On day two without electricity here in chilly Connecticut, I began to dream of the sea. On day three, I saw sparkling azure water and white Cycladic houses perched on craggy cliffs. By day four I was imagining myself relaxing in the sunshine on a balcony high above the Mediterranean, sipping coffee from a dainty espresso cup and munching honey-drenched loukamades. By the time the power came back, five days after our freak fall snowstorm, the Greek Isles were calling my name.
Enjoying a leisurely breakfast on that hilltop hotel balcony, with the sea breeze in my hair and the scent of Greek coffee filling my nose - now that would be good living! And with impeccable timing, the folks at Fage Total (makers of luscious, creamy, healthy Greek yogurt), through the magic of Foodbuzz, have asked a handful of bloggers to weigh in on the concept of “good living.”
It would be easy to live the good life on a sun-drenched Mediterranean beach. But here’s the thing: I’m not in Greece. And neither are you (well, most of you). We’re here, in our own real world lives, where we don’t eat breakfast off cobalt porcelain while lounging on hotel balconies. If you’re like me you make a mad dash to work and scarf down breakfast at your desk. Or maybe you devour a granola bar while driving carpool, or grab a donut from the drive-through. Despite our busy schedules, good living shouldn’t be reserved for vacation.
I’m on a mission to make good living happen every day. And I’m starting with breakfast.
Turning my desk into a cafe in Mykonos may not be realistic, but I can certainly do better than a handful of cereal on a napkin and a paper cup of coffee. To me, good living is about enjoying the details. It starts with a good coffee mug. Mine is pink, heavy and just the right size. Filled with hot coffee, its rounded shape keeps my cupped hands warm as I sip. Real utensils, too, are worth the effort. Although they have to be washed, they make a meal feel like a meal, something to be savored not simply consumed. I have a stash of spoons, forks and cute little plates in my desk drawer that help me to enjoy the moment of my breakfast, however short.
Someday I might actually make time to eat breakfast at home, but for now, I have an arsenal of quick portable breakfasts that still make me feel pampered. It’s no surprise that most of my favorite quick breakfasts include Greek yogurt – it’s creamy, decadent, and chock full of protein. The possibilities are endless, but here are just a few of my favorite on-the-go or at work breakfasts:
-My Pumpkin Yogurt Breakfast Parfait
-Fage 0%, fig jam, and toasted pine nuts layered in a portable container and sprinkled with cinnamon
-An egg, scrambled with a bit of chipotle hot sauce, rolled in a tortilla with canned black beans, a spoonful of Fage 0%, and a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro if you’re feeling fancy
-Fage 0%, a handful of dried cherries, and a few chocolate chips stirred into (instant or reheated) plain oatmeal
-Toasted ciabatta topped with Fage 2%, orange zest and strawberry jam
-A PB+J parfait: slightly warmed smooth peanut butter stirred into Fage 2%, layered with strawberry jam and sliced banana (and maybe even crumbled crisp bacon if you’re in an Elvis kind of mood!)
-A smoothie made of dried dates microwaved in a cup of orange juice, then whirred in a blender with Fage 2%, ice and honey
-This Pear, Yogurt and Feta Frittata!
This frittata is my latest breakfast obsession. It’s quick to make, so if you can spare a few minutes of sleep, it would be a great candidate for a leisurely at-home weekday breakfast. But it reheats wonderfully, in either a toaster oven or a microwave, so it’s a perfect take-to-work option, assuming you have kitchen access on the job. But even if you don’t, this frittata is delicious cold or at room temperature. And if you’re really on the go, it is incredibly fantastic stuffed into a pita with an extra dollop of yogurt, a drizzle of honey, and even a handful of toasted nuts if you like.
I’ve always been a big fan of the sweet and salty combination. The salty feta, tangy yogurt, sweet pear and earthy honey make for a fantastic taste experience. What is really special here, though, is the texture of the eggs. Adding yogurt to the egg mixture makes this frittata taste anything but healthy. But it is healthy, and to my mind, good living requires nutrition as well as indulgence. This frittata fits the bill; it tastes wonderful, looks beautiful, feels decadent and powers me through my morning. And it works great for lunch or dinner too. I should know since I just ate it for three meals in a row!
Pear, Yogurt and Feta Frittata
Serves 3-4
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 eggs
3 egg whites
6 ounces fat free Greek yogurt, divided
pinch of salt
pinch of freshly ground black pepper
1 small pear, thinly sliced
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
3 tablespoons honey
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat the oil in a nonstick oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Wisk the eggs, egg whites, and half of the yogurt together until smooth and no lumps remain (this can take a few minutes). Stir in the salt and pepper. Add the egg mixture to the skillet and swirl slowly to make sure it settles evenly in the pan. Quickly arrange the pear slices on top and then sprinkle with the cheese. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the egg is set and the cheese melts, about 10 minutes. Remove the skillet from the oven and slide the frittata onto a serving plate (it should slide out easily). Drizzle the frittata with honey and serve with a dollop of the remaining yogurt. Delicious hot or cold!
As part of the Foodbuzz Featured Publisher program, I have been entered for the chance to win a trip to Greece courtesy of FAGE. You too can enter to win one of three trips to Greece by entering the FAGE Plain Extraordinary Greek Getaway here: http://www.fageusa.com/community/fage-greek-getaway
