Weeknights Were Made for Breakfast for Dinner
It’s the most important meal of the day, so why not enjoy it twice?
I blame New Jersey for my love of breakfast. I mean, the place is filled with breakfast foods and, growing up in the truly underappreciated state, I was subjected to an endless supply of bagels and lox from a very young age. But it wasn’t just bagels. It was Taylor Ham, Egg and Cheeses on a roll (with salt, pepper, ketchup, of course). It was stacks of chocolate chip pancakes at diners with faux leather booths that stuck to your legs. It was dense, buttery crumb cakes down the shore that helped to shape my ideal bikini body (*checks food baby out in mirror* *throws double finger guns at reflection and winks*). Breakfast was, and still very much is, an inescapable element of living in New Jersey. And I will always be here for it.
Although I no longer live in the great state that gave us both Wawa and Bruce Springsteen, I still find comfort in breakfast foods. On an ideal day, it’s me, wearing my oversized lion t-shirt I bought at the Cincinnati Zoo (you can buy it at Walmart). I’m sitting on a throne of lumpy throw pillows, with a soft Jack Johnson song playing over the television (it’s probably Good People, but there’s also a good chance it’s Banana Pancakes because, breakfast). As I forklift scrambled eggs into my mouth, I get a feeling that only comes around when I eat breakfast and, in this moment, proves difficult to articulate (perhaps because of the eggs?). It’s kind of like that feeling you get when your best friend gives you a big bear hug when you need it most— comforting, warm, safe and, simply put, lovely.
Now, I ask you, if breakfast exists in blissful moments like these and has the potential to evoke such fundamental human emotions, why are we only eating it in the AM (or the early PM if you’re like me)? That’s where breakfast for dinner comes in. The good ole B-for-D. Brinner, if you will.
Now I’m not saying you should eat breakfast for dinner like, I don’t know, every night... but I am heavily suggesting it. But do whatever feels right to you because, no matter how many nights you choose to embark on the exciting breakfast-for-dinner escapade, you’re in good hands with us here at Food Network. We have plenty of recipes to help you fill your menu, so be sure to peruse the following list. And, may I suggest the Bagel Breakfast Casserole? It’s important to pay homage to your New Jersey brethren.
Renee Comet
Nacho average breakfast for dinner! Loaded with cheese, bacon and, well, more cheese, these Breakfast Nachos fit any mood. Outdoor movie night with the neighbors? Check. The kids’ sleepover party? Check. Evening drinks out on the deck? Check.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
I’m no psychic, but acai your future and it’s full of these power packed Acai Breakfast Bowls. Go ahead and picture it, too: hot day, cold acai bowl, you wearing those cool sunglasses you were kind of unsure about. It’s the sight of a perfect summer afternoon! And, don’t worry, you’re definitely pulling the sunglasses off.
Still not convinced by this whole breakfast for dinner thing? Do not be dismayed! These Breakfast Fajitas are the perfect way to combine your love of typical dinner food with the joy of breakfast. Packed full of an array of veggies and scrambled egg whites, you’ll forget fajitas were ever meant for anything other than a breakfast-dinner combo.
Steve Giralt
Thinking of having breakfast for dinner on Friday night, but struggling to reconcile giving up your precious Friday pizza party? Look no further than this Breakfast Pizza. It pulls out all the stops, with hash browns, bacon, mozzarella cheese and plenty of chili peppers. Sounds like the ideal Friday (breakfast) pizza party to me!
Breakfast sandwiches are all the rage nowadays. Whether it’s the crazy concoctions of Tompkins Square Bagels, or the classics of Black Seed Bagels, everyone is doing the early morning sandwich. Jump on the bandwagon and try your own, starting with this Healthy Breakfast Sandwich.
Armando Rafael
I have a list of favorite foods (because how can you pick just one!?) and potatoes have sat at the top for several years now. They may seem like an odd choice for a favorite, but what can I say! They’re versatile, adapting to any context and, quite simply, delicious in whatever form they take. Mashed? Pass the gravy boat! French fried? Load up my plate! Baked like these Best Breakfast Potatoes Ever? Get me a fork, stat!
Tara Donne
Breakfast for dinner is all about convenience. The last thing you want to do when making breakfast is make a mess (no one wants to spend their whole day doing dishes!), and the same mentality applies to breakfast for dinner. This Veggie-Packed Breakfast Frittata is a one-pan wonder, making serving and clean up smooth and effortless.
Dropped my croissant right into this Prosciutto and Provolone Croissant Bread Pudding! This rich dish is peppered with ribbons of prosciutto, entangled by a creamy mix of provolone and egg. To balance these richer elements, pair the dish with a light side salad, dressed in an acidic vinaigrette. The vinegar from the dressing will perforate the heavier flavors of the pudding, cutting the beautiful richness for a moment of clarity.
The cool thing about breakfast is that it’s an excuse to eat dessert but call it a real meal. Pancakes? French Toast? Case in point. The cool thing about breakfast for dinner is that it’s also an excuse to eat dessert while referring to it as a real meal! The next time you’re looking to sate your sweet tooth, choose breakfast for dinner and take these Crunchy French Toast Sticks for a spin.
Related Content
