The Breakfast Club

Typically, when someone is labeled a "fruit," or worse... a "nut," your natural tendency would be to avoid them like that neighbor-you-only-know-because-of-that-one-terribly-awkward-encounter-last-year. 

However. If that fruity, nutty someone happens to be your breakfast, the tendency should be to get as chummy as you can.  

Strangely enough, it took me about 18 years to master the all-important a.m. ritual of a good breakfast.  

Ever since I was five, I can remember being repelled by it. I'd get up for a serious day of kindergarten, but my little belly wouldn't hear the wake up call until at least three hours later. 

The mere thought of scarfing down milk or orange juice right after rolling out of bed literally made me sick. At such an hour, the most I could tolerate was a Toaster Pastry Strudel... but I could've made room for one of those babies no matter what the clock read. Back then, snack time officially prevailed as the most important meal of the day. 

Throughout my glorious tweens, when I spent summers at Spirit Sports Camp for Girls (it was badass, I swear), the six hours of back-to-back sports practice meant fueling up early on.

Eh, eh-- not me. How could anyone possibly run laps with a pile of scrambled eggs in their stomach? 

Come breakfast time, my concerned fellow campers unanimously confirmed that I must have a problem. Despite my best efforts to explain that I just don't do breakfast, the remaining morning mealtimes were awkwardly spent on the defense. 

It wasn't until high school that I realized the perks of breakfast. Screw an alarm, there's nothing more delightful than waking up to warm slice of buttery cinnamon raison toast. Luckily, my dad understood the power of breakfast in bed. At 7:00 a.m., he'd rest a plate of that intoxicating treat square in my face, knowing that the moment the cinnamon-y aroma wafted past my nose, all bets were off. And ultimately, I'd get my ass out of bed. Crafty, but I couldn't hate his strategy. 

It's almost funny, now, that I never go a morning without breakfast. After finding something new that I love, I'll literally hop out of bed before my alarm to make it. Weird, I know. 

Whether it's a tofu scramble or oatmeal with fruit, a proper breakfast can wake you up faster and more efficiently than any Trenta Turbo BS. And since breakfast foods can range from sugary to cheesy to a mapley-bacon combination of the two, it really is the perfect meal.

Although I still avoid orange juice and milk in the wee hours of the morning (I think I'm scarred), breakfast has rightfully become my favorite meal of the day. 

Hearty Multigrain Oatmeal
Serves 1

[1] cup water
[1/3] cup Hodgson Mill Multigrain Oatmeal with Flaxseed & Soy
[1/2] tsp cinnamon
[1/4] tsp pure vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Top it with:
[4] fresh strawberries (or any other fruit, like blueberries or banana)
[1] tbsp chopped raw almonds
[1] tsp agave nectar
dash of cinnamon


Combine the water, oatmeal, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, whisking often. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low and simmer until your cereal has reached desired thickness. You can also add more/less water depending on how thick you like it. To ensure that the oatmeal doesn't clump up, it really helps to use a non-stick saucepan and whisk continuously (with either a wire whisk or metal fork).

Meanwhile, chop the almonds and strawberries. Try hard not to snack while your oatmeal cooks. 

Transfer the hot cereal to a bowl and top with the almonds, strawberries, agave, and another dash or two of cinnamon. Eat slowly alongside an iced tea and your tank will be full for hours... wish I could say the same for my car. 

It's strawberry season! Bonus points if you buy them local (or organic)!

This recipe is so simple and fast, you could definitely make it with eyes half closed. Additionally, the oats act as a great canvas for any number of flavors. Experiment with different combinations of fruits, nuts and extracts, and you'll never tire of waking and baking. I recently made mine with almond extract, cinnamon, and blueberries!

The nutritional breakdown on this breakfast is even more impressive:

Calories: 240

Fat: 7 g

Protein: 9 g

Fiber: 8 g

The protein will give you a super boost of energy and the fiber will keep you full until lunch. Both the fiber and (good) fats take longer for our bodies to process, so a high-fiber breakfast means we're satisfied and energized all day long. It's also proven that a hearty, healthy breakfast will help keep mindless snacking at bay later on.  

So if you're not already a member, consider this recipe to be your official invitation to join The Breakfast Club. 

