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...
amy pugmire says
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/504517780167614464
amy pugmire says
I think we are unique cause we try to be authentic and not worry about what people think about us.
Cherice says
Our family is unique because we all share a love for music. We kind of have our own family band!
Jessie C. says
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/503737868423266305
Jessie C. says
Personality and style make my family unique.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/503655158090571777
Susan Smith says
Our family is unique because we live on a budget and don’t use credit cards.
Madeline says
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/503652594305081344
Madeline says
Our family is unique because we volunteer together at the Humane League.
Carolsue says
My family is unique because they all really get along and are willing to put others interests ahead of their own.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
mysweetiepiepie says
My family is uniquely me because we are all happy, fun-loving people.
amy pugmire says
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/502681825865519105
amy pugmire says
By doing something kind to someone everyday. (anonymously) whether its a smile, a favor a hug.
Dandi D says
I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dandidaffyhill/status/502653976513630208
Dandi D says
We are unique because we live very conservatively in a very liberal environment.
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/502614256571789312
Denise L says
Tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/502551600838492160
Denise L says
My family is crazy, does that count? Oh, and my two kids are 17 years apart. Crazy, like I said.
Ashley H says
We are a bi-racial family with a beautiful baby so that helps us stand out.
Kerry says
We probably stand out because my 14 year old is 6 foot 1 right now! He makes people turn heads for sure:)