Dinner at Dad's

Breakfast is the ideal meal for Dad’s to make.  While the kids are sleeping in, you can get off to a good start and then let the kids help as they wake up.  When they wake up, the house or apartment smells wonderful, and you have had your coffee or tea or whatever you like in the morning. 

Everyone who saw it remembers the scene in Kramer Vs. Kramer when Dustin Hoffman  burns the eggs, and himself, at his first breakfast endeavor.  If that’s you, then you should leave the Popovers and Bacon off this list for the first time.  However, don’t be a pussy about this.  Popovers are the easiest way I know of to show off at any meal and almost anyone can make them.  Try this once and you’ll know what I mean.

Ingredients (serves 3-4)

• 9 large eggs
• Butter for table
• 1 stick butter
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 8 strips of bacon
• Salt and pepper for eggs
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 cup orange juice

 Equipment

• Stove
• Oven
• Microwave
• Blender
• Frying Pans
• Spatula
• Whisk
• Mixing Bowls
• Muffin Tray
• Wooden spoon

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 425
2. First, we’re going to make the Popovers.  Cut 3 tbs butter from stick and leave remainder out to soften.  Melt for 30 seconds in the microwave.  Never use a metal bowl in the microwave.
3. Break three eggs into your blender.
4. Pour 1 ½ cups of milk in the blender.
5. Add 1 tsp of salt into blender
6. Add 1 ½ cups of flour, place lid on blender and blend at a low speed for 1 minute.  Use a spatula to push flour into bottom of blender so it all mixes.  Don’t push the spatula into the blades or, you know, it’s bad.
7. Take out your muffin pan and fill each cup 2/3 high.  Be sure to fill every other cup so no two are next to each other.
8. Place pan in oven and set cook timer for 30 minutes.  They may be done in less time so you’ll check them in 20.
9. Now, make the bacon, take your large, nonstick pan and let it heat up on a hot stove for three minutes.  Your stove should be set between medium and high heat, about 7 out of 10.  The pan is hot enough if a drop of water quickly sizzles and evaporates.
10. Peel each strip of bacon out of the package and place four in the pan, sitting next to each other but not touching.  Don’t crowd them.  If your pan is hot enough, they won’t stick to the bottom.  They will sizzle loudly and may spatter but don’t worry about it.
11. When the bacon has created enough oil in the pan to coat it, you can turn the strips over.  Take a plate from the cupboard and put two sheets of paper towel on it.  The bacon will be a little more done than it looks in the pan because its heat will continue to cook it.  Remove the strips to the plate with a tongs or fork and place another four strips in the oil.  Because the pan is hotter and oil is already in the pan, these will take less time.
12. Remove the rest of the bacon and set the pan aside to cool down.  Leave the oil in it for now.
13. Now start the eggs, but take a quick look at the popovers.  They should have “popped” and be a light golden brown.  If they are darker brown and look done, take them out now, but they will probably need more time and your eggs await.
14. Now, to the eggs, but we’ll be juggling them all at this point.  Break six eggs in a mixing bowl and stir with your whisk until they are a consistent color and texture. Set aside while you check the popovers. 
15. The popovers will be done when they are nicely browned on top. Using a hot pot holder, take them out of the oven and set them down on a wire cooling rack.  In the few minutes it takes to cook the eggs, they will be cool enough to remove from the pan.
16. Pour the orange juice in the juice glasses and put on the table, along with the silverware and napkins.
17. Pour the extra bacon fat into a cup or bowl and leave a thin layer in the pan for making the eggs.  Set your stove top to medium heat, about 6 out of 10. 
18. Add the eggs.  They should make a crackling sound as they hit the pan.  Don’t worry if they don’t.  Keep stirring with your whisk while adding a little pepper and a little salt.  Just a couple of shakes each.  Your kids will never know.
19. Keep the eggs moving the entire time they are cooking.  In a couple of minutes they will be just a little runny.  Take the pan off of the hot stove and let them sit for a minute while you get the kids to sit down at the table.  They will be perfect to serve on each plate or place in a bowl because they will continue to cook from the heat of the pan and their own heat.  If you overcook them, they will be dry and hard.
20. Holding the muffin pan with a towel or potholder, use a small plastic spatula to gently remove each popover from the pan.  They should fall out fairly easily but may need some help to keep them intact.  Put one on each plate and scoop the eggs onto each plate as well.  Put the rest in a serving bowl for seconds.
21. Be sure to warn the kids that the popovers are hot inside and have to be torn open to let the steam out, not bitten like a cupcake.
22. Enjoy! Popovers are great with honey, butter, jam or just plain.