Cheap Eats: Crackers 'n' Eggs

Dear Lissy,
You're lying pale and weak on the couch by the stove, exhausted from over 12 hours with a nasty stomach bug.  Daddy was up with you all night and is feeling low, too.  Eight years of solo duty on diapers is definitely paying off!  I feel a smidge guilty when you kids get the stomach flu, but a deal's a deal.  I've got you on the usual: ginger tea, dilute apple juice, chicken broth, and popsicles.  For the rest of us hale and hardy folks, I'm trying to make quick meals.  Crackers 'n' Eggs is an easy, hearty meal that adapts to any time of day.  The taste is bland like french toast, but the texture is as firm and chewy.

Crackers 'n' Eggs

from The Cracker Barrel:  Old Fashioned Country Cooking

2 eggs

1 cup milk

4 oz Saltines ( We prefer unsalted)

2 Tbsp butter

In a medium bowl, whisk eggs and milk together.  Crumble crackers into the egg mixture and stir gently.  The batter will be lumpy.  Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.  Pour in the egg and cracker mixture and cook, covered, for about 5 minutes.  The bottom should be golden brown and the "pancake" quite firm.  Flip and cook for another 5 minutes until done (golden brown on the bottom, and completely firm.  Cut into four wedges and serve with maple syrup or jam.

Mom's Notes

•  Add a little cinnamon and vanilla for French Toast Pancakes
• Top with orange marmalade and whipped cream for teatime
• Add chopped sausage, ham, or bacon and top with cheese for a heartier breakfast.
• Add herbes de provence to the egg mixture, and saute a quick veggie mix (zucchini, onions, and mushrooms is a favorite) to top a wedge.
• Spread with apple butter, top with baby spinach and chopped bacon
• Top with marinara and cheese and run it under the broiler for "pizzas"
• Spread with fig preserves and top with prosciutto, provolone, and baby greens
• Top with shredded chicken or taco meat, salsa, sour cream, black olives, shredded lettuce, and grated cheese for a Mexican style meal.
• Top with 50/50 sour cream & mayo, dill, and cucumber slices for an afternoon treat.  Add a bit of salmon or tuna to turn it into a meal.

I can still buy saltine style crackers for 88 cents a box at our local Wal-Mart, so this meal is as low cost as any I make.  I'm making myself another cup of green tea with grapefruit seed oil to try to avoid this round of illness.  Hopefully you'll be back to your sparkly self by tomorrow!

Loving my sick little bug,

Momma