Mmm Breakfast!

So, I was out of potatoes.  Why was this important?  Hashbrowns.  The good news was I had some frozen fries left over from before I went completely fresh.  I know it's not ideal, but it had to do.  >.<  Spinach and Mushroom Omelette, toast, and some Morningstar Veggie-Sausage.

There are tons of new meat substitutes out there.  They're usually made out of vegetable proteins, soy, eggs, and cheese.  There are Vegan ones which are made from legumes and vegetables.  Soon, I've decided to make some from scratch.  When I do, I'll post the recipe.  My roommate has a great book with some vegetarian recipes to make a foundation from.

Some brands you may want to try:

• Morningstar Farms - http://www.morningstarfarms.com/ I love their Veggie Chik'in.  Half the time I wonder if it's actually a conspiracy.  We'll tell them it's vegetarian, but it's really chicken.  o.O  It's that good.  They also carry meatless patties, meatless sausages, veggie bacon, and a variety of frozen food dinners.  Another thing, which I enjoy, is the "crumbles."  This is like a ground beef substitute which you can use for tacos, soups, pastas.  If you like Hamburger Helper, try subbing this soy based crumble in your mix.  It's not the same as ground beef, but it's not bad!  

• Boca Foods - http://www.bocaburger.com/  I like Boca for burgers.  They have a good variety of different tasting ones.  The great thing about Boca is how wide spread they are in the nation.  You can go to a Dennys and substitute out any hamburger for a boca patty.  I love getting them with some mushrooms and swiss cheese. Fantastic!  You can even cook them up and chop them up for any meatless veggie sauces.  Like when you're making Spaghetti and you want that meatsauce feel without the meat!

• Garden Burger - http://www.gardenburger.com/Burgers.aspx
• Cedar Lane Foods - http://www.cedarlanefoods.com/Dr.SearsZone/index.htm 

Spinach Mushroom Omelet

What you need:

• 2 eggs (optional 3 eggs whites or egg beaters measuring out to 2 eggs)
• 1 cup raw spinach
• 1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1 clove garlic chopped finely
• 1 chopped green onion
• salt and pepper
• frying pan
• saute pan
• spray canola oil
• 1/3 cup cheese shredded.

Saute spinach, mushrooms, garlic, onion lightly in your small saute pan.  Season with pepper and salt.  You want to keep the spinach very lightly cooked as cooking it on high heat for a long period of time will reduce it down.  Keeping it lightly sauteed you can keep some of the great nutrients.  Coat your frying pan lightly with the canola oil spray.  Make sure you heat up the pan first, this will reduce the chance of your egg sticking to the pan.

Once the heat is on and ready to go, beat your eggs together to make a nice consistency and pour onto hot frying pan. Let the egg sit, do not stir contents, unless you want to scramble the egg.  Like a pancake, you should be able to flip the egg over to ensure both sides are successfully cooked.  While the second side is cooking, place sauteed spinach and mushrooms on one half of the egg.  Sprinkle some cheese on the spinach.  Fold over the other side of the egg and give it a few seconds to melt some of the cheese inside.  Plate omelet and sprinkle a little more cheese on top.  Delicious!

You can place anything you really want in an omelet.  The choices are endless.  Try bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, squash, eggplant, leeks...  the possibilities are endless.