Quinoa Cakes, Grilled Heirloom Tomato and Sprout Salad

Sometimes, a single picture can write a thousand words.

And other times, it's the week before finals and I don't have time to write more than three sentences. Oof. 

That said, enjoy these awesome photos (and the temporary recess from academic responsibility). If you're like me, you have enough reading to do as it is... and wouldn't it be nice if they were picture books. Hey, I can dream.

The recipe for the cakes was inspired by the Carrot-Quinoa cakes found on A Fresh Squeeze. All photography on this post was done by Amanda Johnson. 


Quinoa Cakes, Grilled Heirloom Tomato and Sprout Salad
Serves 4-6

[5] large carrots, peeled and chopped into 3 inch long sticks
[2] tsp salt
[1] cup dry quinoa
[1/3] cup chopped onion
[1] garlic clove
[1] tsp olive oil
[1/4] tsp cayenne pepper
[1/2] tsp cumin
[1/2] tsp smoked paprika (Thanks, Dad!)
[1/4] cup whole wheat Japanese panko
cracked pepper

[2] large heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/2 inch slices
[2] tsp olive oil
[3] tsp balsamic vinegar
[1/2] tsp dijon
salt
pepper

[1] cup fresh sprouts (I used clover sprouts)
[2] tbsp chopped green onions

For the cakes:
Start by preheating your oven to 375 ° F. 

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Drop in carrot sticks plus 1 teaspoon of salt, return to a boil, and cook until the carrots are soft, but not mushy. Reserve 2 cups of the hot carrot water, then drain the rest. Add the carrots to a food processor.

Return the reserved water to the pot and add the quinoa. It should take about 10-15 minutes to cook, or until all of the liquid has absorbed.

Meanwhile, heat a small saucepan to medium. Once hot, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil, chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for about five minutes, or until both the onions and garlic are translucent and aromatic. Add it to the food processor with the carrots, along with 1 teaspoon of salt, cayenne pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika. Purée until the mixture starts to resemble baby food (an unappetizing way to describe it, but trust me).

Transfer the quinoa and carrot purée to a medium mixing bowl, then add the whole wheat panko and cracked black pepper. Use a metal fork to combine until everything is well incorporated. Spray a large muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray and distribute the mixture evenly. Bake for 15 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Because the cakes are delicate, I flipped the muffin tin over onto a sheet pan of equal size (rather than removing them directly from the mold).






For the toppings:
Heat a grill pan to high.

While it's preheating, whisk together the balsamic, olive oil, dijon, salt and pepper. This will be the marinade for the tomatoes as well as the dressing for the sprouts. 

Once the grill is hot, spray with nonstick cooking spray, brush the tomatoes with the dressing, and place on the grill. (It's easiest to brush just one side, putting that side down first, then coat the top side). Cook only for 2 minutes, flip and cook for another couple minutes, then immediately remove from grill.

In a small bowl, dress the sprouts and green onions with the remaining marinade.

Top each quinoa cake with a slice of grilled tomato and a small portion of the sprout salad. Drizzle the top with a healthy tablespoon of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and serve with your favorite crisp white wine.

Oo la la

Simple Thai

Have you ever noticed the absurd amount of restaurants in Burlington? I mean like, actually realized how many options there are?

With such a mind blowing variety, you'd almost mistake this whistle-stop for being culturally diverse. We can thank them for broadening our dining horizons. I, for one, don't know what I'd do without La Fiesta, La Cocina, Mar Y Sol, Pancheros, Moe's, Qdoba, Cancun or even Taco Bell.

And thank goodness that whenever I'm cravin' asian, I can choose between Red Bowl, China Gate, Simply Thai, Hibachi, Hong Kong, Anna's Thai Sushi, Panda Express, China Inn Buffet, Harusaki or Tokyo Express.

Nowadays, that tiny drawer I once chose to store menus has become so stuffed, it barely even closes. I'm lookin' at you, China Gate. Slipping six copies of your menu under my door still doesn't make me like you.

Ordering take-out around here quickly goes from being the perfect lazyman's solution, to being the most complicated decision process of the day. Kind of counteracts the whole reason why you're ordering take-out in the first place...

