Breakfast! The most important meal of the day (2004-2011)

[rarerollingobject]

Dou hua - soft warm silken tofu sprinkled with black vinegar, lao gan ma (the black bean and Sichuan peppercorn in chilli oil variety), green onion and some soy sauce.

[Jensen]

Dou hua - soft warm silken tofu sprinkled with black vinegar, lao gan ma (the black bean and Sichuan peppercorn in chilli oil variety), green onion and some soy sauce.

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Now that looks good!

What is black vinegar and, if it isn't available where I am, what would be a good substitute?

Also, this is probably a really stupid question but how do you warm the tofu? It doesn't look like it's been fried and there's no broth...microwave?

[rarerollingobject]

Dou hua - soft warm silken tofu sprinkled with black vinegar, lao gan ma (the black bean and Sichuan peppercorn in chilli oil variety), green onion and some soy sauce.

←

Now that looks good!

What is black vinegar and, if it isn't available where I am, what would be a good substitute?

Also, this is probably a really stupid question but how do you warm the tofu? It doesn't look like it's been fried and there's no broth...microwave?

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Black vinegar is Chinese Chinkiang vinegar..I'm not sure about a substitute, it has a particular caramel-ly taste..maybe a little balsamic or malt vinegar diluted with soy sauce..anyone??

The tofu isn't fried - I just bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer, slide some silken tofu straight from the package into the water, leave it a minute or two and then drain in a colander and slap into a bowl. You could do it in the microwave perhaps, in big bowl of hot water, but I wouldn't want to zap it long enough to change the texture so I stick to the stove.

[christine007]

Jamie Lee, I have the solution...I usually just cook another egg to dip it in.

Lynnette, looking forward to the pics!

Kouign Aman, Ditto

This morning, up early and full of energy, I made quiche.  Tomato, bacon, caramelizid onions and mushrooms and of course, loads of cheeses! 

The one I am giving to the neighbor,

and Mine!

btw, thank you Mona

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Nonblonde, if you'd feed me like that, I would happily chase your horses!

I have beautiful ripe tomatos in the garden. Only thing mising is bacon and some good bread.

[nonblonde007]

Christine, that's funny, because the quiche is a "thank you" for helping to search for them! Btw, all you need for that beautiful ripe tomato, is a salt shaker.

rarerollingobject, your tofu sounds delish.

Prawn, you make that eel sound like Heaven on a plate! I will Have to find a source for eel and try it now.

Jensen, Awsome Egg Porn!

[nonblonde007]

This morning I just Had to have some of the stock that I made yesterday, so one of my faves, French Dip..........

[Ce'nedra]

nonblonde007: The perfect breakfast!

Btw, this is a question to all, but I heard the whole 'big breakfast' thing is only a myth?

[Shelby]

Runny Egg basted in salsa with kippered herring, buttered rye toast, tomatoes with black sea salt

[nonblonde007]

OMG Shelby, That is Insanley mouth watering!!! Intense Egg Porn, going on there!

Ce'nedra, thank you, and the whole "big breakfast thing" is still going strong around here.

[Shelby]

OMG Shelby, That is Insanley mouth watering!!! Intense Egg Porn, going on there!

Ce'nedra, thank you, and the whole "big breakfast thing" is still going strong around here.

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Oh THANK you Blonde!! I was just feeling depressed because it seemed on one liked my pictures

[monavano]

I had half of a leftover rueben sandwich and I made this for my DH, with leftover "southwestern meatloaf"

[nonblonde007]

Mona, your poached eggs look perfect, I just can't seem to get it right, even went through the tutorial here. But still, I suck.

Eggs Benny & fried baby reds.

[Jensen]

All these egg yolks! Oh my....

[Shelby]

Mona, your poached eggs look perfect, I just can't seem to get it right, even went through the tutorial here.  But still, I suck. 

Eggs Benny & fried baby reds.

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Eggs Benedict are my absolute favorite! Looks yummy!

[Shelby]

Eggs with fried taters, rye toast, corned beef and tomatoes sprinkled with black sea salt

[monavano]

Mona, your poached eggs look perfect, I just can't seem to get it right, even went through the tutorial here.  But still, I suck. 

Eggs Benny & fried baby reds.

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Brenda, your egg looks perfect. I'll tell you my tricks for getting good poached eggs. First, use a shallow and smallest pan you can that will work. Heat water to a lowwwww simmer. Add acid; vinegar, lemon juice. About a tablespoon. NO swirling! Crack egg or eggs (I did 2 at a time this morning) into a small bowl. Place the bowl edge just in the water at the pan's edge. Gently let the egg go into the water. "Collect" the egg whites if needed. Using this method, you usually dont. Use a slotted spoon to take egg out of water when desired doneness is achieved (actually, I do a wiggle test!). Pat spoon with egg on paper towel.

Works. every. time.

Mistakes that I seem to have learned from: water is active from too strong heat. Even at a low simmer, the egg WILL cook.

Swirling the water.

Using to big or deep a pan.

Let me know how it works for you!!

Edited September 23, 2007 by monavano (log)

[shoutsandmurmurs]

drool. double drool.

shelby, monavano, nonblonde007: wonderful looking breakfasts!

(i'm such a sucker for runny egg yolks. )

[MiFi]

Poached Pature Raised Eggs, feta, red potato and pepper hash

[monavano]

Toasted pumpernickel with cheddar-horseradish chevre and field tomatoes.

[weinoo]

Just getting back into the country from Italy, and our first b'fast was an ode to both countries!

Pasta and bacon frittata, Kossar's bialy - toasted with butter, drip brewed Tazza d'Oro coffee.

[nonblonde007]

MiFi, Looks amazing.

Mona, your breakfast sounds so rich and delish.

Weinoo, welcome home, I am jealous!

Breakfast this morning was inspired by the current cook-off...pot-au-feu.

Steaming, meaty, rich broth with brie, crusty bread and a grapefruit.

Edited September 26, 2007 by nonblonde007 (log)

[Lisa1349]

I went to Spain for breakfast this morning. Smoked paprika fingerlings with olive oil fried eggs. And a big pot of La Colombe Corsica coffee (not Spanish).

[suzilightning]

For John this past week it has been blueberry and apple cake.

For me:

or as the saying goes in our house "Apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without the squeeze". John still prefers it for dessert and with vanilla tofutti.

[monavano]

Beautiful pie and cake, Suzilightning. This morning I was in a savory mood and a had of rappini looked pretty good.

Rappini and Kielbasa.

[Domestic Goddess]

Here's what hubby fixed for brekkies today: soft, scrambled egss, rustic hash browns and homemade sausages.