Baked Eggs Florentine

It seems like we don't eat a whole lot of breakfast these days, which is a total shame because I miss our Sunday morning bacon. But by the time I get home after a night of work I'm usually in the mood for something small and sweet, and lately we've taken to sleeping in 'til 11 on my days off which is, of course, lunch time. But my sister is staying with us this week, and she is a total morning person. Like an up-at-7-am every. single. day. morning person. So even though it's been a tough adjustment, I've taken the opportunity to get back into my breakfast-making routine and to try some new things that have been on my to-make list for a while.

Baked eggs is a concept that I've seen floating around the net for a while, but have never tried until now. And now that I've tried it I have to ask... why did I wait so long? For one, it's pretty simple to throw together. It's basically a deconstructed omelette... put your other ingredients in the ramekin, crack an egg on top, and bake. And the result is outstanding! The consistency of the egg is heavenly... you get the runny yolk of a fried egg with the light, creamy white of its poached brethren. I could eat the baked egg all by itself and be happy! But the addition of smokey Canadian bacon, pungent, wilted spinach, and flavorful sharp cheddar truly take the whole experience over the top. Serve with a piece of buttered toast and a cup of hot coffee and you've got yourself the perfect morning meal.

Megan and I loved these, and I'm sure you will too! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Fall's Best Hot Ham & Cheese

So here they are... the first food photos to come from my new camera! What do you guys think? So far I'm pretty impressed with the quality of photos my new baby takes, but I'm still playing around with editing.

Lucky for me I had great subject material for my first shoot, because these sandwiches look almost as good as they taste. These guys bring together the best of fall's fresh flavors, in a way that allows each ingredient to shine... no element is overpowering, but each is complementary. I started with a succulent honey ham - this week's late night cook-ahead - and sliced it thick to make these sandwiches good and hearty. Then I layered on crisp, sour green apple, sharp cheddar, and a light slathering of Dijon mustard for extra flavor. Talk about delicious! Served alongside a few potato chips and a sour pickle spear, these were a fantastic meal that satisfied without weighing down. These were such a huge hit, and so easy that I'll definitely be making them all through apple season!