Empty Cupboard Meal: The Breakfast Burger

Around 7:00 p.m. everyday I arrive back at my apartment and do the same routine: check the mail, switch footwear from chefs clogs to slippers, navigate my way to the kitchen and figure out a dinner plan. 

The issue with this -- we've been making some cutbacks lately (by lately I mean forever) and regularly going food shopping is a task we do not take part in as often as we would like to. Other things we have cut back on include our lack of cable and internet which leaves for a pretty boring household when you're all alone. And when I'm bored, I like to cook. 

I think the look of an empty fridge turns people away from cooking altogether. I realize all that white space drains motivation but if we look past it , sometimes there are enough resources in this "empty kitchen" to still make a great meal. 

My latest hobby: searching my fridge, freezer and cupboard to find some hidden gems. 

Alas, The Breakfast Burger

What I found

In the fridge: eggs, onions, turkey bacon, butter

In the freezer: burger slider patties

In the cupboard: light brown sugar, rolls, maple syrup, pepper

I caramelized the onions in light brown sugar and butter. Turned the bacon into maple pepper bacon by brushing each side with maple syrup every 5 minutes of oven baking and seasoning with pepper. Thought the only way to make this breakfast themed burger complete was to have some scrambled eggs on top.

Together, it created a strange yet exciting mix of sweet, salty, buttery and ... meaty.

And no complaints, just empty plates. 

Greatest Things Since Sliced Bread

"The greatest thing since sliced bread"

I've heard it a million times before and can't help but agree. Sliced bread is a pretty damn great idea. But since its debut in the 1920s, I think there are a couple other inventions in the food industry that deserve some praise of their own.

The Spork

           I would be lying if I said I haven't spent a significant amount of time in line at a barbecue debating whether to grab a fork or spoon to enjoy my fruit salad. I need something with teeth to grab those watermelon and pineapple pieces, but the grapes are nearly impossible to stab without sending your entire plate flying. Alas, the spork was invented, and that time we wasted over the grueling task of utensil choosing can now be spent going up for seconds.

Stacker Marshmallows

           As my favorite purple dinosaur used to say "there called s'mores because once you start eating them you always want some more!"You don't have to be a hardcore camper to enjoy a good s'more. And as I was walking down the isle in the grocery store recently, I came across an invention I think is pure genius. Everything related to the s'more is square -- square graham cracker, square Hershey's chocolate bar -- and now thanks to stacker marshmallows, the best part of the s'more is square too. All we have to worry about is not catching the marshmallow on fire and flinging it into the woods (because I have in fact done that before.)

Squeezable Peanut Butter & Jelly

           Peanut Butter & Jelly with a tall glass of milk is one of the simplest and most delicious sandwiches there is. Only issue --  it's also one of the messiest. No knife ever made could properly navigate its way inside a jelly or peanut butter jar without major messy wrists or a lot of waste at the bottom of the jar. This problem is now solved with the invention of squeezable jellies and peanut butter.  The movement started with ketchup, mayo, mustard and some of our other favorite condiments converting from glass jars to the easier squeezable option, and I would like to give a big squeeze and thank you to whoever started this trend.

And last but definitely not least ...

Koozies

           They make them for your beer can, beer bottle, wine bottle, hot coffee, iced coffee -- I've seen them with a glove attachment so you never drop it, on a necklace so your drink can hang free. Do you like a sports team or band? There's a koozie for that. Need a clever giveaway at your wedding, shower or bach party? How about some koozies? Everyone will use them for one beverage or another. Designers like Lilly Pulitzer and Vera Bradley are selling koozies.  The best part about koozies is there simple purpose -- to assure your beverage stays at its optimal temperature longer and prevent condensation from touching your hand. 

           The point of this post -- to remember the thing we got right over the years and how great these food inventions are next time you're enjoying an icy cold koozie'd beverage with your side of stacked s'mores and squeezed PB&J on sliced bread.