You Name It

Saturday morning is my favorite time to putter around in the kitchen. My alarm clock goes off at 4:50 Monday through Friday (is it any wonder that I'm so looking forward to my retirement on June 22?), so after I enjoy sleeping at least two extra hours on Saturday. Breakfast is light and leisurely, a second pot of coffee is brewed and in nice weather I like to relax on the deck or in the gazebo enjoying all the outdoor sights, sounds and smells of summer.

Mid-morning, I like to do something that's creative, satisfying for the soul and that usually means heading to the kitchen to prepare food for a nice lunch.

The finished product, scooped onto a plate and ready to eat!

I suppose I am a decent cook; it's one thing I really enjoy. But the amazing thing is that I rarely follow recipes for my "creations," and more rarely do I make a dish the same way twice.The exception to this rule is when I bake; I always follow recipes to the letter when dealing with baked goods.

Today I thought about what I'd make, and it sort of "evolved." Pulled out all the things I like to eat: eggs, frozen spinach, cheese, bacon, herbs, onions and I ended up with a dish without a name. It's part casserole, part frittata, part quiche, and was quite good if I do say so myself.

I often prepare something with potatoes but didn't want that heaviness today, as the weather has turned hot.

I started with spinach, thawed in the microwave and layered with Parmesan cheese.

I heated a can of mushrooms (the package of fresh ones in the refrigerator were past their prime!), added a splash of white wine for flavor and added a few springs of fresh thyme. The mushrooms went on top of the spinach.

Four Vidalia sweet onions were cooked in a small amount of olive oil, a tablespoon of sugar was added to expedite carmelization and they were cooked until tender and golden. Baby bell peppers in red, yellow and orange were split and browned in the oil after the onions were removed from the pan and drained. And on top of the rest it all went.

Ah, the next step is where some of you may part ways with me. Fried eggs. Now I would have preferred them poached, but frying them was easier so into the same pan with the same oil six eggs went (only four, as I only have four egg rings).


The eggs go on top of everything else. Four slices of bacon cooked to a crisp were scattered over the eggs and more Prmesan was added. (Do you get the idea I'm mad about Parmesan?)

At this point I thought I needed some moisture, and a white sauce would have been nice. But didn't want to make one and didn't want to add a canned soup because they contain too much salt and fat. What to do? A can of tomatoes! The Italian variety with oregano and basil added. So on top, the half-drained can of tomatoes went. I thought afterward that a bottled spaghetti sauce would have worked just as well.

For the topping I toasted and crumbled two pieces of bread, herbs, lots more Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and two tablespoons melted butter. Heat in 350 degree oven about 30 minutes or until the topping is crunchy and browned.

And Voila! Lunch was served.

I didn't even bother to make a salad. It was incredibly good and my husband was crazy for it. This is one I'll definitely try again, although I'm sure next time it'll be a little different in some respect.

This is a forgiving recipe. Almost anything could be added, or subtracted. I made it up and it does not have a name, of course. Can you suggest one?

How about you? Do you ad lib in the kitchen or always follow recipes? What is your favorite dish to cook and eat?

If you try this dish, please let me know what you think!

Wishing you a great weekend, what's left of it!

Oh yes, one more thing. I gathered some flowers from the garden late in the afternoon. For me, blue hydrangea is the essence of summer. It was the first flower (although it's technically a bush isn't it? I must ask my sister; she's a hydrangea expert!) I wanted to plant when I owned my first home. There is nothing prettier (to me) than a bouquet of blue hydrangea.