Unfortunately we know, it's inescapably necessary-- there's nothing worse than diner's remorse. Or as my roommate Danielle calls it, food regret. And no, I'm not talking about the side order of guilt that comes free with your hush puppies. Food regret occurs when you don't take adequate time to consider each option, and suddenly your Greek salad with chicken looks pitiful next to your friend's pepperoni calzone. Shit.

So, in the 30 minutes (or hour if it's Mike's Deli) that it usually takes for the delivery guy to track down your address, you can make this delicious rice dish and save yourself the $8.74 plus tip. I guarantee, it's a whole lot better than the stuff you get in styrofoam.

Thai Coconut Curry Sauce with Brown Basmati Rice
Makes 1.5 cups of sauce or about 6 servings 
*For serving, use 1/4 cup of sauce for every 2 cups of cooked rice


Organic Brown Basmati Rice
[1] tsp canola oil
[1/2] tbsp minced garlic
[1] small red chili pepper, minced
[1] tbsp minced ginger
[1] can organic light coconut milk (13.5 fl oz)
[1/2] tsp curry powder
Dash of cayenne pepper
[1/2] tbsp soy sauce
[1] tbsp chopped basil
Juice of 1 lime
Black sesame seeds
[1] tbsp chopped scallions for garnish

Start by heating a small sauce pan to medium/low heat. Drizzle in 1 teaspoon of canola oil and heat for about a minute. Drop in the garlic and sauté until it just starts to tan. Then bring the ginger and red chili pepper to the party, turn up the heat to medium, and cook for about 3 minutes. 


Next, stir in the coconut milk. Add the curry powder, soy sauce, and as much cayenne pepper as you can handle and whisk it all together. Turn up the heat to medium and let it cook until simmering. 


When the sauce is bubbling, take off the heat and stir in lime juice and chopped basil. 


Cook rice according to package instructions. I actually used a 90 second rice-in-a-bag because I couldn't find a boxed rice that I liked, so this step took no time at all. It made 2 servings (1 cup each). 


Finally, combine the rice, sauce, and black sesame seeds in a bowl. The hot rice will absorb the creamy, zesty sauce. For garnish, top each serving with a bundle of chopped scallions. 


So, the next time you're looking for a fast and easy dinner solution, put away your take-out menus and consider making this savory version of a thai classic. 


*This recipe obviously makes a lot of sauce, so either cook a lot of rice reserve the rest for later! Click here to find out what I did with the leftovers!

Moroccan Wheat Berry Salad

In case you found a way to dodge my steady stream of social media abuse this past weekend, you know that I recently journeyed back to my homeland of Red Sox Nation to cross a few things off my checklist. While in Boston, I was lucky enough to:

1. Celebrate my dear mother's 30th birthday 
2. Visit my long-lost-best-friend and supermodel, Catherine Way
3. Land an internship (er, kind of)
4. Guzzle down enough carbs to fuel an oil tanker
5. Take part in a life changing seminar by the Four-Time James Beard Award Winning food writer, David Leite 

I swear none of that was exaggerated...


Okay, fine, some of it was. Hush. But after my weekend of merriment, I can't stop doing this:

In fact, last weekend's activities soared so far beyond my expectations, I could have flown home on my own Cloud Nine. I had, so naively, assumed that I would walk out of the Boston University seminar with just a few helpful hints on how to get people to read about what I slap up here. 

I had no idea that someone as marvelously reputable as David would be catering our discussion to questions that I asked... like, little old me! 

I relished in every possible second of his golden wit. And yeah, I kind of want to be him. 

David versed us on everything from creating recipes, to submitting proposals, to the art of food blogging. And he was hilarious, to boot. Please check out his website so you can understand what I'm talking about! 

I found that there was but one downside to his lecture, and I hesitate to even say it... 

Apparently, my Ralph Lauren Superman (aka the illustrious Ina Garten) has a serious 'tude when it comes to writing about her recipes. I know, I know. It's practically sacrilege to tarnish my guru's Teflon reputation. But don't let her impeccably ironed button-down and loyalty to fabulosity fool you; this Hampton queen is apparently quite the hardass. 

Let's move on, I'm currently trying to repress this in my memory. 

