WAKE UP! BREAKFAST!By Patrick Morales

THE GOAL: THE CASTLESGrowing up my family would always make quirky and themed breakfast dishes. Capitalizing on this playful approach to breakfast I have created the Castles. The morning dish is comprised of two (or more) castles made of a traditional French toast foundation with either a sweet or savory theme. The dish is meant to be served in a restaurant that specializes in breakfast cuisine (the larger buying quantities helps with the cost) but can be easily prepared at home with friends and family. A castle can be made up of any ingredients you have on hand or any combination satisfies your taste.

Left (sweet): French toast, thickly sliced strawberries, French toast, once-smashed blueberries, French toast, whole raspberries

Right (savory): French toast, thick slice of boiled potato with pepper, French toast, scrambled eggs with eggs of Provence, top with slices of avocado

Top Right: Trader Joe’s Essential Greens Veggie Juice to balance the nutrition of the meal and to add a counter weight against the sweet.

Top left: Fair Trade Organic Espresso for the morning pick-me-up.

Bottom Right: Agave and Maple Syrup Mix

INGREDIENTS&

TOOLS•Oliver’s Six Grain Organic Bread•Organic Free-Range Eggs•Organic Vanilla extract•Whole Foods 365 Organic Cinnamon•Horizons Organic Whole Milk•Driscolls Organic Strawberries•Driscolls Organic Blueberries•Driscolls Organic Raspberries

•Organic Avocado Rincon Farms•Organic Whole Foods Extra Virgin Olive Oil•Salt •Pepper•Organic Horizons Butter•Russet potatoes•Herbs of Provence•Trader Joe’s Organic Maple Agave Syrup Blend•Trader Joes Veggie Essentials Juice

•*Price compare all organic products with conventional growing to reduce cost

•Stove top•Pan with sides•Pot•Spatula•Small glass baking pan•Whisk•Stove Top Espresso Maker•Dinnerware (plates, forks, cups)•Kitchen Knife

EVERYONE IN THE KITCHEN: THE COOKING

1) Wash potato skins to remove excess dirt. Place potatoes in a pot of boiling water. Potato cook time differ by size but median time is 20 min. You want the potato to be well cooked but still firm. Slice potatoes into thick disks.

2) Mix whole milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt in a shallow bowl. Cut all bread into any shape and size desired. Dunk the bread into the batter and let it soak for a few seconds. Quickly place in high-mid heat pan on stove. 2-3 minutes per side.

3) On another burner start the scrambled eggs. Crack eggs in a small bowl and whisk. Oil the pan with extra virgin olive oil. Place whisked eggs in low-med heat pan. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and herbs de Provence. Allow eggs to clump and let cool to warm temperature.

4) Place blueberries in Ziploc bag and give them ONE smack. You want the berries to release their juice but still have their form. Remove from bag, spoon into bowl and set aside.

5) Slice strawberries in thick slices. Place in bowl and set aside. 6) CONSTRUCTION!: (kids love making their own towers!) Start with a slice of

French toast, then depending on which kind of castle you are making put either a potato (sprinkle with pepper) or strawberry layer. Follow that with another layer of French toast. Then the second layer of filling (either scrambled eggs or smashed blueberries). Then another French toast layer. Top with either whole raspberries or thinly sliced avocadoes.

7) Cut into wedges and enjoy!

THE DRINKS AND A LITTLE PHILOSOPHY

Trader Joe’s Essential Veggies Juice: All juices: celery, spinach, parsley, cucumber, kale, wheat grass, sunflower greens, clover sprouts, romaine.

Trader Joe’s Guatemalan Organic Fair Trade Espresso: Use a stovetop espresso maker, serve in single shots (optional: warm milk)

Breakfast is a time to share what's on our minds before the day begins. My family usually begins with a laundry list of things to get done, but as the eggs are eaten and the glasses emptied we occasionally drift into more philosophical conversations on politics, religion and even some times food systems. This meal could be a perfect focal item that allows for families to converse. For this meal in particular I wanted all the ingredients to be as organic as possible and fair trade when appropriate. But, sometimes organic or even all the fresh produce is out of the budget. So in keeping with the theme of eating sustainably I think that every family or restaurant that serves this meal should take some time to evaluate if this meal is a part of maintaining a sustainable business model or is appropriate for sustaining their families health and happiness.