After our big night out, it was hard waking up this morning, and I didn’t get a real start to the day until about 10am. I sat down with my coffee and started going through my magazines from the week. As soon as I saw this recipe in the beginning of this month’s Food & Wine, I stopped, defrosted some chorizo we had in the freezer and began boiling the potatoes. I had bought some eggs from Flying Pigs Farm last week and was anxious to make a dish worthy of them. And here it is. I halved the recipe, and only used 3 eggs on top. I sliced up some of a free baguette we got last night from Amy’s Breads, it still tasted great. This would also be great with chicken sausage, or any sausage you have on hand. The recipe is great for a large group if you’re having guests stay or a big brunch. A great hangover meal as well!

So, I don’t want to make this site about restaurants or travel, but I’m going to interject this sort of thing occasionally, and for noteworthy places. I was in Honolulu for a week, and my palate suffered greatly. It kind of reminded me of being a student in Scotland, and only having fried greasy foods to choose from if I wanted to eat out. And eat out we did - every night, and most lunches. Of course I had some wonderful fresh fruit and coffee (Kona) but after breakfast my stomach did flip flops and I did not really look forward to eating other than eating with good company. So if I wasn’t going home to my kitchen, San Francisco was the next best thing. Johnathan is here for a business trip and I get to do more exploring. When I arrived late into the Bay Area we popped into Jack in the Box. This was my first try of the West Coast fast food chain. It wasn’t horrible, but after airport and Hawaii food, I was topped. So the next morning I went to our favorite breakfast place - probably ever, including New York. Dottie’s is on Jones and O’Farrell Streets, right behind our hotel we always stay at. There’s always a line, but we figured out if we get there about 15 minutes before they open we can get in the first seating and get out in time for Johnathan to walk to work off of Market Street. I wandered over by myself, and waited for about 30 minutes for a single counter seat near the door. The food is so good, I was not deterred by my undesirable seat. While I waited in the 60 degree breezy morning, reading the New York Times like any diligent New Yorker I listened with one ear to a couple of waitresses waiting in front of me chatting. I picked up some new hot spots and listened to the drama that always ensues in the service industry. It took me a while to get through the latest Palin article in the election section, but it makes the time go by. The picture above is what I ordered - Black bean cakes with eggs over medium, grilled cornbread and home fries. Just the rescue my palate needed. And the coffee is great. If you get to this gem, the menu is pretty typical, still yummy, but the greatness lies in the specials on the white board in the back. They also make all their own bread and baked goods. Today, I made my way to the famous Ferry Terminal for the Farmer’s Market. This is where I get choked up about traveling and not having a kitchen. Colorful, abundant, mostly organic produce calling my name! So I settled for the Ferry Terminal cookbook - slightly disappointed. The purveyors inside the terminal are just as exciting as the tents outside. No matter how many times I go here, I’m always excited, and my senses go into overload. I also have the problem of toting heavy goodies home to New York. I’ll admit I did get a bottle of California Olive Oil that was creamy and nutty, and great for dipping bread. There’s also a great selection of restaurants, and great views of the bay. This week, I have another Farmer’s Market at City Hall, and on Thursday it’s up to Marin County - a guaranteed gold mine. Stay tuned….

Sydney Opera House from the ferry

I was supposed to make the pesto pizza yesterday, and have it posted this morning, but I ended up going out to celebrate a friend’s birthday. I have the dough sitting in the fridge, and I’ll make it today, and post it tomorrow, I promise. Meanwhile I’ve been thinking about what to eat next week, as well as what I’d like to learn to cook better. As I said earlier in the week, I’ve been craving breakfast and eggs (maybe after seeing Michael Phelps eat a 5,000 calorie breakfast), so I thought I’d do a week of breakfast for dinner, and work on my egg skills. As I was flipping through cookbooks, I realized there are not a lot of breakfast recipes (if any) to be found in books by Giada, and Jamie Oliver. Everyone is very focused on dinner recipes and sandwiches. I have one breakfast specific book to work from, as well as one from the famous Bill’s of Sydney I visited, which has the best breakfast in town. So this week also requires some creativity. Brunches and egg breakfasts aren’t always the most healthful - think hollandaise, creamy eggs, and lots of melty cheese. So I want to also try to add lots of veggies and seasonal fruit to these sometimes decadent meals. Don’t worry though, there will still be an eggs benedict night, mmmmm….. I also think this could be a way to get the budget down even more, and support the local farmer’s market more than the past couple weeks. Here’s the line up:

Monday - Sweetcorn Fritters with Roast Tomato and Bacon - Bill’s Sydney

Tuesday - Huevos Rancheros - Jess B Recipe (native New Mexican transplanted to Brooklyn)

Wednesday - Eggs Benedict with Prosciutto

Thursday - Kedgeree with Tea-Smoked Salmon (a classic Anglo-Indian breakfast dish)

Friday - Roast Mushrooms with Thyme and Taleggio - Bill’s Sydney