I'm pretty jazzed about this next recipe. I've been holding on to the idea for a while now, and after making it, I have no idea why. I thought that I'd need a substantial chunk of time to cook the wheat berries, but they took less than 20 minutes. And in the meantime, you can prepare everything you need for the finished product.

The flavors are definitely different. I used three ingredients for the first time, here, and I'm happy to say it turned out great. See what can happen with a little experimentation? Beautiful things, people. 

I can now confidently say that wheat berries, dried currants, and Meyer lemon hold a place among my novelty food vanquishes. I get that the ingredients in this salad may not be terribly approachable to a palette tuned to Sunset Strips, but just give 'em a chance...

Because Brian Williams said so.

Moroccan Wheat Berry Salad

Serves 4

           

[1] cup dry wheat berries 

     (makes 2+ cups cooked)

[1/3] cup chopped fresh mint

[1] cup dried currants

[1/2] cup shredded carrot

[1/4] cup Meyer Lemon Curry vinaigrette (recipe as follows)

For the vinaigrette:

[2] Meyer lemons, juiced*

[1] tsp olive oil

[1] tsp curry powder

[1] tbsp course ground Dijon mustard

[1] tbsp rice wine vinegar

[1] tsp agave nectar

Start by lightly toasting wheat berries in a dry medium saucepan. Remember to keep an eye on them, shaking the pan occasionally... I let my A.D.D. get the best of me and some of these suckers burned. After about 2-3 minutes, pour in the water and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes covered. Package directions may vary so check the instructions on the back.


Place chopped mint, dried currants and shredded carrots in a large bowl. 

Once the wheat berries are cooked (they should be chewy), drain and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking. If you add the hot wheat berries to the fresh mint, the mint will turn brown. And it will be ugly. After the wheat berries have cooled, dump them in the bowl with the rest of the crew. 


To make the vinaigrette, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, curry powder, dijon, vinegar, and agave together in a small bowl, then pour over the mixture and combine. The resulting dressing will be a beautiful golden yellow. 

You're going to want to eat this right away, not only because it's irresistibly flavorful, but because the colors become muted after some time. And you know how much I love color.

But somehow, I doubt that advising you to devour with haste is the worst suggestion I could make.

*Meyer lemons are sort of a mix between and orange and a lemon. They're much sweeter and add great flavor without being too sour. 

Detox, Reeboks

I don't care if you're Mother Theresa, we all have those weekends when self-control virtually goes AWOL.

Famous last words: "I was being so good... until I went to Cookout on Saturday night... followed by Taco Bell."

Whether you're on a health-food kick or trying to log more hours at the gym, an indulgent weekend can throw a monkey wrench in whatever plan we thought we thought we made, erasing all progress on that Banquet Bikini Countdown.

Unfortunately for our asses, after barhopping Wednesday and Thursday, latenight dancing to Rebecca Black on Friday, and daydrinking on Saturday, all you want from Sunday is a big, fat brunch. If, of course, you can manage to be fully functioning before 2 p.m.

If not, there's always delivery.

When Sunday does roll around, it's like God's gift to the college student. If the week went straight from Saturday to Monday... I actually can't even finish that thought. And though I know you really wanted to make it to service this time, just so you could thank Him for giving us a solid 24 hours to become real again, the weekend toll proved (once again) to be too much.

As Monday inevitably arrives, like it somehow always does, our bodies have abandoned ship. And let's face it, so has all motivation to hit the gym.

Sound a little too familiar? Lucky for you, no one can see you nodding.

So, for anyone who has ever experienced the three-day dietary train wreck known as "the weekend," this post is for you. I can't help you finish your finance homework, but I can help you get back on track.

This recipe is for one of nature's superfoods: kale. It's literally one of the most nutrient dense vegetables you can find, and will definitely help recondition your body. This leafy green packs in all the fiber, vitamin A, calcium, antioxidants, potassium and beta-carotene that you didn't get from your Bud Light. If you've never cooked with it before, go to Harris Teeter now and buy some. It's easier to make than pasta.

