Can you even believe it’s back-to-school time already for many kids in the country? We have a little bit of a break going right now, but we’ll be following along soon enough. For parents with kids at home and teachers getting ready to return to the routine, knocking out a solid breakfast is often a big challenge. My solution? Let the kids do the cooking.
My son Ty has always had a love and knack for cooking. At the tender age of ten, he begged to try and actually executed a complicated Two Fat Ladies recipe for traditional British venison pasty. It turned out perfectly. We were all happy and impressed and – needless to say – have encouraged his continued presence in the kitchen. That’s my kid, friends. As home educators, our back-to-school routine is a little different than that of many people. In a nutshell, the boys are charged with getting out of bed, changing into day-clothes, getting food in their bellies, and being at the table – ready to tackle the day’s lessons – by a certain time. As often as not, Ty is voted the designated breakfast cook on account of his brothers’ affinity for his hearty creations.
Ty’s Best Breakfast Sandwich is a perfect example of his style. Two slices of buttered sourdough bread are stuffed with a meltable cheese, crispy hash browns and bacon, and scrambled eggs before being crimped, toasted to perfection, and served with hot sauce for his hot-sauce-fanatic-brothers. Part of what makes this particular combination so handy is that it can take advantage of leftovers from previous breakfasts or from brinners!
Ty’s tool of choice for this heavenly way to start the day is the Cook’s sandwich maker from JCPenney. Clocking in at $30 (and nearer to $15 on sale!) it’s a fantastic and inexpensive little number to have around to encourage your kids’ creativity in the kitchen. You should see how excited they get to try out new combinations in the sandwich maker. If you don’t have this handy-dandy little gadget, you can crimp the edges of your sandwich with a fork or press and toast it in a hot skillet or under the broiler.
Cook’s Notes
- Ty likes to use sourdough bread for his Best Breakfast Sandwich not just because of the flavour, but because it’s sturdy enough to being buttered, filled, crimped, and toasted.
- He starts with bacon and hashbrowns that were already cooked and leftover from a previous meal. He chops the bacon and reheats that and the hashbrowns together giving them a chance to crisp up even further.
- Ty advises you to leave a little ring of empty bread around the edges of your sandwich when filling them. That makes them easier to crimp and keeps the cheese from running out.
Ty’s Best Breakfast Sandwich
Rate RecipeIngredients
Per Sandwich:
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- 1 tablespoon softened butter
- 2 tablespoons leftover hashbrowns or home fries
- 1 slice of crispy cooked bacon, chopped
- 1 scrambled egg
- 2 tablespoons grated Monterey Jack or 1 slice meltable Cheddar cheese divided
Optional for serving:
- hot sauce
Instructions
- Heat a sandwich maker or place a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Butter the slices of sourdough bread on one side each. Assemble the sandwich on the sandwich maker or skillet by placing one slice of bread buttered side down. Leave 1/4-inch of empty space around the outside edge of the bread and lay in half of the cheese topped with the hashbrowns, bacon, scrambled egg, and remaining cheese. Lay the second slice of bread -buttered side up- on the sandwich and close the sandwich maker. If using the skillet, use a fork to crimp the edges quickly and carefully. The sandwich maker will toast it evenly on both sides at the same time, making it unnecessary to flip it. If using the skillet, flip the sandwich after the first side is golden brown. Either way, transfer the sandwich to a plate when both sides are beautifully golden brown. Serve while still hot with hot sauce, if desired.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
did you make this recipe?
Make sure to tag @foodiewithfam on Instagram and #hashtag it #foodiewithfamily so I can check it out!
JCPenney also keeps Ty stylish while cooking courtesy of the affordable and on-trend Arizona Jeans line. My guys are tough on clothes, and Arizona Jeans shirts and pants hold up well enough to be passed on down to the brother behind them in line. Given their low starting price, I’d call that a bargain and a half. And now – a chance for one Foodie with Family reader to enter to win a $100 JCPenney Gift Card! All you need to do is answer the following question: What makes your family uniquely you? How do you stand out?
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Reader's Thoughts...
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
Well done, Ty! I’d totally eat that sammie for breakfast…or anytime for that matter.
Lora H says
The family that always does what they can to help. From charities to fundraising to smaller things like being a team parent (for my kid’s sports teams), and helping out at their school.
Matt Robinson says
Ty is my kind of kid, this is exactly what we all love here!
Samantha says
Big fan of breakfast sandwiches. Ty is such a great recipe developer! Also a very snazzy dresser!
Ginny McMeans says
Ty makes an amazing sandwich. The sandwich maker really makes it perfect and so easy for kids to use. Love it!
Heather Spooner says
My family is unique because we encourage each person’s individuality. Whether its in cooking favorite foods, enjoying hobbies together, or learning something new together. Thanks!
Clare says
We had a sandwich maker when I was growing up. After my mother passed away and we were dividing her things, we all scrambled for the sandwich maker. They make the greatest grilled cheese or grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. One of eleven, I was always on KP duty.
Lauren kelly Nutrition says
Wow, Ty this looks incredible! I can’t wait to make this!
Karen says
Our family is uniquely involved in scouting. I opened my kitchen to 6 9 year old boys last night to make pizza and talk about what they want to do this year.
Karen D. says
We are homeschoolers who do school during the summer and take off in the winter to camp. (We live in Central Florida so summers are unbearable.) My kids like rugged clothes that last – cargo pants, jeans, Columbia fishing shirts, and hiking boots. Usually they prefer to wear their own distinct colors – my oldest has always worn green,. my daughter wears purple, and my youngest loves anything blue. It all started when they were little (3 babies in 3 years) and their cups, toothbrushes, etc. were color coordinated to tell them apart. It just stuck.
Bren says
Our family is very special, we have 3 boys, ages 20, 17 and 11. We are always laughing and enjoy each other’s company. We go to football games and tailgate, we go camping and enjoy playing games together. I am a very lucky mom.
Kara S says
Our family is unique because we have a family business while homeschooling our youngest. We hope to train the kids so that one day they can take over the business!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
What a fun and delicious sandwich!! He definitely has real talent in the kitchen. And that little sandwich maker is something I just might need to find!
Mindi says
https://twitter.com/mindiallen/status/501362486034313217
check out this breakfast sandwich and stylish kid! #sweepstakesentry
Mindi says
We just moved to a new state. My kids are getting ready to start new schools including my daughter who is deaf. she will be going to the state school for the deaf for this year.
Jennifer says
This sandwich sounds fantastic. We are scrambling to get into back to school mode. My guys range from 6 to 19, so we’ve got most of the stages covered.
Cassie says
Ty wins my heart today! I adore this sandwich. You can’t go wrong with sourdough!!
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
YUM! Those sandwiches look delicious. And I love Ty’s shirt. I’ve been scouring stores for a good first day of school look for my 9-year-old.
Rebecca says
I got that shirt on sale for $9 marked down from $30! Quick! Make a JCP run and grab one! They’re Arizona brand!
Mindy C. says
We’re the disheveled family with three incredible (and incredibly different from each other) big sisters and one amazing baby brother who also happens to rock an extra 21st chromosome.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
Oh man. I am SO with Ty on this breakfast sandwich. It is amazing!