Up at 6, whipping egg whites to fold into chocolate waffle batter, I have only myself to blame. Ten year old Nick brokered a deal in which I have to make his "Breakfast of Choice" for 7 consecutive days.
Love the tram in the background; the famous Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Tram.
He earned this privilege by documenting his reading minutes on his "Reading Blitz" poster. Shaped like a terrain park, he gets to color in a square for every 30 minutes spent reading (not including reading at school). Each "jump" is associated with a little prize, the first of which brings me to the breakfast deal.
If he fills in the bonus prize, I'll have to make his choice of dinner AND dessert.
To make matters worse, he designed a menu that vaguely resembles those room service cards that you hang on your doorknob at a nice hotel. Room service, by the way, that young Nick has never been allowed to order at those rare nice hotel stays.
As you can see, today's breakfast order was Chilaquiles and Hot 'Choclate'. I do love a Mexican breakfast that uses up stale corn tortillas.
No, I do not have to serve him breakfast in his room; I do have my scruples and a small amount of negotiating power left.
The one bright spot in this deal, agreed to in support of his literary education, is that Broiled Grapefruit has made his short list of favorite breakfasts.
Broiled Grapefruit is so easy that it barely requires a recipe. You only need a gentle reminder to make it now and then, to perk up your morning, and make you feel like you are having breakfast at a fancy hotel.
I like my broiled grapefruit a little burnt, just like my marshmallows.
The first time I made Broiled Grapefruit for Nick, he called it "exotic". I guess a caramelized tropical fruit is a pretty exotic breakfast for a kid from Wyoming, who normally subsists on oatmeal and pancakes.
The best part, of course, is squeezing the juice into your spoon once you've eaten the fruit. That part always reminds me of my Dad.
Once I have survived the demands of the Reading Blitz, I'll have to ask Nick to make me one of his famous breakfasts, usually involving Nutella, crepes and an impressive mess in the kitchen.
Nick making crepes from his friend Will's recipe.
Nick learned some crepe-making tips from buddies Holden and Will. Who says 10 year old boys only talk about soccer and skiing?
Jack with his Nutella banana crepe and Chunky Monkey Smoothie. Now maybe he will put on some weight!
Broiled Grapefruit
- one big juicy grapefruit
- 1/2-1 tsp sugar
- Cut grapefruit in half. Cut around the edge and each grapefruit segment.
- Sprinkle with sugar.
- Place under broiler until nicely caramelized.
