplant - aubergine - eggplant - aubergine.....

 

What ever you call this sexy purple little number it's definitely a winner.  Eggplant, I have since found out is actually a fruit.  It's a species of nightshade grown specifically for it's edible fruit which is widely used in cooking, most famously as one of the key ingredients in Moussaka and Ratatouille. Eggplant is low in fat, protein, and carbohydrates but sadly it contains relatively low amounts of most important vitamins and minerals.

 

The raw fruit can have a somewhat bitter taste, but becomes tender when cooked and develops a rich, complex flavor. Eggplant, due to its texture and bulk, can be used as a meat substitute suitable for vegan/vegetarian recipes. The fruit flesh is smooth, as in the related tomato (hahaha another fruit) and the skin is edible.  From chutneys, curries, baked dishes or even meat filled eggplants are such a versatile ingredient used in the cuisine of many countries.

But for a vitamin packed brunch (breakfast) we had this veggie and "fruit" medley - definitely the perfect start to Sunday morning.  Eggplant, mushrooms, zucchini, onions and herbs enveloped in tomato sauce served with eggs and turkish bread.... mmmmmmmmm!!!

Minus the eggs (and toast) this Ratatouille is the perfect side dish for barbecue meats etc..... just saying!!

Ratatouille with Eggs

(Recipe adapted from WW Double Up Dinners Cookbook)

 

Serves: 6

ProPoints per serve: 6

 

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 brown onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 fresh or dried bay leaf

6 fresh thyme sprigs, with extra to serve

2 medium eggplant, cut into 3cm cubes

500grams zucchinis, sliced in half lengthways and thickly sliced

2 red capsicums, cut into 3cm cubes

200 grams button mushroom, sliced

2 x 400grams can diced tomatoes

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 - 2 teaspoons dried chilli flakes

12 eggs

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-hight heat.

 

Cook onion, garlie, bay leaves and thyme sprigs, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

 

Add eggplant, zucchini, capsicums, mushrooms, tomatoes, oregano and chilli flakes.  Bring to the boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour or until vegetables are tender and mixture thickens.  Discard bay leaves and thyme stalks.

 

Heat a non stick frying pan over high heat.  Fry eggs to your liking.  Top ratatoille with eggs and extra thyme. 

 

Serve with toasted bread of your choice, if desired.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

 

Bacon Mushroom and Tomato Medley

As with every year by the time the football season is over we are over egg and bacon for breakfast on a Sunday.  Today is the first Sunday since April we have our Sunday's back.  Don't get me wrong we love junior football but it takes the whole day with games, helping out and presentations on a Sunday evening.  It's for a good cause though - the kids.

This morning I decided to use a punnet of mixed tomatoes along with some mushrooms and bacon to create a lighter yet filling brunch.  Such a mixture of vegetables, some herbs, a little bacon all served on a toasted slice of Pane di Case - YUM!!

To be perfectly honest this would make a lovely pasta topping or as a side dish with a meat.

Bacon Mushroom and Tomato Medley

 

Serves: 4

ProPoints per serve: 1

 

cooking spray

1 red onion, diced

125 gram packet Weight Watchers Bacon, thickly sliced

200 grams buttom mushrooms, quartered

1/2 bunch fresh thyme sprigs, leaves removed

400 gram punnet Mixed Baby Tomatoes

freshly ground black pepper

fresh basil leaves to serve

Heat a large frying pan over high heat, spray with cooking spray.  Add onion and bacon cook, stirring, for 2 - 3 minutes or until onion has softened.  Add mushrooms, stirring, for a further 5 minutes.

Add thyme and tomatoes, season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.  Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for a further 5 - 8 minutes or until tomatoes have softened.

Serve sprinkled with fresh basil.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Boston Baked Beans with Sausages

We recently spent some time camping with good friends of ours at Blue Pools, Briagolong State Forest.

