Okay, so perhaps we could have been better with our timing; Valentine's, after all, was yesterday. But if your dinner date or bouquet of roses just didn't go over so well, then it may be time to turn your attention away from such staid romantic concepts and focus on the merits of breakfast vis à vis your love life.
As we know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day for retaining your smarts and your figure. It's also a crucial meal when it comes to nourishing the heart--something our moms must have known, since they fed us breakfast, and we love them. Breakfast is nostalgic, delicious, and sustaining, and we've cooked up some of our best dishes before noon.
Our best recommendations are below, but how will you know if you succeed? We think the proof is in those three precious words spoken through a mouthful of pancakes.
--Cara Eisenpress and Phoebe Lapine of Big Girls, Small Kitchen
**Tips and Tricks**
Make Pancakes. Whether you go for Yogurt-Pomegranate, Pumpkin, plain, or Potato, pancake flipping is a surefire way to win hearts. Condiments can up the ante even more. Serve sweet pancakes with Honey-Nutmeg Butter, real maple syrup, and powdered sugar. For potato pancakes, top with sour cream and apple sauce.
Fry French Toast. While some people are surely pancakophiles, others err on the side of french toast. That works if you're cooking, since French toast is simple to prep and cook--just make sure you have plenty of maple syrup on hand. Our version is soaked in buttermilk and crusted with cornmeal, which gives it a southern-homey flavor and an enticing crunch.
Go Potatoes. Potato people are people with soul. Make a side of Sweet Potato Fries or Parmesan-Roasted Potatoes. Get your dose of veggies with Spinach Hash Browns or patriotic Red Flannel Hash, or serve potatoes as your main event in this delightful summer Bluefish Hash and these smile-inducing Hash Brown One Eyes.
Scramble and Fry. Once you master the art forms of slow-cooked scrambled eggs and olive-oil fried eggs, the world of breakfast is your oyster. Scrambled eggs are perfect for crowds, in English muffin sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and quesadillas. Fried eggs can top hash browns of all ilk, fill breakfast sandwiches, and become the star of Piperade Pizzas.
Just Add Bacon. This one is easy. Fry up a couple slices of bacon if you're feeding two; bake them off if you need whole rooms of people to be in love with you. Add to egg sandwiches, use to accompany French toast, or just eat plain.
The Scent of A Loaf. When you wake someone up with the cozy smell of homey bread, you don't leave them much of a choice about whether they'll love you forever. No-Knead Bread is especially noteworthy, since it rises without your attention, so you can, um, sleep. You can also make this Walnut-Raisin version. Set out butter, jelly, almond or peanut butter, and good cheese to accompany the loaf.
Melt Chocolate. Gooey chocolate converts people to your side without even trying. Plus, we hear it's an aphrodisiac. Many breakfast recipes are enhanced by a handful of chocolate chips--the sweet ones, of course. Add chocolate to banana bread, most any muffins, and of course pancakes. Place Nutella beside the butter and jam if you're having toast of any kind.