this is another “food i miss from michigan” post.  mcdonald’s breakfast down here excludes sausage, egg and cheese bagels on its menu.  the only good reason to have mcdonald’s breakfast is to splurge, and i think the bagel is the best way to do it.

this recipe may be slightly healthier than mcdonald’s.  i can tell you that it is pretty darn delicious and is available after 10:30 a.m. .

this recipe prepares two bagels.  you can adjust the recipe accordingly.

• 2 thomas bagel thins, toasted
• 2 slices of co-jack cheese, melted on bagels in toaster oven
• 6 oz. breakfast sausage (half a tube), quartered and formed into very thin patties, slightly larger than the bagel.
• 3 eggs
• salt and pepper to taste

1. cook the breakfast sausage patties until brown all of the way through. place on a paper-towel lined dish.
2. place bagels into the toaster oven, with cheese on one half.
3. whisk together eggs, salt and pepper.  place in medium sized frying pan and cook as if you are cooking an omelette, minus the filling and folding in half.
4. using spatula, cut the “omelette” in half. remove pan from heat.
5. place patty on bottom half of bagel, top with egg, folded into thirds and top bun.

enjoy!

as i have said before breakfast is our favorite meal of the day.  breakfast was served at our late morning wedding reception and i could go on and on about how much we LOVE breakfast.  but i won’t.  i’ll just share another shoemaker-approved breakfast dish.

Adapted from SmittenKitten

• 1 pizza crust (however you prefer to make it)*
• 1/4-1/2 lb. ground breakfast sausage
• 1/4 c grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
• 1 c grated mozzarella
• 3 eggs
• salt and pepper to taste
• green onion
• parsley flakes

* i picked up an awesome pre-made dough from publix that was just waiting to be kneaded and topped.

1. pull dough out of the fridge 1-2 hours before you want to start making pizza.
2. pre-heat oven to 500°.
3. brown sausage in a pan.  place on a paper towel lined dish to drain of excess grease.
4. knead out dough.  make sure the bottom of the crust is floured well.
5. t0p with parmigiano reggiano, mozzarella and sausage.
6. crack the three eggs over the top of the pizza and top with salt and pepper.
7. bake for 8-10 min. or until eggs are cooked to your liking.
8. remove from oven, top with green onion and parsley flakes.

enjoy!

lasagne is one of my signature dishes, i don’t think that i’ve made it the same way twice.  it has changed and evolved over time, depending on how much prep time i have, what i’ve got in the kitchen and how many people i’m cooking for.  i like to make lasagne split up between two ez-foil pans.  i like the long loaf pans because they accommodate lasagne noodles so well and i can freeze one for later.   they’re also very easy to clean up!  you can find these pans at larger grocery stores, such as meijer’s and wal-mart.

• 2 boxes lasagne noodles
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 lb. italian sausage, removed from casings
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• italian seasoning
• salt and pepper, as desired
• 2 jars spaghetti sauce, your choice of flavor, brand
• 1 qt. tomato juice
• 16 oz. ricotta cheese
• 12 oz. cottage cheese
• 6 oz. cream cheese
• 4 c mozzarella cheese, separated in half
• garlic powder
• grated parmesan cheese to top

1. in a large pan, brown beef and sausage with minced garlic and onion.  season with italian seasoning, salt and pepper.  drain off excess oil.
2. in a large bowl, mix together the ricotta, cottage, cream and 2 c of mozzarella cheeses.  season lightly with garlic powder.
3. in another large bowl, combine tomato sauce and juice.
4. now it’s time to assemble!  divide meat in half, with the amounts listed, you will make a 7 layer lasagne.  start layering with meat and 3/4 c of sauce.  evenly spread the sauce with a spatula or spoon.  place two uncooked lasagne noodles between each mixture. spread a layer of the cheese mixture over the noodles and top with two additional noodles.  repeat until you reach the top of the pans or end on a meat/sauce layer.
5. the second pan can be frozen, top with a layer of saran wrap and aluminum foil.  it takes about 12 hours to unthaw, when you’re ready to bake it.
6. bake at 375° for 30 min.  top with remaining mozzarella cheese and bake for an additional 15 min. until bubbly and browned on top.  serve with freshly grated parmesan on top.

enjoy!