While we were away though I did manage to capture some camp cooking.  I have to say cooking on on open fire in the middle of the bush is sometimes a challenge. The hardest thing was controlling the heat of the fire.. lol!!  So there was some improvising done.  Cooking on a stove top would have been a lot easier but probably not as much fun.

Saying this, cooking Boston Baked Beans with Sausages was interesting - but producing such a comforting meal made it all worthwhile.  I know the kids will want this again for breakfast when we return to civilisation.

Boston Baked Beans with Sausages

Serves: 8

ProPoints per serve: 5

cooking spray

600 grams extra lean beef chipolata sausages

2 brown onions, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 red capsicum, diced

1 tablespoon sweet paprika

1 tablespoon dried oregano

2 x 400 gram tins baked beans

2 x 400 gram tins diced tomatoes

salt

freshly ground black pepper

Spray a camp oven or heavy based saucepan with cooking spray.  Add sausages, onions and garlic and cook over a hot part of the fire (or high heat) until sausages are sealed and onions start to soften.  Add capsicum, paprika and oregano and cook for a further 2 minutes.

Stir in the beans and tomatoes.  Move to a cooler part of fire (or lower heat) and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Serve with toast if desired.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Prosciutto and Semi Dried Tomato Tortilla

I was a little hesitant with this one as I have never really cooked frittatas or the spanish equivalent tortillas before but saying this was very keen to give it a go. With just hubby and I at home this week I thought we could be a little adventurous anyhow.

With all my concern I have to say that this dish was very easy to make. I loved the texture of the potatoes amongst the omlette like texture and the prosciutto gave it a distinct taste compared to using bacon. This dish would be idea hot or cold for any meal of the day - breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Prosciutto and Semi Dried Tomato Tortilla

(recipe sourced from WW Eat & Enjoy Cookbook)

Serves: 4

ProPoints per serve: 9

3 small desiree potatoes, thickly sliced

1/3 cup semi-dried tomatoes (not in oil)

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives

100 grams fat trimmed prosciutto, chopped

1/4 teaspoon mexican chilli powder

3 eggs

1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves

1 tablespoon reduced fat cream

salt

freshly ground black pepper

cooking spray

Cook potato in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for 5 minutes or until just tender. Drain. Transfer to a medium bowl and add tomatoes, chives, prosciutto and chilli powder.  Mix well to combine.

Whisk eggs, oregano and cream in a jug.  Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Lightly spray a medium heavy based frying pan with cooking spary and heat over medium-high heat.  Add potato mixture and cook for 2 - 3 minutes.  Pour egg mixture over potato mixture, shaking gently to loosen mixture from base of pan.  Cook for 8 - 10 minutes or until the base is golden and set.

Meanwhile preheat grill on medium high.

Grill tortilla (in pan) for 5 - 6 minutes or until top is golden and set.  Cool for 5 minutes and cut into to wedges to serve.

(click here for a printable version of the recipe)

Spiced Beans with Eggs

Today I really wanted something totally different for breakfast and considering the time was approaching brunch, I knew I needed to eat something that would satisfy me for both breakfast and lunch. I did however fancy eggs but wasn't excited by egg and bacon, nor by poached or scrambled eggs although I did entertain the idea of an omelette for a minute or so.

I remembered a recipe that I had read somewhere, although I don't recall precisely where. The more I thought about it I knew that I had read many versions of this recipe it had just never appealed to me to cook it previously. It was eggs that were poached in a tomato bean style casserole base - a one pot wonder. Thinking more about this dish I decided to recreate it based on not only what I remembered but what flavours I fancied.

The result was very enjoyable and must admit filling. We all enjoyed this different style of dish even mam. The tomato bean style casserole I filled with vegetables had a hint of spice and actually complimented the softly poaced eggs.

A fine way to start the day, in my books anyway.

