Sunday, September 14, 2008

Trifles Make Perfection ... Breakfasts!


Um, actually the quote is from the famous Michelangelo and is supposed to read, "Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle." I guess I'm just trifling with him. 'Tis no small trifle, though, to mess around with the mighty Michelangelo. Ok, Ok, I'll stop now.

This breakfast was no teasing matter! I've had a long week with a schedule chock full of kids and school related activities. My girls are back at their school in grades 4 and 7, and my son is homeschooling with me for grade 7. It's BUSY around here ... not insane, just constantly full. Coupled with that is that I literally drop into bed each night, and welcome the coma state I can enjoy until the alarm goes off, and the cycle begins anew.

So, when my eyes greeted the dawn this morning, I thought that I was due a little pampering, even though it meant providing it for myself. So, before I started the infinite pile of laundry, cleaning up the garden, and straightening up all the household clutter, I thought I'd treat myself to a fun breakfast.

Not too long ago, while doing some inane chore, I was half listening to a cooking show (I think it was called "Down Home with the Neely's), and they prepared a savory breakfast trifle. What caught my attention about this trifle was that it contained regular breakfast ingredients, but presented them in a pretty dish. I remember thinking to myself how clever that was, and that it would be a fun thing to serve at a brunch or special breakfast. Well, today I wanted a special breakfast, so a "trifling" I went.

I didn't have the instructions or ingredient list from the show, but I remembered enough that I was able to put this together really quickly. The layers, starting at the bottom are: 1) cheesy grits, 2) crumbled crisp bacon, 3) creamed eggs, 4) finely shredded cheddar cheese, 5) chopped seasoned fresh tomatoes, and 6) chopped green onions and chives. My hubbyman, who won't eat grits due to the NAME (eye roll), saw this and immediately asked where his was. I felt a moments guilt telling him there wasn't one for him, but my guilt soon passed when I remembered he had a cinnamon roll waiting for him.

Here's what you need:
1 serving of cheesy grits (I make mine in the microwave according to the package directions. Be sure NOT to put a lid on it ... trust me, cement does not have as firm a grip as boiled over grits.) Do you like grits? I LOVE grits. My dad was a southern boy, plus grits are cousins to polenta, so there you have it.

2 slices of bacon cooked crispy. You could substitute your favorite breakfast meat here ... sausage, ham, etc.

2 eggs - scrambled creamy style. I added 3/4 teaspoon cream cheese to my eggs and scrambled them on low heat. YUM.

1/4 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese. You could use your favorite cheese here.

1 roma tomato - any chopped fresh tomato will work. I seasoned mine with some Lawrey's garlic salt and pepper. Hmmm ... salsa would probably work, too.

1 green onion sliced, including both white and green parts
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh chives

In a trifle dish, or other glass serving dish, layer the ingredients as outlined above. The glass will be hot, so the cheese will melt just perfectly. Serve with some fruit and fresh orange juice. Just look at those layers. What do you think? I think YUM!

Do you eat breakfast? I try to everyday; however, my breakfasts typically are not huge. I know that eating a good breakfast is no trifle thing. This breakfast trifle was a BIG breakfast, and I really enjoyed all the flavors. Having the ingredients layered provided bursts of flavor in every bite, as compared with just eating them on a plate. I'm already contemplating my next savory trifle ... perhaps with hashbrowns as the base. YUM! Oh, one more thing, this is gluten-free, all the way baby!

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is an awesome recipe, WOW! I always put cream cheese in my eggs too! This is a fabulous thing to put out on the brunch buffet! Thank you!

vanillasugarblog said...

That is absolutely stunning. What a perfect idea for guests. I love this! Brillant!

MrOrph said...

A really nice breakfast! Easy enough to put together as well.

Jennifer said...

Holy COW, I have never heard of such a thing, but that looks amazing, I must try it! Martha's little friend is our neighbors Corgy, they love each other!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Cheesy grits are on my list of things to try. This is a beautiful thing to wake up to in the morning:D

Anonymous said...

It not only looks delicious but is pleasing to the eye too. Great dish, thanks for sharing. The hashbrown layer sounds yummy too. ;)

Aggie said...

Wow what a breakfast! That looks great! I wish that was waiting for me tomorrow morning!

Marjie said...

I am jealous of your trifle bowl! This is really a pretty breakfast. For us, breakfast is "after a while". Translation: kids, make waffles, or have oatmeal on weekdays. Mom will cook later!

Christo Gonzales said...

its all gouda....damn I had to stop in, gouda cheese introduced me to cheese when I was a kid...now on to the trifle...great idea.

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Very creative! This would be perfect to serve at a brunch buffet.

Maria Verivaki said...

what a creation to get you started in the day, delicious

grace said...

i saw that episode and thought at the time that it was an incredible idea. your choice of ingredients and execution are spectular--perfection, indeed! :)

Pam said...

Paula can I come to your house for breakfast? Please? I love the idea of a breakfast trifle. Busy moms totally deserve a nice breakfast now and then (even if we do have to make it ourselves).

Proud Italian Cook said...

I must try cheesy grits! I already know I would love em, cause I adore polenta. You pampered yourself here Paula with this beautiful breakfast. I love the layered look too! I just had a sad whole grain, high fiber english muffin and a cup of coffee for breakfast. Boring!!!!

Deborah said...

How fun is that! Now that's a way to pamper yourself!

Esi said...

I totally saw that recipe too and thought I should try it sometime. I don't like the Neely's much, but the recipe looks great! I want a trifle bowl now :)

Lo said...

This is awfully clever.
And I'm going to agree... I've not made cheezy grits, but I think I'm going to have to work on that!

La Bella Cooks said...

Wow, Paula. That is truly a pampering breakfast. No, I never eat breakfast, mainly because I am never hungry in the mornings. Coffee or tea is enough for me. You are a busy lady with not only being a mom, but also teaching your kids. My hat is off to you, smart lady.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! Love the pictures.

Linda said...

That looks like one for when company comes, it might make me appear to have some cooking skills. You should do a cookbook, I'd be first in line to buy it.

Jan said...

That looks sensational, Paula. I have eaten loads of trifles in my time, but would never have thought of making one from breakfast ingredients.

I'm afraid I'm really bad about breakfasts, I just don't eat them, maybe that might change. ;-)

Aggie said...

Hi Paula! Stop by my blog when you get a chance...there is an award waiting for you! : )

Jan said...

Mmmm WOW! That looks so good! I love the idea of the layers.

Gloria Baker said...

I think is really,really yummy, so tasty! and look beauty!!! xGloria

Anonymous said...

What a great idea. I love that this is so simple but such a great presentation.

Veronica said...

What an incredible idea..I'm not sure that I would be able to portion control myself with that.

Jason said...

Oh yum! I never thought of a breakfast trifle, this would be so fun to do at brunch.

Lisa said...

Oh fun! And sooo pretty. I am always looking for new ways to approach breakfast and who could resist this?

avesta said...

This sounds kinda weird but I can't wait to try it because I know it's going to be oh so good! What a great idea for brunch party!