SUNNY EGGS + MUSTARD-CREAMED CHARD

I still have not really come to terms with the major increase in my grocery bill since I am now feeding a grown man. What I passed off as dinner while living on my own, doesn't cut it anymore. Budget friendly it was, filling for a hungry man it is not. This is not a complaint; I am having so much fun experimenting and having dinner conversation about what could be different: why do you always sneak kale into everything? quinoa does not count as a starch (I disagree), more salt, a little burnt... it's fun, and I'm learning.

Lately, breakfast has been 'our thing'. Hugh makes great coffee and I make something quick for breakfast. Note that his coffee process takes about 15-20 minutes start to finish, so I have time to do more than pour a bowl of cereal. Enough time to make this breakfast panini again, or yum these are my favorite. At some point society told us that in the mornings you get up and go and you kick your feet up at the end of the day. I think taking that little luxury in the morning, is worth working later into the evening. Breakfast lovers, you feel me?

I saw this recipe in the recent Bon Appetite and changed it up just a tad to use the chard I had in the fridge. Contrary to the title, it is not overly mustardy by any means. You could save time by just having toast as opposed to the breadcrumbs, but they are what give the dish character - tiny bits of crunch in each bite. And let us not forget the option of breakfast for dinner, because anything with breadcrumbs certainly can pass for either.

SUNNY EGGS + MUSTARD CREAMED CHARD // Serves 2

Adapted from Bon Appetite

The magazine wrote the recipe with one egg, but I need two to constitute a meal. I realize we already have slightly creamy greens here, but a few grates of fresh parmesan would be a welcomed addition.

1/2 Cup Breadcrumbs (made from day old bread, crusts removed)

5 tsp. Dijon Mustard, divided

2 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus 1 Tbsp.

1/2 tsp. Mustard Seeds

1 Bunch Swiss Chard

1/4 Cup Half and Half

2 Tbsp. Chopped, Fresh Green Herbs (parsely, thyme, oregano, basil...)

4 Eggs

Sea Salt

Fresh Ground Pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400'. Bring the eggs out of the fridge. Toss the crumbs with 2 tsp. dijon, 2 tsp. olive oil, mustard seeds and a pinch of salt to coat. Scatter on a rimmed baking sheet, and toast for 6-8 minutes until edges are golden.

2. Remove the stem from the chard and give it a rough chop. Over medium high heat, add enough water to cover the bottom of a skillet. Toss the chard just to wilt it, about 2 minutes. Scrape it into a mesh sieve and press out the moisture.

3. Wipe out the skillet, add the remaining 3 tsp. of mustard, half and half, 1 Tbsp. of the green herbs and the drained chard. Stir everything together, cook about 3 minutes. Season with salt and fresh pepper. Remove from heat.

4. Heat remaining Tbsp. of oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Crack eggs in the skillet, with plenty of space between and cook until desired doneness. You may need to do this in two batches if making 2 eggs per person.

5. Divide the chard between two plates and top it with two eggs, breadcrumbs and herbs for garnish.

LENTIL SOUP WITH CHIPOTLE YOGURT

We had our inaugural rain here in southern California. That means it is now permissable to lug out your big cast iron pot and get creative. I adore how heavy my soup pot is; so sturdy and ready to take on whatever you care to throw in. There is something about soup that seems emotional to me. It reminds me of so many tender moments, whose only common thread is actually soup itself. It's a cozy and comfortable food, lending itself to good company and conversation while inside from cold weather. That is what I find so wonderful about food, that there is something so sensual about it, you can be brought back to an exact circumstance and relive it... the people, the ambiance, how you felt...all initiated by what you ate.

I introduced Hugh to the refined pairing that is grilled cheese and roasted tomato soup, years ago. We sat on his porch while he was living in San Diego, you could see neighbors walking on the boardwalk, it was dusk and just chilly enough to wear a sweatshirt (the best weather as far as I'm concerned). I picked up groceries from Whole Foods on my way down, something quick, as the college man kitchen is not the ideal working space. Fresh grainy bread and water packed mozzarella, the soup came from a box and he was still impressed. It was so simple but so perfect, years later when we make it for a quick lunch, I still find it romantic. Yes, soup from a box... but it doesn't seem to be about the soup.

I'm fairly certain you can get a few days worth of fiber from one bowl. It's healthy, I will say that much, so be generous with your 'dollop' of chipotle yogurt. I also highly suggest adding the greens when all is done, as I mention in the directions, the color is so much more a vibrant green than the overcooked alternative.

LENTIL SOUP WITH CHIPOTLE YOGURT // Serves 6

2 Cups Lentils (French or Black Beluga)

1 Yellow Onion, Diced

1 Fennel Bulb, Diced

1 tbsp. Olive Oil

1 Cup Brown Rice, Cooked (any whole grain will work)

6 Cups Organic, Low Sodium Vegetable Stock

1 tsp. Cumin

1 Large Bunch of Kale, Chard or Combo of Leafy Greens

Salt/ Pepper

1 Lemon

CHIPOTLE YOGURT

1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt

1 Chipotle Chile in Adobo, Chopped (no more than 2 tsp.)

1. Cook your rice or desired grain and set aside. Boil about four cups water, and boil the lentils for 20 minutes until cooked. Add water as needed. Drain.

2. In a large soup pot, saute the yellow onion and the fennel in the olive oil for about 8 minutes, or until just starting to turn light brown. Add the stock and cumin. Bring the heat back up to a gentle boil, about 10 minutes.

3. Add the lentils and the brown rice and simmer about 10 minutes. While you are waiting, stem your greens and slice them into thin strips. Taste the soup for salt and pepper, add seasoning as desired.

4. Turn off the heat and add in the greens, stir. The greens will wilt in the hot soup, and avoid overcooking this way. Stir in the juice of half the lemon, add more to taste.

5. Mix the greek yogurt with the chipotle chile and stir. Serve the soup with the dollop of the chipotle yogurt. Warning, chipotles are pretty spicy, so start with a small amount of sauce and you can add if you like it hot. If too spicy, add more yogurt.