LABOR PAINS

Holidays are often synonymous with pain, aren't they? Good pain, hopefully...like aches from laughing too hard, stomach pains from over-eating and, yes, headaches from indulging a bit too much while celebrating with friends and family. Keeping up with old traditions while creating exciting new ones, Joe and I decided to throw a little bash for a few friends this weekend to celebrate (among other things) the pains of our labor since arriving in the Empire state two years ago. To celebrate, Joe produced one of his unforgettable meals while I poured yummy libations for our friends. Our guests had such a good time, in fact, a few of them stayed the night to see what was on the breakfast menu (well...that, or to sleep in a warm bed rather than a cold cot in the local jail!). To nurse a labor day pain, I made a strong pot of coffee this morning and whipped up something I saw in this months Bon Appetit. If you are having labor day pains, baked eggs might be just the answer to get you back on your feet with something good to eat!
EGGS AND (little) LABOR:
This was an incredibly easy, fast, delicious (if I say so myself) breakfast to make for our hungry guests. AND, I finally used a few of the 100 Ramekins I purchase on sale at the Williams Sonoma outlet last year! So, here are your simple ingredients:
1.) Bacon (if you want to be fancy, make it Applewood smoked
2.) English muffins
3.) Baby spinach
4.) Eggs
As you sip your morning Joe, here are the easy steps:
1.) Make the bacon in a non-stick pan so it's crispy (I place on a paper towel on a clean plate and set aside.)
2.) with a small spoon, place a small amount of bacon grease in the bottom of each ramekin.
3.) turn bacon-greased pan down a bit and add spinach to grease. Cook down (spinach will shrink right in front of your eyes)
4.) In each ramekin place one half of the english muffin face-up. Place spinach on top of muffin and add bacon bits. Create a small dimple in top and crack egg over spinach. Place in oven at 400 degrees for fifteen minutes.
Place ramekin on dinner plate (ramekin will be very hot coming out of oven) and serve. Believe it or not, this delicious breakfast..grease et al..is only 230 calories!
TIME TO COMPLETE TASK: 20 minutes
COST: less than $10
STRESS LEVEL: Little bit of labor to take away the pain: LOW