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The Great Mealtime Debate

February 11, 2013 By Lena

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.

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Cavendish Farms, review, Rustic Reds, side dishes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel

    February 11, 2013 at 11:42 pm

    Looks delicious! My family would love that. You can come over and cook at our place anytime!

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:25 pm

      Hahaha duly noted! Thanks Kerrie!

  2. Nicole W.

    February 12, 2013 at 12:13 am

    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!

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:29 pm

      Smoked paprika on the potatoes is my new thing. Gives them a kick of flavour!

  3. Jenny

    February 12, 2013 at 3:02 am

    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”)

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:29 pm

      :) Just keeping it real – a few substitutions are sometimes necessary!

  4. Melanie

    February 12, 2013 at 4:42 am

    We never go out to eat either. I make almost all of our food from scratch. So much healthier and cheaper!

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:30 pm

      Sooo much cheaper and yes, so much healthier!

  5. TW

    February 12, 2013 at 6:09 am

    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. :)

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:30 pm

      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!

  6. Steve

    February 12, 2013 at 8:14 am

    Delish! Sans the triple by-pass

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:30 pm

      Sans triple by-pass for sure!

  7. Debbie Bashford

    February 12, 2013 at 8:56 am

    I love Cavendish Farms products

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:31 pm

      :) Me too! Convenient and very affordable!

  8. Soozle

    February 12, 2013 at 9:05 am

    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!

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:31 pm

      You should definitely give them a try – my husband says he likes them much more than the competitor!

  9. Jolee

    February 12, 2013 at 9:23 am

    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!

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:35 pm

      Please try them – I think you’ll really love them! They’re a hit at my house.

  10. Freda Mans

    February 12, 2013 at 10:34 am

    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

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:36 pm

      Hahaha I am totally on your side here! I can do without takeout too :)

  11. Victoria Ess

    February 12, 2013 at 10:39 am

    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!

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:37 pm

      I think breakfast is definitely better homemade. “American Style” breakfasts are essentially heart attacks on a plate!

  12. InezbyDesign

    February 12, 2013 at 11:15 am

    All I have to say to this is….Bacon!!!!

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:49 pm

      LOL! I DO love me some bacon, I really do!

  13. Lee Pearson

    February 12, 2013 at 11:19 am

    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 :)

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:54 pm

      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!

  14. Michelle Chow

    February 12, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:55 pm

      Thank YOU Michelle – sounds like we agree about this 100%!

  15. Caitlin G-H

    February 12, 2013 at 7:05 pm

    What a great treat for the fam! Looks yummy.

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:55 pm

      Try it! You’ll love the Rustic Reds from Cavendish!

  16. angie smith

    February 12, 2013 at 7:31 pm

    that looks delicious! yes takeout or mall food is so crazy expensive these days!

    • Lena

      February 12, 2013 at 7:57 pm

      Too expensive for my liking – I’d rather eat at a fine restaurant once a month than waste money on takeout!

  17. Tanya

    February 12, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    Looks delicious!

    • Lena

      February 14, 2013 at 3:14 pm

      :) Thanks Tanya!

  18. Julia

    February 12, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      February 14, 2013 at 3:15 pm

      Thank you Julia! It’s nice to eat out and have a break, but much nicer to control the nutrition at home :)

  19. Nancy

    February 12, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      February 14, 2013 at 3:16 pm

      Hahaha that came out perfectly. Thank you so much, Nancy :)

  20. Lisa H

    February 12, 2013 at 9:05 pm

    Looks great – can you come cook at my house? =D

    • Lena

      February 14, 2013 at 3:16 pm

      For you Lisa? Any time! :)

  21. Sophia

    February 13, 2013 at 1:53 am

    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! :)

    • Lena

      February 14, 2013 at 3:17 pm

      It is sweet of him! And yes, making healthier choices is a great reason to eat/cook at home!

  22. Janice

    February 13, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      February 14, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      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!

  23. Kristina

    February 13, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    looks delish!

    • Lena

      February 14, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      :) Thanks Kristina!

  24. Teresa M.

    February 14, 2013 at 1:01 am

    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.

    • Lena

      February 14, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      Mmmm that sounds divine! I’m coming over Teresa!

  25. Mandy

    February 15, 2013 at 12:47 pm

    Mmm that looks delicious! I think I want breakfast for supper tonight! :)

    • Lena

      February 17, 2013 at 10:22 am

      Mmm, I love breakfast for supper!

  26. Sahar

    February 15, 2013 at 11:38 pm

    This looks so simple and quick! I may have to get myself those pre-cut potatoes hmm…

    • Lena

      February 17, 2013 at 10:31 am

      They’re really affordable (about $3 a bag) and it’s much cheaper than takeout!

  27. silverbullet71

    February 18, 2013 at 8:24 am

    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!

    • Lena

      February 19, 2013 at 10:32 am

      It was great seeing you yesterday at the Old Navy event.. and, continue this conversation re: being too cheap for takeout!

  28. Judy C

    March 5, 2013 at 2:06 am

    Looks yummy, we like cooking as much as possible at home. Going out to eat is a special treat.

    • Lena

      March 10, 2013 at 1:44 pm

      And that’s the way it should be, Judy!

  29. Anne Taylor

    March 9, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    I’m with you! Its so expensive and probably much worse for you to eat breakfast/brunch out! Your breaky looks super tasty!

    • Lena

      March 10, 2013 at 1:45 pm

      Thanks Anne! It’s definitely a North American thing to eat out more than dining in – trying to change that in our family!

  30. Alisha

    March 10, 2013 at 11:40 am

    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!

    • Lena

      March 10, 2013 at 1:45 pm

      Please do Alisha – they’re the only potatoes we purchase now!

  31. Jo-Anne Pfoh

    May 9, 2013 at 3:38 am

    What a fun read and it looks like a fun breakfast. I have to give this a try

  32. Debbie White Beattie

    February 8, 2018 at 4:55 am

    Those potatoes look delicious and so does the rest of your meal.

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Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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