Braised Kale and Couscous with Mango Relish
Serves 2

For the Kale:
[2] cups chopped kale, stems removed (about 4 leaves)
[1/4] vegetable stock;  use water if you don't have any on hand
[1/4] white wine*
[1] garlic clove, minced
[2] tbsp lemon juice

[2/3] cup dry couscous (for bonus points, use whole grain)

For the Mango Chutney:
[1] mango, chopped into half inch pieces
[1/2] cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
[1/4] cup diced red onion
[2] tbsp chopped parsley (or cilantro)
[2] tbsp chopped scallion
[1] lime, juiced
[1/2] tsp cayenne pepper
[1] tbsp roughly chopped almonds

Start by peeling and chopping the mango. It can be a little tricky because mangos have an awkwardly large pit, but don't worry too much about finesse. Place in a medium mixing bowl along with quartered tomatoes, red onion, chopped herbs, lime juice and cayenne pepper. Incorporate all the ingredients well and let them mingle in the refrigerator while you make the kale and couscous.

Rinse kale and remove the bottom part of the stem. Some people remove the whole stem, but I cut off just the tough end. Chop into 1 inch strips (cutting across the stem, widthwise).

Pour veggie stock and wine into a medium sauté pan with minced garlic and heat on medium/high until simmering. In the meantime, bring another pot of water to boil for the couscous (exact amount according to package directions). Once boiling, pour in the couscous. Many packages take just 5 minutes.

Place the kale in the hot pan and cook, covered, for 5 minutes or until the kale is bright green and tender. Drain, then squeeze on the fresh lemon juice to save color and add freshness.

Fluff the couscous with a fork once done and pile it on a plate. Cover it with the fresh mango relish and garnish with the crushed almonds. Serve alongside your kale, and you'll have a hearty, nutritious meal in no time. It may even inspire you to lace up your sneakers and hit the gym.


Now crack open a fresh beer and pat yourself on the back for bein' so freaking healthy.


*Optional: you could replace the wine with an equal amount of stock or water, but any excuse to use wine is a good one.

Taste the Rainbow

Happy April everyone! I hope you're excited-- spring is right around the corner!! 

April fools. 

I'm in Boston today, and motha nature was a biatch. An inch of snow?! April fools! But, really... 

So, to satisfy your springtime woes, here's the rainbow you won't see when you look outside your window. 

This salad is just that... a salad.

What makes it interesting? Well, it's certainly not foodporntastic. But just look at the pictures (and oh, yeah, the title of the post). This salad is pretty.

You've obviously heard the saying that we eat with our eyes first. While this won't be true for those late night nosh sessions when we practically don't even see our food, presentation really is half of our dining experience. And if we're going to eat a healthy meal, it might as well come dressed for the party. Am I right?

It's true what the experts say-- the more colorful your ingredients, the better it is for you (just don't ask me why). To make it a little more nutritious, I sprinkled wheat germ on top. Despite it's silly name, don't be scared of wheat germ. It has a toasty flavor and is great in yogurt, on salads (clearly) or on top of fresh fruit. It adds great texture plus a handful of vitamins like protein, iron and fiber.

I googled that.

For this salad, I just used what I already had in my fridge. Experiment with your own favorite ingredients! Putting it all together is the most fun part. And when you're done, if it ends up looking pretty, well isn't that just the cherry on top of the... salad.

Rainbow Salad
[1] cup mixed leafy greens
[1/4] cup sliced grape tomatoes
[2-3] tri-color mini bell peppers
[1/4] cup red onion, very thinly sliced
[2] celery stalks, chopped
[1] tbsp wheat germ

For the dressing:
[1] tbsp balsamic vinegar
[1/2] tbsp lemon juice
[1] tsp dijon mustard
[1] tsp green onion, sliced
[1/2] tsp agave nectar
[1] tsp olive oil
dash of soy sauce
salt
pepper

Whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl. Then assemble your salad to your liking. That's it, folks.

A satisfying lunch, both visually and tastefully.

**Side note: Today officially starts the FOURTH month of my vegan living (and loving)! Remember when my goal was to try it for just one month? I'm feeling amazing and really see no reason not to continue! So onward I shall go...

I eat salad all the time... April fools!

Rigatoni Primavera

Basil, salt, carrots, spice, carbs, and cheese. These are a few of my favorite things. I kid you not, I could eat this dish every day. Here's how it breaks down:

The main ingredient of this meal is a given: Carbs. I may be a girl, but really... Who doesn't love pasta? 

