The quickest way to a man’s heart is actually…brinner!

I can’t exactly remember the first time I found this out, but I love the reaction I get every time I bring up the subject.  If I mention pancakes, french toast, or (dare I say it) bacon after 5:00 pm, the excitement becomes tangible.  “You mean, we can have breakfast?  For dinner, mama?” my son says.  “Did I hear you say brinner?!?” my husband exclaims.  “Yes, my darlings.  Breakfast for dinner,” I say as I don my apron and pearls.

Okay, so not really.  But it’s close!

The nicest thing about brinner is that it’s incredibly easy, it takes far less time to prepare than a fancy dinner, and yet it’s nutritious and delicious.  For those nights when we haven’t exactly planned dinner ahead of time, all you need to do is open the fridge, grab some stuff, slice and dice…

Chopped onion, red pepper, red potatoes, and eggs

Throw it in a pan with some heated olive oil…

Let that get all nice and steamy, then add some more stuff…

I added one whole egg and one egg white per person, then threw in some celery, for kicks

And while that’s heating up, grab some more stuff…

Beer bread (whole wheat this time!) about to be toasted under the broiler

Now open the cupboard and grab some stuff from there.  I threw in some dried chives and basil.  Normally, I like things kinda spicy, and I would have added some cayenne too, but I had kicked up the cayenne in the latest batch of beer bread.  Trust me, there was enough spice to go around.

When the eggs are set and the bread is toasted, you’re ready to plate!

Voila! Done and done.  You now have a meal that will make the menfolk sing (and let’s face it, I sang too).  I seem to be on a feta kick these days, plus I didn’t have any shredded cheddar or pepperjack, so I put some on right at the end.  If you have other kinds of cheese, add those in before you plate so that they can get nice and melty.  Since I only used a frying pan and a broiler pan, cleanup was super easy.  I love quick and easy meals!

What’s your favorite brinner entree?