After days of simple breakfasts like my beloved avocado toast (how cliché am I?), interspersed once or twice by a bowl of plain yogurt topped with homemade granola and slow-cooked fruit compote (rescued from the freezer), I fancied a change. It was a day off, after all. No make-up to put on, no matching shoes to find. The world was my oyster. Or my budget version of it: a mussel.
avocado toast with rose harissa salsa and egg + kimchi guacamole and egg – my Instagram
What I really fancied was a drive into nearby Stockbridge village to visit the bijou Swedish bakery Peter’s Yard, ostensibly to get a loaf of their crisp yet chewy sourdough levain bread – just one small loaf to last us the week: when it’s gone, it’s gone. But of course I would naturally be seduced into purchasing a cardamom laced blueberry custard bun, accompanied by a small but perfectly formed cappuccino. Suitably fortified and feeling rather yummy mummy in the douce surroundings I planned to zip back home, pound out some work then tackle the garden in readiness for spring planting.
Of course, I didn’t do any of this: not the bread buying, the coffee sipping, the bun scoffing or the garden tending. I did do the work pounding though. Five hours on a day’s off-worth. Ridiculous, I know.
As I have got older I find I just can’t do indulgent. I can’t do planned leisure. Or a least not without an internal fight with myself. I’m better if my OH instigates something, especially anything involving a long walk and a cafe stop. But it needs to be long walk to actually deserve that stop.
It’s not that I have an ulcer-inducing work ethic or anything. I can faff around and achieve nothing with the best of them. Homer Simpson has nothing on me, just ask my husband. But sipping coffee, eating a sticky bun (which, let’s face it, isn’t really me) and pecking about in the garden with a pair of secateurs like Monty Don is too much like hard work. It’s the guilt, you see. The ‘I should be doing this’, ‘I should be doing that’, not wasting time ON MYSELF. Basically the opposite of what I tell people on my workshops and those who I see one-to-one. How ridiculous am I? Please tell me you aren’t as pathetic.
I did manage to salvage something of the feel-good feeling of a day off, with breakfast. Despite my reluctance to treat myself with a rare bought bun and coffee I did make something pretty special. I treated myself to a rummage in the vegetable tray and a potter at the stove. And this is what I made. Nothing like a cardamom laced perfectly baked blueberry bun – did I mention it had custard under the berries? – but it did the job. Actually this very odd sounding savoury Japanese skillet breakfast is extremely good, if I do say so myself. I’m not brilliant at taking time for myself, but I am darn good at tooting my own horn. At least for today.
How do you treat yourself? Let us know. I need ideas!
Japanese Breakfast Skillet with Warm Tomato, Ginger and Miso Dressing
This is much less complicated than first appears. If you have a decent blender or food processor, the sauce takes just seconds. And the rest of the dish is really just chopping and stir-frying. You don’t even need to measure. This is perfectly satisfying as is but some of you may like this with toast, or even something like wet polenta – neither very Japanese. But then, neither am I.
2 tbsp oil of choice (I used extra virgin olive oil), divided use
150g (1 ½ cups) small dice sweet potatoes – see images, I didn’t measure
½ small onion (about ¼ cup), sliced
50g ( ½ cup) shiitake or chestnut mushrooms, sliced
150g (1 cup) small cherry/grape tomatoes
100g (about 6 cups), curly kale, chopped and ribs removed
2-4 eggs
The Sauce
½ small onion, finely diced
2 tbso light tahini OR neutral oil
1 tsp white miso (more to taste) OR tamari/soy sauce
2 tbsp finely minced ginger
1 ½ tbsp. tomato ketchup or tomato paste
8 cherry/grape tomatoes
½ tsp freshly ground pepper
1 tsp ground turmeric
1-2 dates (2 if not using ketchup)
Optional – sliced toasted nori, togarashi, and/or chopped chillies for garnishing
1. First of all pop all of the sauce ingredients into a powerful blender (I use my trusty Froothie Optimum 9400) and blitz until completely smooth and warmed from the friction of the blender. Scrape into a bowl or jug, cover and set aside.
2. Heat half of the oil in a heavy-bottom skillet (I use a well-seasoned cast iron pan) over a medium flame. When medium-hot , throw in the onion and sauté for a couple of minutes, followed by the sweet potato and mushrooms. Stir frequently, cooking until the potato softens – about five minutes. Now turn up the heat a bit, push the other veg aside and add the tomatoes. Let these get a bit dark in places, shaking the pan occasionally. When all seems softened mix in the kale, adding a small splash of water if it appears anything might stick. Cover with a lid and turn off the heat.
3. In another, smaller, fry pan (or you could poach the eggs), heat the remaining oil and fry the eggs as you wish.
4. Serve by topping each serving (if sharing!) with two eggs, some of the sauce and any garnishes you wish. This kind of protein and fibre-rich dish should keep you well-fed until your next meal.
Note: adapt the vegetables to whatever you have – use any winter squash instead of the sweet potato, peppers if you like and any greens you fancy too.
Sauce Uses: this sauce is very versatile – use it as a salad dressing (especially hearty grain-based ones), glaze for tofu or tempeh, stir into Asian noodle and rice dishes. It’s also nice on steamed veg and slices of hard-boiled egg.