The star of this meal: a certain green herb that I can't seem to get enough of. And no, it's not what you're thinking. I'm talking about basil. I could put it on top of anything... and I do! I love it. Love. (I even tried basil gelato in Rome, which I'd probably only trust the Italians to do right. It was amazing). 

Go ahead and add ice cream to my list of vices. 

Then there's carrots. I'm not sure if cooked carrots were a childhood favorite of mine, but for some reason, I could have cooked carrots every night for the rest of my life. They're just so good! I realize it's a little weird that a 20-year-old college student is obsessed with carrots, but I can bet that my kindergarten homies would all agree on the simple fact that carrots are just yummy... 

...with a dash of salt. I hate to admit it, but I may be a salt addict. Along with basil, salt goes on just about anything. 

And cheese. Praise Allah that vegan options exist and taste good! You'll probably figure out soon that I rarely make a meal without it. 

Finally, I like things spicy. Not too hot, but just enough to wake up the palette. Whether it's hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes, a little zip is almost always necessary. 

Put it all together, and you really have the perfect meal. This Rigatoni Primavera is loaded with veggies (and vitamins--woo!), so it's healthy. I like the addition of carrots because it's a little twist compared to traditional pasta dishes, and the basil gives it an addicting freshness. Needless to say, rigatoni and cheese make it a little splurge-worthy, so you could definitely make it with whole wheat pasta or brown rice pasta. But come on, the white stuff is just too good! After all, in life and in diets, perfection can be wearing. 

Rigatoni Primavera

[1/2] lb rigatoni

[3] cups fresh spinach leaves

[1] cup diced carrots, peeled and in quarter-inch pieces

[1] can diced tomatoes 

[1/3] cup yellow onion, chopped

[1] tsp minced garlic 

[1/2] tsp red pepper flakes

[2] tbsp fresh basil; julienned

[1] tbsp olive oil

vegan parmesan

sea salt

cracked black pepper

Cook pasta to package instructions until al dente. Sauté onions in olive oil on medium low heat until tender, then add garlic, salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes then add tomatoes, spinach, carrots, red pepper, and a little more salt. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add pasta and stir to combine. Top with parmesan and lots of fresh basil. Then, understand my obsession. 

The perfect bite. Libby thought so, too.

Five Star Breakfast

So, I was sitting this morning with my huge Starbucks mug filled with freshly brewed coffee and that Coffeemate French Vanilla creamer that I love so much. And I was content.

That is, until my dad asked if I wanted an omelette with smoked salmon and caviar...

Coffee? Or a gourmet breakfast? Hmmm, tough choice.

I decided to take matters into my own hands and, instead of my dad's omelette, made a poached egg. I remembered the L'aneth et citron vert dijon mustard that I brought back from France, which I bought specifically for smoked salmon (dill and lime flavored). I hadn't used it yet and I honestly couldn't wait any longer. Plus, I bought it with Dad in mind and I knew that he'd like it, too.

Poaching eggs is one of those scary, let's-just-not-go-there techniques that I've always avoided. The few times I did go there, I ended up with a boiled yolk and a hand full of stringy, nasty egg whites. I really never thought it was worth it... until today.

I'd heard that vinegar helps keep the egg together, and read that the water should be just simmering. So with those techniques in mind, I made my first perfect poached egg! It's healthier, prettier, and just as easy as frying. And it made me feel kind of fancy.

Five Star Breakfast
[1] slice hearty whole wheat bread (I used When Pigs Fly 100% Whole Wheat)
[1] tbsp cream cheese
[1] tsp flavored Dijon (optional)
[2-3] slices smoked salmon
[1] egg
[2] tbsp white vinegar
[1] tsp black lumpfish caviar
chives for garnish

Fill a saucepan with about 2 inches of water and bring it to a simmer (just before the boiling point). Add 2 tbsp of vinegar and carefully drop in 1 egg-- I cracked it into a small bowl first. Let it cook for about 4 minutes, using a metal slotted spoon to collect the stray egg whites. After about 4 minutes the yolk will be runny and... perfect!

Meanwhile toast the bread and spread on the cream cheese and mustard. Layer the smoked salmon, then the egg. Top with caviar and a couple springs of chive.

It's such an easy and impressive breakfast that really feels gourmet.

Heaven.