Classic American Breakfast

                                         Classic American Breakfast

American Breakfast! Start your day with a delicious and satisfying American breakfast, featuring crispy hash browns, bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs, toast with butter or jam, and a refreshing combination of coffee, juice, and milk.

Preparation Time: 10-15 mins

Cooking Time: 25-30 mins

Total Time: 35-45 mins

Number of Servings: 3 Difficulty: Easy

INGREDIENTS

For the Hash Browns

·   Potatoes- 3 medium (about 1.5 - 2 lbs. total) OR Six frozen hash brown patties

·   Cooking Oil (vegetable, canola, etc.)- 1.5 tablespoons (if making from scratch)

For the Bacon

·   Bacon- 9 slices (about 1/2 to 3/4 lb., depending on thickness)

For the Scrambled Eggs

·      Large Eggs- 6

·      Milk or Cream- 3 tablespoons.

·      Butter- 1.5 tablespoons

·      Salt- Pinch

·      Black Pepper- Pinch

For the Toast

·   Bread Slices- 6 (your choice - white, wheat, sourdough, etc.)

·   Butter- For serving (optional)

·   Jam/Jelly- For serving (optional)

For the Drinks

·  Orange Juice- 3 cups (approx. 720ml)

·  Coffee- 3 cups (approx. 720ml), brewed.

·  Milk- 3 cups (approx. 720ml)

Tools & Equipment

For Hash Browns

§  When using frozen patties:

§  baking sheet

§  Spatula or tongs for turning.

§  When making from scratch:

§  Vegetable peeler

§  Box grater (or food processor with grater attachment)

§  Large skillet (non-stick recommended, 10-12 inches)

§  Clean kitchen towels, or thick paper towels for squeezing out water.

§  Spatula or Turner.

For bacon

Preparing bacon in a skillet

You'll need:

§  Large skillet 10-12 inches

§  Tongs or a fork

§  Plate lined with paper towels for draining.

To prepare bacon in the oven

You will need:

§  Baking sheet

§  Aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy clean-up

§  Tongs

§  Plate lined with paper towels for draining.

To make Scrambled Eggs

§  Mixing bowl (medium size)

§  Whip or Fork

§  non-sticking frying pan (8-10 inches)

§  Rubber spatula or heat-resistant spatula

To make Toast

§  Toaster OR Baking sheet (if using oven broiler)

§  Tongs (if using a toaster or broiler) For Drinks

§  Measuring cups

§  3 individual glasses (for orange juice/milk)

§  3 coffee mugs or Coffee maker, French press, or your preferred coffee brewing equipment General

§  Serving plates (3)

§  Utensils (forks, knives)

GUIDELINES

Have everything hot and ready at the same time.

1: Pre-Cooking & Setup (Start 25-30 mins before serving)

• Preheat Oven(s)

• If using frozen hash brown patties (and/or baking bacon), preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

·       If you are toasting in the oven, you will want to prepare to preheat your broiler later.

• Prepare Hash Browns (Oven Method - If using frozen patties)

§  Place the 6 small hash brown patties onto a baking sheet (I'll be using some foil).

§  Put them in the preheated oven.

§  Set your timer for 15-20 minutes and remember to flip halfway (this is your longest cooking item, so get it started first).

§  Prepare Raw Potatoes (If making shredded from scratch)

§  Peel and grate the 3 medium potatoes.

§  Immediately rinse under cold water until clear (drain out excess starch).

§  Very importantly- Squeeze out as much water as possible from the grated potatoes with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. This is very important for crispiness. Put this aside for now.

• Prepare the bacon (Oven Method - easiest method)

§  Foil or parchment line your sheet pans for easy cleaning up.

§  Lay the 9 slices of bacon down, in a single layer, on the sheet pan.

§  Once the oven is set to 400° F (200° C), place the bacon in the oven, along with the hash browns (if you are using them).

§  Set the timer for 15-20 minutes and watch it because bacon cooks at different times based on thickness and how crispy you want it. 

