My favorite meal of the day has always been breakfast.  Nothing beats the cooking odors emanating from the kitchen in the morning.  Fresh brewed coffee and sizzling bacon are two of the most recognizable and satisfying food smells, and they never fail to make me happy. 

But breakfast is not only a morning meal.  Ihop and Denny’s can attest to that.  Though the main stars are eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes and pancakes, there are many variations and combinations of ingredients to keep your taste buds stimulated.  Here are a few easy breakfast recipes that you can concoct in the kitchen.

Huevos Rancheros

What you need:

2 T olive oil

6 eggs

1 c sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 t salt

4 oz can green chiles (seeded and chopped)

3/4 c green pepper, chopped

6 six inch tortillas, flour or corn

1/2 c onion chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

28-32 oz can tomatoes, chopped and drained

What you do:

Heat tortillas one at a time, in preheated skillet over med heat.  Turn over when they start to get puffy, repeat on other side.  Wrap tortillas in foil and put in oven on warm setting.

In large skillet, cook onion, garlic, and green pepper in 1T oil until tender.  Stir in green chiles, tomatoes and salt.  Simmer for 8-10 minutes, uncovered.

In another skillet, heat one T olive oil.  Break eggs into skillet and cook sunny side up until cooked to desired preference.  Serve sauce on hot tortillas, topped with egg. Sprinkle on cheese; serve.

Breakfast Skillet

What you need:

1lb bulk pork sausage

1/2 c chopped onion

4 oz canned mushrooms, sliced

5 cups hash brown potatoes, frozen

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/4 t salt

1/8 t pepper

4 large eggs

1 c cheddar cheese, shredded

salsa

What you do:

In a large skillet, brown sausage.  Add mushrooms, onion, green pepper, hash browns, salt and pepper.  Cook for 15-20 minutes over med-high heat, or until potatoes are nicely browned.  Beat eggs and pour over potatoes.  Sprinkle cheese over mixture.  Cook, covered, on low heat for 12-15 minutes, or until eggs are set and cheese is melted.  Serve with salsa on the side.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Breakfast Bake

What you need:

32 oz bag frozen hash browns

8 eggs, beaten

1 medium onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

11/2 c cooked ham, chopped

11/2 c sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

2-3 T olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

What you do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Heat oil in a large skillet.  Add hash browns, green pepper and onion and cook until potatoes are nicely browned. 

Layer bottom of a lightly greased 9″ x 13″ baking pan with potato mixture.  Add salt and pepper.  Layer ham over potatoes.  Pour eggs evenly over ham and potatoes.  Top with cheddar cheese.  Cover with foil and cook for 30 minutes; serve.