Technically, the debate is very straightforward: my husband loves takeout, and I don’t.
It’s not that I don’t enjoy having someone else doing the cooking for a change; truthfully, sometimes lighting the ol’ gas burner night after night gets tiresome. Plus, there’s the chance to try different cuisines in exactly the time it takes to dial a dinner – and, I must admit I love a good skewer of chicken souvlaki (extra tzatziki on the side).
I suppose the real reason I hate takeout is as follows: I’m cheap.
There! I said it. I simply can’t fathom wasting $30+ to feed a family of four – not when I know I can re-create the same meal for just a few dollars per person. Give me a stocked pantry and a recipe book… I will work wonders. And my husband does adore my cooking; he just likes to see me have a day off from time to time too.
Back to the debate.
My husband has been lobbying for a takeout (or dine-in) brunch for some time now: you know, Cora’s, Sunset Grill, Eggspectations – all respectable breakfast joints where a customer can enjoy a great meal for $8.95 per person. Plus tax. Plus tip. NOT happening.
In addition to the pricey menu, I have a huge problem with sub par ingredients – grade F eggs, greasy potatoes and breakfast sausage that tastes like the bottom of my shoe. And, since you’re paying for it, the tendency to eat every last scrap of pork fat on your plate. Certainly I can do better.
So, this past weekend, I treated the family to a restaurant-style breakfast – hold the heart attack.
On MY menu: I swapped white bread for toasted Dempsters WholeGrains Flax bread and added light spreadable butter. Next, I decided give a few years back to our arteries and substituted breakfast meats for fresh fruit – however, I did keep it somewhat traditional with two fried eggs, over easy. And what about those greasy, overcooked potatoes? Not even close.
Introducing delicious Cavendish From the Farm Rustic Reds:
Great as a side or ingredient. Rustic red skinned PEI diced potatoes are seasoned with sea salt, are low in fat and deliver a delicious red potato flavour and texture in every tasty bite-size morsel. No peeling, no cutting and no mess. This convenient potato alternative is prepared the homestyle way, and adds great visual appeal to any plate. Rustic red skinned diced potatoes also make a great time saving alternative to any of your favourite potato recipes.
The fact that you bake them in the toaster oven vs. frying them in oil cuts down on a lot of the fat – just 3g per 85g serving. Now THAT is a great reason to stay home. I sprinkled the potatoes with smoked paprika for a hint of earthy spice. And the verdict? The family adored them, of course. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and the perfect accompaniment to a delicious, healthy breakfast.
Let’s just say that I won this debate, fair and square.
Click here to visit Cavendish Farms.
I am participating in the From the Farm blog tour by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Cavendish. I received compensation as a thank you for participating. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Looks delicious! My family would love that. You can come over and cook at our place anytime!
Hahaha duly noted! Thanks Kerrie!
Mmmmm, looks so good! I’m not much of a meat-eater, so I love your fruit substitution – that pineapple looks so delicious. Love the idea of smoked paprika on the potatoes too!
Smoked paprika on the potatoes is my new thing. Gives them a kick of flavour!
YUM! I am not a big fan of restaurant breakfasts because they are always too greasy for first thing in the morning, but your rendition of it looks perfect, healthy and delicious! (and LOL at ” – hold the heart attack”)
:) Just keeping it real – a few substitutions are sometimes necessary!
We never go out to eat either. I make almost all of our food from scratch. So much healthier and cheaper!
Sooo much cheaper and yes, so much healthier!
It looks healthy and delicious, but ‘m not going to lie and say I would have added bacon. It just isn’t the same without bacon. :)
Ha! Not going to lie – I would have liked a few slices of bacon too, but life is all about moderation :) This was our healthy day!
Delish! Sans the triple by-pass
Sans triple by-pass for sure!
I love Cavendish Farms products
:) Me too! Convenient and very affordable!
Looks delicious! :-) I have heard a lot about Cavendish farms lately – looking forward to trying out their products for myself
Im very much in agreeance with you – I hate spending money on going out to eat when I can cook at home for a fraction of the price – and yes, the health aspect. I have been trying to be VERY mindful of portion size this year and I cringe at the fact that restaurants do not adhere to that in the least or have health in mind!
You should definitely give them a try – my husband says he likes them much more than the competitor!
Gah! Looks so good! I had seen Cavendish in the store but wasn’t sure I’d like the potatoes, but I trust your recommendation!
Please try them – I think you’ll really love them! They’re a hit at my house.
I’m much like you… I prefer to cook, not only due to price but my food actually tastes better. The hubby is a takeout nut! I could live without it entirely.
I’ll have to show him this post later…. lol
Hahaha I am totally on your side here! I can do without takeout too :)
That looks really really great. I love breakfast, but I also am not a fan of eating breakfast at a restaurant. I second everyone’s opinion that it is healthier, more economical, and tastier when it is homemade!
