I love me a biiiiig breakfast sammy
Happy Friday, guys! I am writing to you from (yet again) ANOTHER delayed train. Seriously don't understand why these subways and MTA can't get their act together. Another day with extreme delays and train congestion. Erghhhhh!
Since this LONG weekend is upon us, I wanted to share a dish I've recently thrown together on a morning when I NEEDED a big 'ol breakfast sandwich. As a vegan (and if you are reading this and can relate), the struggle is real when it comes to the little options of breakfast foods we have, and how we are so limited. Unless you cook for yourself, you will have a hard time finding a decent, nutritional, and filling breakfast combo when you're out to eat with a group of friends. Especially a breakfast sandwich. Something that came so easily to me my whole life. Until the veggie days came, and my options for a breakfast sandwich became non existent.
OK, so if you are from Long Island, you KNOW how we do a mean bacon, egg & cheese on a roll. Any bagel store you go into knows how to whip one up properly, and your day is made with one bite of these bad boys. When I was younger, I'd wake up on Saturday mornings to the smell on a Bacon, egg & cheese. By the time we'd get outta bed, my mom had already gone to the bagel store, and picked up one each for breakfast. Ughhh I can still taste it. (droooool)
But some years back when, I stopped eating bacon. So no biggie- my mom would get me an egg and cheese with ketchup. Still so yummy and gooey. Ok.. Fast forward a few years later, when I gave up cheese because I was almost certain I was lactose intolerant. Egg, tomato, and ketchup it was! NOW, no more egg for me, so a tomato on a roll doesn't sound the most appetizing.. Amirite?
That's when I was thinking the other day-- why don't I just make my own combo of what I can actually eat? And ya want to know what I discovered recently? Tofu scramble. From my favorite blog Hot For Food. Game changer, for real. The look, taste, and texture is so close to a scramble egg, and it's just so yummy! Threw it on a roll with my favorite breakfast sides and voila- here you have it! It does take some time to prepare, but if you're having a chilled out morning of cleaning and errands, and want to just take your time while doing both, make one of these. Make each side in between cleaning the floors or dusting (don't forget to keep your hands washed!). It will come together so nicely, and dont forget a generous slather of hot sauce. If only I can come up with a cheddar or American cheese recipe next. Hmmmm ;)
Hope you'll enjoy and have a safe 4th of July weekend! Xx Sam
I N G R E D I E N T S:
- Batch of my Breakfast Potatoes
- Homemade Shiitake Bacon!
- Rolls, to serve
TOFU SCRAMBLE - 1 block of extra firm tofu, drained and patted dry
- 1 tsp of coconut or olive oil
- 2 Tbs of nutritional yeast flakes
- 1/2 tsp of turmeric
- 1/2 tsp of paprika
- 1/4 tsp of Sea salt
- 1/4 cup of Almond milk
- Fresh cracked pepper to taste!
- Half a red onion, diced (optional)
- Handful of fresh spinach/kale (optional)
- Any additional veggies to toss in!
PREP: I think it's best to pop the shiitake bacon mushrooms right into the oven to start. While thats going, start your potatoes. These are the two things that take that longest! While both of those are going, you can set your spices aside and dice up whatever veggies you want in your scramble.
TOFU SCRAMBLE!: Start this once your potatoes are either about done, or completelty finished (I usually wait for them to be done, pour them into a dish, and use the same pan so I don't have to wash two). Add the oil and heat over medium. Once hot, throw in the onion (+ whatever other veggies you want), and cook for just a couple of minutes to soften a bit. Now, crumble in your tofu! Cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat through and get oiled up. Next, add in the spices- nutritional yeast, turmeric, paprika + salt. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and it's slightly browning. Then, pour in the almond milk, give it a good mix, and toss in your spinach. Cook for another few minutes until fluffy and yummy. Adjust to taste with salt + pepper.
ASSEMBLE: Get those fresh rolls out, and top with potatoes, eggs & shiitake bacon. Slather some hot sauce and ketchup... and DEVOUR!