Breakfast of Champions

They (whoever they are) say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

It's also the best. I said that. "They" didn't.

So when I heard about The Incredible Breakfast Cook-Off being held in conjunction with Maine Restaurant Week, I knew I had to go. Called up my friend Becky, who's always up for a good foodie event and we hustled down to SoPo (that's South Portland to you) first thing Friday morning.

We were greeted by this guy.

You just can't go anywhere in Maine without lobster showing up.

We found more lobster in Sea Dog Brewing Co.'s Lobster Benedict on a croissant.

Crab, in the form of Eggs Benedict on a Crabcake with Avocado Mousse, from Sea Glass at Inn by the Sea.

And more Eggs Benedict from The Porthole, with spinach and a creamy smoky bacon sauce.

This was my favorite of all the egg dishes, proving once again that everything is better with bacon.

In search of carbs, we sniffed out the offering from The Good Table - Creme Brulee French Toast.

Ok, like most really delicious things, it doesn't look like much in the photo. But trust me, this was the clear winner. A hearty French bread, soaked over night with eggs, heavy cream, brown sugar, Grand Marnier and other diet-busting ingredients, then baked to form that signature brulee crust. With fruit on top, just to make you feel like you might be eating something healthy. Amaaaaazing. Even though The Good Table is at the opposite end of the earth from me - well, on the other side of the Casco Bay Bridge and that's far enough - I plan to eat brunch there asap. I hear they have a lovely terrace in the summer. Not sure I can wait that long.

After helping ourselves to the Bloody Mary bar (hello, it's Friday!),

we were ready for some breakfast dessert. You know how I love breakfast dessert.

No, I DID NOT eat the whole thing. A little bite of each one was enough. And a bit of this too.

Tomorrow morning, it's back to my Kashi Go Lean cereal with skim milk.
I think I might be hungry again by then.


PS - Here's a link to a recipe for the Creme Brulee French Toast that sounds similar to the one from The Good Table. I haven't tried it. Let me know if you do.

PSS - One of the highlights of my morning was meeting the Morning Team from WBLM radio, The Captain and Celeste. I listen to them every day and they never fail to make me smile.

March Madness

To say that March is not my favorite month is polite. March is a tough month to get through in Maine. It's not the dead of winter, but it's no where close to being spring. There's still several feet of snow on the ground. One day there might be a bit of warm sun to melt a little. The next day there could be another 8". There's nothing to look forward to in the month of March, except for the end of it. No holidays, no vacations - nothing but a root canal on the calender. I wish I was kidding.

In the spirit of optimism, I have come up with some ideas for surviving (and even thriving) in March.

1. It's going to be Healthy Eating Month at Mignardise!
This isn't a punishment for the all the fun we've had with baked goods. It'll be interesting, enlightening and delicious. Look for new recipes and ideas throughout March.

2. A fitness goal!
The club where I work out is having an Ultra-Athlete Challenge. You have to acquire 250 miles in 31 days, walking, running, on the cross-trainer, rowing machine and bike. That's a lot of miles and I am certainly no ultra-athlete. But I like having a quantitative goal. I like knowing it's for a finite period of time (although I fear it might make March seem even longer). And I like the fact that it might help me shed some of those cookie and margarita pounds I acquired at the ranch.

3. Schedule events!
This is a good time to do all those things you've said you want to do. I want to see the National Acrobats of China when they come to town. I want to support local businesses during Maine Restaurant Week. I want to go snowshoeing and skiing at least once more. And I want to hear what you've got planned, so leave me a comment with some good ideas.

So here's the deal...I'll help you get through March if you help me. Together, we can!