Spiced Beans with Eggs
Serves: 6
ProPoints per serve: 7
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 brown onion, finely diced
1/2 red capsicum, finely diced
1/2 green capsicum, finely diced
100 grams button mushrooms, quartered
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
440 gram tin diced tomatoes in juice
440 gram tin baked beans
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt
freshly ground black pepper
6 eggs
6 slice wholegrain/multigrain bread
1 spring onion, green section only, finely sliced

Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onions and capsicum, cook stirring for 3 - 4 minutes or until softened slightly. Add mushrooms and cook for a further 2 minutes. Mix through the paprika and garlic.

Add the tinned tomatoes and baked beans and cook for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Add oregano and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Using a large spoon make a well in the bean mixture and crack in one egg. Continue with remaining eggs. Cover and cook for 4 - 6 minutes or until eggs are cooked to your liking.

Meanwhile toast the bread.

When eggs are cooked, remove from heat and sprinkle with spring onion. Serve immediately with toast.


(click here for printable version of recipe)

Classic B.L.T (Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato) Sandwich

After a huge party night last night celebrating two of our friends 40th birthdays this morning called for something fresh, clean and tasty. While others had bacon and egg sandwiches I fancied a classic BLT especially as we had made the effort to go to the bakery and buy fresh bread.

This is such an easy sandwich to make and I am sure everyone has made one or at least eaten one... I thoroughly enjoyed mine this morning.

Classic B.L.T (Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato) Sandwich

Serves: 1

Points per serve: 5

3 rashers 97% fat free Short Cut Bacon

cooking spray

2 slices bread

1 tomato, sliced

2 lettuce leaves, roughly chopped

1 tablespoon reduced fat mayonnaise

salt

freshly ground pepper

Spray a non stick frying pan with cooking spray and cook bacon until slightly crispy (or to your liking).

On one slice of bread place bacon and top with sliced tomato.

Season with salt and pepper.

Drizzle with mayonnaise. Top with lettuce and place the second slice of bread on top to complete sandwich.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Ham Cheese and Tomato Omelette

Both Alex and I are sick today, she has a sinus infection and well as for me an accumulation of things relating to high blood pressure and high blood sugars combined with just feeling under the weather. Both of us went to see the doctor after dropping Oliver off at school so needless to say there was no breakfasts for either of us before we left.

I decided to make myself a nice healthy lunch, especially after the spray I got from my doctor about my blood pressure, sugar levels and then of course it all came down to my diet (or lack there of!). Like I was saying a healthy lunch (or I will say brunch) was on the menu, so we came straight home and I decided an omelette would fit the bill covering both breakfast and lunch, being low fat and of course yummy.

Of course you could share this omelette with someone and half the points but I was hungry and it has fit in nicely with my daily total.

Ham Cheese and Tomato Omelette

Serves: 1

Points per serve: 7

2 eggs

2 tablespoons skim milk

salt

freshly ground black pepper

cooking spray

50 grams lean ham, roughly chopped

1 tomato, diced

2 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

30 grams grated reduced fat tasty cheese

Preheat grill.

In a small bowl or jug beat the eggs and milk together. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Spray a small frying pan with cooking spray, add ham and tomatoes and cook for 2 - 3 minutes or until ham is slightly browned. Sprinkle with parsley. Pour in eggs ensuring to cover the base of the pan. Cook over a medium for a further 2 minutes or until eggs are starting to set.

Sprinkle with grated cheese and place under grill until melted and golden.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Whipped Eggs on Toast

I wanted this morning's breakfast to be a little nicer than just eggs on toast and had recently come accross a recipe for Whipped Eggs which as you can imagine intrigued me no end...

So what else could be on the menu for Valentine's Breakfast than these little wonders. I must say they were very easy to make and assemble. Somewhat like a meringue but with no sugar and topped with warmed Dijonnaise (instead of hollandaise which would be nice also) made for a savoury filling breakfast.

As each toast is quite low in points you could serve with some bacon or roasted tomatoes or sauteed mushrooms etc, but we had two each instead of 1!!