I think breakfast is definitely better homemade. “American Style” breakfasts are essentially heart attacks on a plate!
All I have to say to this is….Bacon!!!!
LOL! I DO love me some bacon, I really do!
You have hit on a topic that has become our new year resolution. Because of time, we were eating out about three times a week. I am so sick of take out! Since the new year we have only eaten out one time and this is a huge change for us. I love, love, love your breakfast. It looks so good, healthy and filling. Yum, on the weekends, breakfast has become my favourite meal. I am going to make this exact one! Thanks for the idea :)
You’re very welcome Lee! It’s wonderful to see that you’ve taken a stand against takeout – what will you do with all the extra money? I think you need to treat yourself to something fabulous :) Enjoy the breakfast!
That breakfast look oh so delicious. If eating out looked, tasted and had these ingredients I would possibly eat out but the food in restaurants is as you say Lena sub-par. So I choose to eat at home, too. There is nothing like a meal cooked with love and a family’s health in mind. Thank you for this article, Lena.
Thank YOU Michelle – sounds like we agree about this 100%!
What a great treat for the fam! Looks yummy.
Try it! You’ll love the Rustic Reds from Cavendish!
that looks delicious! yes takeout or mall food is so crazy expensive these days!
Too expensive for my liking – I’d rather eat at a fine restaurant once a month than waste money on takeout!
Looks delicious!
:) Thanks Tanya!
I love eating breakfast out on occasion, but my hubby is like you except he doesn’t cook. I love your healthy breakfast at home options.
Thank you Julia! It’s nice to eat out and have a break, but much nicer to control the nutrition at home :)
I don’t know if this is going to come out right because I type faster than I think.
But, I always love the stories you have accompanied with your blog posts. They’re a good read. You’re a good story teller, that’s for sure! :) Wish I was over at your house for breakfast!! Yum.
Hahaha that came out perfectly. Thank you so much, Nancy :)
Looks great – can you come cook at my house? =D
For you Lisa? Any time! :)
The great thing about home cooked meals is having a say in what you are eating (for example, choosing local, organic and/or seasonal ingredients) and how you are preparing them (e.g. steam vs. fried). That said, it’s super sweet of your husband to not want you to slave over the stove all the time! :)
It is sweet of him! And yes, making healthier choices is a great reason to eat/cook at home!
You sound just like John — he hates paying for stuff he can make BETTER and CHEAPER. But we go out a lot anyway, since we’re so busy and so damned tired! Love your menu — although I couldn’t have forgone the meat. Last night we had breakfast for dinner in honor of Shrove Tuesday (blueberry pancakes, veggie egg frittata, fruit salad and turkey bacon). There was no way I could give up my smoked meat — too yummy! I even contemplated buying balogna to fry up!!! Lol.
Fried bologna – LOL! I’ll admit, there’s usually bacon on our breakfast plates. But, leaving it out just one weekend per month probably buys back at least a few months for your arteries!
looks delish!
:) Thanks Kristina!
This looks delicious!! I love fresh fruit with Sunday Brunch. Michael makes it!! I don’t have to do a thing. French toast, berries and yoghurt and yes bacon or sausages.
Mmmm that sounds divine! I’m coming over Teresa!
Mmm that looks delicious! I think I want breakfast for supper tonight! :)
Mmm, I love breakfast for supper!
This looks so simple and quick! I may have to get myself those pre-cut potatoes hmm…
They’re really affordable (about $3 a bag) and it’s much cheaper than takeout!
LOL, Lena you kill me! And I agree with you 100%! We rarely ever eat out due to cost and everytime we do, I regret it! On Friday, it was my husband’s turn to make dinner and because he was running late from work, he picked up some dinner from Pizza Pizza. One large pizza, some wings and some pop ended up costing $25. The whole time, I was calculating in my head how many bags of groceries I could have bought for $25!!! Typically, our dinner’s cost no more than $10 TOTAL…sometimes even $5 if I get a great deal on meats/fish from WagJag!
Keep up your blog, girl. Love it!
It was great seeing you yesterday at the Old Navy event.. and, continue this conversation re: being too cheap for takeout!
Looks yummy, we like cooking as much as possible at home. Going out to eat is a special treat.
And that’s the way it should be, Judy!
I’m with you! Its so expensive and probably much worse for you to eat breakfast/brunch out! Your breaky looks super tasty!
Thanks Anne! It’s definitely a North American thing to eat out more than dining in – trying to change that in our family!
We rarely go out for breakfast. I prefer to make it myself (I am also cheap hehe) I’ll have to give the Cavendish potatoes a shot!
Please do Alisha – they’re the only potatoes we purchase now!
What a fun read and it looks like a fun breakfast. I have to give this a try
Those potatoes look delicious and so does the rest of your meal.