Similar (-ish) on Food To Glow:
Easy Shakshuka (Spiced North African Tomato and Eggs)
Baharat, Quinoa, Lentils and Eggy Breakfast
Healthy Whole Food Breakfast Skillet Recipes From Others:
Kale and Potato Breakfast Hash – amuse your bouche
Southwestern Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet – eat live run
Power Greens Breakfast Skillet – my fitness pal
Breakfast Skillet – readers digest best health magazine (Canada edition)
Love it!! Looks so beautiful, yummy and cheerful. 🙂 I think spending time cooking this breakfast was your own version of treating yourself. 🙂 How do I treat myself? Well, I like to in a variety of ways, but my most favourite one is just snuggling up with a very good novel and I can go off into another world! 🙂 Happy Sunday!! XO, Violet
Yes! The pleasures of a good book. But that is one of the things I now struggle with too, unless it is non-fiction or a bit work-related. I used to be able to spend an unfathomable amount of time lost in a book. Now when I sit down with a book or paper I spy the windows that need washing or the list that needs making. I am hopeless! Anyway, I should take heed of your wisdom and pick up a juicy novel. 🙂
have to say, I am the mother of faffing. Yesterday was a Saturday and I think I actually ate one proper sit down meal and breakfast is just not happening these days- so wrong. I’m not a sweet breakfast person so much of the convenience stuff just puts me off so miso and eggs are a gorgeously inviting idea, loving the look of that squash and there is extra appeal in the simplicity of this recipe- little washing up to do afterwards is a very good thing in the morning xx
Well, Deena it is really more of a brunchy thing anyway. Most people don’t have my luxury (at least most days) of preparing a nourishing and sustaining breakfast (the sustaining is as important to me as nourishing!). You are a mum to an active little boy so don’t be hard on yourself about not eating breakfast. But DO look after yourself. Thanks for your very kind words about this recipe. I wish I could come down and make it for you. 🙂
PERFECT way I can use my tahini!!! Yum!
This is so beautiful! Loving the colour combinations, 😀
Thanks so much. 🙂
Oh, that evil “should”!!! I think we all know it well. You’re light years ahead of most when it comes to treating yourself well at breakfast, and that’s a start. 😀 Many afternoons I treat myself in a small (to me) way by making a milky rooibos-chai tea, your sweet golden turmeric milk, or a superfood hot chocolate. It’s something I look forward to and it’s comforting on these cold days. Plus I want something sweet and honestly, what’s truly more indulgent than having something tasty AND good for you (just like your breakfast here – loving that sauce!).
I know, I know. The evil “should”…yes I do always have a good breakfast. Past posts will let anyone know that I can’t go out of the house without a full tummy of something good. Or else! I love your suggestions for little treats to yourself (thanks for having my turmeric milk make the grade!). Thanks for setting me straight, too 😉
Reblogged this on nikoshap.
What a great idea – I really struggle with breakfast inspirations so this is definitely one to try at the weekend! x
Thank you. I think this is definitely a weekend thing for most people. Unless they are lucky and work from home, as I do on some days. Btw, I have loads of breakfast ideas in the Index.
I cannot help but say Shakshuka in a Japanese accent! Love the one pan idea too. Reminds me of when I only had one pan to cook in!
Yes! I see it! Less saucy, but a cousin at least. I’ve already got 2 shakshukas here but I might consider it now stands a 2.5 😉
What a delicious breakfast indulgence… so glad you treated yourself!
This looks wonderful! I wish someone would make this for me!The pictures are gorgeous by the way (as always)!
Mmmm hmmmm
My breakfasts aren’t usually even as exciting as avocado toast, let alone this lovely breakfast skillet! Sounds absolutely gorgeous.
Oh, I’ve been waiting for this one since I saw it on the ‘gram, and it definitely hasn’t disappointed (as if any of your recipes ever do). I also fall prey to the constant siren song of work, especially with having an office job AND a blog AND a business, there are never really enough hours. For me, taking the time to cook something for myself, just because, for no reason other than that I wanted this thing, would be utter indulgence. Pinning this gorgeous breakfast for the next time one of those opportunities should arise.
That looks amazing!
Yum this looks like a great breakfast to start the day off right! Thanks for sharing!
So colourful and enticing, I think you will have eaten a rainbow before the day even gets going, brilliant. I especially like the strips of toasted nori on the egg.
I’d definitely love to start the day off with that breakfast, looks so good and all the Japanese flavours I love!
This looks AMAZING! This one will be part of my future breakfast lists! Thank you
OMG!!! This looks so good!!! I have to make this!
If you have time, check out my blog!!!
A dish of such beautiful colours 🙂 I try and sit down for half an hour everyday but I don’t always manage it!! X
Thanks, Elaine. Well, your lovely dog probably keeps you on your feet a lot – in a healthy way – so that’s kind of time to yourself 🙂
It is 🙂 xx
Food looks soooooo appetizing! Your images are super bright!
Thanks – I use very colourful ingredients!
Looks like a lovely colourful way to start the day. I’m a champion faffer as well so no real advice here, I usually end up pottering about in the kitchen when I take some time off.
Looks so delicious!
This sounds so good, what an interesting alternative to have for breakfast. Looks fab too!
Oooh what a perfectly heavenly breakfast! I could eat that right now, curled up on the couch 🙂
Japanese breakfasts are the best. Must try this one!!
Oh my, this looks so good! I am jealous. I am learning to get on with things in the morning, but my brain doesn’t really seem to kick in until lunchtime. Perhaps a lovely breakfast like this will help.
Seems like a very interesting idea for breakfast, will have to try it!
this looks so tasty.
might have to try this soon
That looks amazing Kellie! 🙂