Double F, as in 'Flavorful' and 'Frugal'. Cheap need not mean without flavor, given even a tiny effort.
Breakfast musings this morning turned into a country-culinary masterpiece. That's the basic principle of 'The Pleasant Peasant'.
Ingenuity, frugality, and flavor.
I like using leftovers when I can. It's a habit retained from times when money, and food, were a bit... intermittent. So, to the chill chest I go!
In the fridge I found a bowl with the remains of dinner, two days removed. About 6 quarters of roast potato, and a chunk of roast beef. A plan came together fast, in line with the teachings of the brilliant Roberta X. Hash!
In the big bowl beside the stove, where fresh goodies live, I spied a shallot. The plan gets better!
Choppity choppity, mixity mixity, into the pan it goes. Butter, salt, pepper. Set to medium low, and lid on. Paprika will make an appearance when it comes time to flip and stir. A bit of green chili sauce too, I imagine.
The lid keeps things from drying out, as leftover potatoes are wont to do. Cook time is short, since everything except the shallot is pre-cooked, and shallots barely need to sweat before they are perfect. Call it 20 minutes on medium, stirring twice and adding the Paprika and green chili sauce.
If ever a dish could benefit from a few dashes of Green Tabasco, this is it. It makes the flavor explode, taking it to a whole new level.
The scent of this cooking is enticing, so sit back and sip your coffee for a bit. The hash needs to spend time undisturbed, so it crusts a little on the bottom. It makes a world of difference.
When it's 95% done, start a couple fresh eggs in whatever style you like. I prefer sunny side, with very loose yolks.... because that's part of The Plan.
Why? I have a theory, which is simply this; There are few sauces in the world that can lovingly bloom a dish as well as a split yolk from a sunny side egg. It's rich, easy, and makes flavors meld and pop. Many cuisines around the world recognize this, and I pay homage to their wisdom.
The salsa? Color, flavor, and there was just a dollop left in the jar. Frugality wins the day!