• Prepare the bacon (Skillet Method - if you prefer)

§  Have your large skillet ready, as you will want to start cooking once the hash browns are on the go, or you can do it at the same time if you have two large skillets.

§  Whisk Eggs (Before you do that, have your pan with bacon on and hash browns/your other item you are cooking, going):

§  In a mixing bowl, add 6 large eggs.

§  Add 3 tablespoons of milk or cream, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of pepper.

§  Whisk hard until yolks and whites are mixed and slightly frothy. Set aside.

2: Active Cooking (About 15-20 minutes before serving)

§ Skillet Hashbrowns (if making from scratch):

§  About 15-20 minutes before serving, place 1.5 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

§  Add the squeezed shredded potatoes to the hot skillet, pressing down on the potatoes to create an even layer.

§  Cook undisturbed for 5-7 minutes until a golden brown crust forms on the bottom.

§  Carefully flip the hashbrowns and cook for another 5-7 minutes until they are golden and crispy on the other side.

§  Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the hashbrowns from the skillet and keep warm (on a plate, loosely covered with foil).

§  Cook the Bacon (using skillet method - if not using oven):

§  Place the 9 slices of bacon in a large skillet (if the skillet is not large enough to accommodate all 9 slices without overlapping, you may need to work in batches).

§ Cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until it reaches the desired crispiness (often 8 - 12 minutes).

§  Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with a paper towel to drain off excess fat. Keep warm.

Drinks Preparation

§  Pour 3 cups of orange juice into 3 separate cups.

§  Brew 3 cups of coffee however you prefer to. Pour into 3 mugs.

§  Pour 3 cups of milk into 3 separate cups.

3: Final Cook & Assemble (About 5-10 minutes until serving)

• Cook the Scrambled Eggs

• Add 1.5 tablespoons of butter into a non-stick pan on a medium-low heat.

• Pour in the whisked egg mixture.

• Allow the edge of the eggs to begin to set (approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute).

• Push the cooked eggs into the center with a spatula, tilting the pan to allow the uncooked eggs to flow underneath.

• Gently continue to fold and stir the eggs until they set but they are moist and creamy. Do not overcook or they will become dry. You will want to take them off the heat as soon as they are finished.

• Prepare the Toast

• Toaster: -Place 6 slices of bread into your toaster. Toast to your desired level of golden brown and desired toastiness.

• Oven Broiler: - (if applicable) Preheat your oven broiler. Place 6 slices of bread on a baking sheet. Place underneath the broiler for approximately 1-2 minutes on each side, watching carefully as toast burns quickly. Cook until golden, then flip.

4. Serve up

Once everything is ready (hashed browns, bacon, eggs and toast), plate up on three plates.

Plate 2 slices of toast, 3 slices of bacon, a portion of scrambled eggs and a portion of hash browns for each of the three people.

§  Provide butter and jam for the toast if so desired.

§  Provide orange juice, coffee, and milk.

§  Enjoy your homemade Classic American Breakfast.

Macros (Approx. per serving – portioned for 3 people)

    Calories: 650-750 kcal

    Protein: 22-28g

    Carbs: 40-50g

    Fat: 45-50g

Tips & Variations

§  Use frozen hash browns for ease-of-use or shred fresh potatoes for crispy texture, as desired.

§  Substitute bacon for turkey bacon or plant-based strips for a lighter option.

§  Substitute whole-grain bread for better fiber or avocado for a newer, modern twist.

§  Substitute iced coffee or iced tea instead of hot caffeine drinks during summer.

FAQs

Q1: -Can I prepare anything the night before?

A: -Yes! You can precook the bacon and shred the potatoes to save time.

Q2: -How can I make it healthier?

A: -You can substitute olive oil for butter and select lean bacon. Sauté some vegetables for the eggs.

Q3: -What can I drink instead of milk?

A: -You can use plant-based milk, such as almond, oat, or soy, depending on your preference.