Cooking 101 - Eggs Affettuoso

{affettuoso=Itailan for 'warm-hearted'}

This breakfast dish is my own creation - inspired by a visit to our favorite breakfast joint.  {I tweaked it, of course}  It's scrambled eggs cooked with sauteed tomatoes, basil, and asiago cheese.  This is excellent for you low-carbers out there like me who need some flavor in your mornings!

I named this his bright, sunny breakfast 'affettuoso' because it's very Italian (because I'm Italian blooded, you know) and it's so light, incredibly delicious, and it really warms the soul!  Just like any Italian meal should do, right?! You'll transport yourself to a beautiful Tuscan bed & breakfast with a morning meal like this! {sigh...}  (and then get slapped back into reality when you're all done eating and the kids are climbing the walls, food is all over the floor, laundry is piled on the couch, the TV is blaring, and the naked baby is sitting in something slimy.)


I'm not kidding, though - this breakfast is SOOO good - I made it for the first time this morning after the kiddies were gone and my husband was home studying - he just wanted a bite but couldn't stop eating!  It's amazing how simple, earthy ingredients can turn boring eggs into something amazing!

Eggs Affettuoso
Yield: Two adult servings

1/2 Roma tomato, small dices (or whatever you have)
1 T. butter (or a little olive oil if you'd like it healthier)
1/8-1/4 t. garlic powder
2 T. fresh basil, sliced thin (stack 4-5 leaves on top of each other, roll up a little, and slice thin)
5 large eggs
3-4 T. heavy cream
Asiago cheese, fine grated
salt & pepper to taste

In a small, nonstick pan, melt butter; sautee tomatoes and garlic powder for a couple of minutes, until some of the moisture evaporates from the tomato.  Add 1/2 of the basil, stir for a few seconds.

In a medium bowl, combine eggs and heavy cream, beat until smooth.  Pour into the pan with the tomatoes and basil.  Add the rest of the basil and about 1 T. of the grated asiago cheese.  Salt & pepper your eggs and cook them to the consistency you like them.  {I detest overcooked eggs - they get all spongey and weird}

You're done!  Scoop the eggs out onto your serving plates and garnish with more asiago cheese on top.  Serve with some toasted whole wheat bread - or here is Kadie's homemade seed bread.  (HERE are some more yummy bread recipes)  mmmmm...  Now go get your iPod, put in your favorite music, and enjoy your brief trip to Tuscany!!!