Comfort Food: Breakfast in the Crockpot

Who knew? (Not me!) I made breakfast in my crockpot last week.

The recipe below made enough for me to have breakfast plus leftovers in the refrigerator for several days last week. In fact, I had so much food that I actually froze several individual portions for use at a later time. I added them to my collection of frozen single-serve crockpot soups.

Last week I acknowledged that my efforts to cook more and eat out less mean I am choosing to allocate my energy differently than I have in the past. Unfortunately, even simple crockpot cooking constitutes a large energy expenditure. I compensate by making other pursuits take a back seat on the days I prepare crockpot meals. I've also sadly noticed that the prep time estimates on the recipes I use are woefully inaccurate for a cook with fibromyalgia. As I have mention here before, life with fibromyalgia means increasing my time estimates by at least 3 times, and more often by 10 times.

On the bright side, all these crockpot meals have two nice benefits. First, for all my efforts, I wind up with several days of meals from most crockpot recipes. Thank goodness I like leftovers. Second, I stepped on the scale the other day and was delighted to find I lost 8 pounds. Amazing, considering that my previous efforts to lose weight have been wildly unsuccessful.

Maybe all those hot flashes burn calories...

CrockPot Breakfast Egg Casserole

serves 12

• non-stick cooking spray
  
• 2 lb. bag frozen tater tots
  
• 12 oz. Canadian bacon, cubed
  
• 1 12 oz. bag frozen chopped bell pepper and onion mix
• 1-1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 12 eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• season salt and pepper to taste
  

Spray inside of slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place one third of the frozen tater tots in the slow cooker. Add one third of the Canadian bacon, pepper and onion mix and cheese. Repeat layers, ending with the cheese.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, milk, season salt and pepper until well mixed. Pour over the ingredients in the slow cooker, cover and turn on the crockpot on LOW. Cook for 8-10 hours, until casserole is set and eggs are thoroughly cooked.

Variations:

Substitute your favorites for the potato, vegetable, bacon and cheese ingredients, like:

• hash browns or country potatoes
• zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, diced jalapenos and tomatoes
• ham, fully cooked breakfast sausage or meatless sausage
• your favorite cheese or cheese blend
  

The casserole itself is not very attractive but tastes delicious. Consider dressing the final product with things like shredded cheese, scallions or chives and salsa.