Whipped Egg on Toast

(recipe source Recipes+ Magazine January 2010)

Serves: 4

Points per serve: 2.5

4 eggs, at room temperature

pinch of salt

2 x 2cm thick sliced Italian or Sourdough bread, toasted

4 tablespoons Low Fat Dijonnaise or Caesar Dressing

1 tablespoon finely chopped chives or spring onions

Preheat oven to 170 degreese Celsius.

Line a baking tray with baking paper or foil and place toast on it.

Seperate eggs carefully, keeping yolks whole. Using an electric mixer, beat whites with a pinch of salt in a clean dry bowl until soft peaks form. Spoon into a puffy mound on the centre of each toast. Shape a hollow in the top. Slip a yolk into each hollow.

Bake for 5 minutes. Spoon 1 tablespoon dressing over each yolk. Bake for a further 5 minutes or until whites are just golden and yolks set to your liking. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chives.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Microwave Mushroom and Onion Omelette

I have been trying to vary my breakfast and lunches so I don't end up with the same day in and day out. It was then that I realised I don't really write about meals other than dinners with the exception of the occassional dish here and there normally when I am entertaining.... so time to start a new leaf with the blog content.

I have to admit that I am neither a cereal or a plain toast lover for breakfast and tend to have the same breakfast most mornings. Either baked beans or spaghetti on toast with the odd toasted sandwich here or there. Thankfully where I work I can cook all my meals should I choose which means that I don't have to eat something very early before I leave the house.

This morning I was fancying something different and remembered how much I liked having an omelette (although I couldn't really remember the last time I had one!). So ensuring I took enough ingredient with me to work I decided I would cook myself an omelette in the microwave for breakfast. Of course, it would be basic and not as fancy as a nice fluffy stove top omelette but I was looking forward to it.

To cook an omelette in the microwave you do require a microwave omelette maker or a large shallow dish, either works well but I just happened to have an omelette maker at work.

I am glad I made the decision to have something different for breakfast as it was brilliant. I enjoyed every mouthful and it was very filling.

Microwave Mushroom and Onion Omelette

Serves: 1

Points per serve: 3.5

cooking spray

4 - 5 button mushrooms, sliced

1 spring onion, sliced

2 eggs

2 tablespoons skim milk

salt

pepper

Spray omelette maker or dish with cooking spray. Add mushrooms and onions. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes in the microwave on high or until mushrooms have softened.

Beat together the eggs and skim milk, season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture evenly over the mushrooms (if using an omelette maker split between both sides). Cook on high for 3 - 4 minutes or until egg is set. Allow to stand for 1 minute.

Remove from omelette maker or dish and serve.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Lemonade Pancakes

A favourite at our house for breakfast is Lemonade Pancakes. An easy recipe to whip up to feed the hungry hoards first thing in the morning - so easy that my kids actually mix it up themselves.

.

Lemonade Pancakes

Serves: 8

ProPoints per serve: 4

Old Points per serve: 2

(not including toppings)

2 cups plain flour

2 eggs

lemonade (we use Diet Lemonade)

cooking spray

.

Sift flour into a large bowl or jug. Make a well in the centre and crack both eggs into the flour. Mix with a whisk gently drawing flour in from the sides.

When mixture begins to become a ball add lemonade a little at a time, stirring constantly. Continue to add enough lemonade to make a thick yet runny batter.

Heat a large non-stick frying pan and spray with cooking oil. Pour a small amount of mixture into the pan, swirl to ensure mixture is even across the bottom of the pan (size of the pancakes is up to the individual). When small bubbles form in the top of the mixture flip over to cook the other side. When the second side is cooked remove to a plate and keep warm. Continue with remainder of mixture.

Toppings for pancakes are endless... lemon, caster sugar, butter, strawberry jam, honey, nutella, golden syrup and of course we cannot forget the maple syrup!