W. W. R. D.

Also known as the ever-popular catchphrase “What Would Ree Do?” (Yes, Ree Drummond is the new Messiah, haven’t you heard. Her mission – to deliver us from take-out, tv dinners, and fat-free cooking.)
So yesterday, when I found myself on crutches due to what I can only imagine is a pulled groin muscle (I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried. No jokes about me and the yeast getting wild and crazy. Really, talk about perfect timing. NOTE – if this confuses you, read the previous post.), I set my newly purchased edition of The Pioneer Woman Cooks on the floor, genuflected in front of it, and said, “Ree Drummond, queen of all things good and delicious. What would you do?”
No response.

Or so I thought. As I started to absentmindedly flip through the cookbook, checking my watch every few pages to see how much time had passed. (I decided I’d give her five minutes. Pioneer Women are busy. She might be in the middle of rounding up some cattle or cooking something delicious for Marlboro Man. And I wouldn’t want to interfere with that.)

So I’m turning the pages. Turning turning turning. And then all of a sudden, they won’t budge. And I mean, I know that my upper body strength is not what it ought to be. But a page in a cookbook? Really? Really?

I collapse on the floor in despair (how much of this was due to actual despair and how much was my knee giving out due to pain in my inner thigh is unclear) and in my hopelessness, glance down at the page that I am stuck on.

And there it was.

Ree Drummond wanted me to have breakfast for dinner.

And when Ree Drummond tells you to do something, especially if it’s food-related. You do it.

Basic Breakfast Potatoes
Serves 4, adapted from The Pioneer Woman Cooks and PW’s website

2 1/2 lb sweet potato
1 onion
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
salt and pepper, to taste

  • Place potatoes in a large pot and cover entirely with water. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork tender. When they are ready, place the potatoes on a cutting board and dice them into 1-inch pieces.
  • Next cut up an onion into a large, rough dice.
  • In a large skillet heat oil and bacon fat over medium-low heat. Put the onions in the skillet and sauté until they start to turn brown. (You can also use red and green bell peppers diced up. If you do, throw them in at this point).
  • Next, throw in the diced potatoes. Stir well and then slightly press/pack then. Now you will cook them without stirring for several minutes. You want the pan to be hot enough to crisp the potatoes but not hot enough to char them. (Optional step: sprinkle a bit of flour over potatoes as they cook). Cook for several minutes and then flip them with a spatula. Salt and Pepper them as they cook. Cook until desired brownness.
  • 1. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork-tender. When they are done and cool enough to touch, dice them into 1-inch pieces.

    2. Cut up an onion.

    3. Heat oil and butter over medium-high heat. Cook the onion until browned.

    4. Throw in the diced potatoes. Stir well and then pack them in. Cook without stirring or interfering for a few minutes. Then flip them and cook again. Do this until they reach desired brown/crispiness.
    Lazy Chile Rellenos
    Serves 4, adapted from PW’s website

    9 green chili peppers (I used canned, whole, roasted and peeled)
    5 eggs
    1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
    2 cups milk (I used almond milk)
    1/2 tsp paprika
    1/4 tsp cayenne
    salt and pepper to taste

    1. Preheat the oven to 325.

    2. Whisk together all ingredients except for the peppers.

    3. Cut chilies in half. Place half of the chilies in a layer on a greased 9×13 inch pan. Sprinkle with half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat with the remaining chilies and cheddar cheese.

    4. Pour the egg mixture over the top.

    5. Bake for 35-45 minutes.
    As you can see, the Sweet Potato Queen in me has reared it’s ugly head again. Ree used white potatoes. But it has really been too long since I’ve had sweet potatoes. Mostly due to the fact that my attention has been occupied by a certain other orange vegetable. Which I won’t name for fear of setting the sweet potatoes off on a jealous temper tantrum. The sweet potatoes were delicious in this though and contrasted really nicely with the spicy/saltiness of the eggs. Which were fabulous.

    I am submitting this to the current edition of Foodie Fans of the Pioneer Woman, the theme of which is Breakfast/Brunch.

    You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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    41 Responses to WWRD – Lazy Chile Rellenos and Breakfast Potatoes

    1. girlichef says:

      mmmmmm…delicious breakfast (for dinner)!! Oh no, a pulled groin muscle…you poor thing…that must be beyond miserable! I have to try this lazy chile rellenos…yum!

    2. Lea Ann says:

      i love these Lazy Rellenos! Great idea. And Darnit over that pesky injury. I had an injury a couple of months ago and the worst part was not being able to exercise. Hang in there!

    3. Luigi says:

      Interesting combination, never had breakfast potatoes with sweet potatoes. Never heard of Rellenos, wow I am educated.

    4. SE(Denufood) says:

      yummy…perfect combination…the rellenos sounds new to me…bookmarked!!!!

    5. Palidor says:

      Sweet potatoes are far better than regular white potatoes. Hope that delicious “breakfast” gave strength!

    6. Amy says:

      Ooooh, I haven’t had Chile Rellenos in a looong time. I will officially be craving that all day. I have heard all about the fabulous Ree Drummond, but am probably the only one on the planet that still doesn’t own her first cookbook.

      Sorry to hear you’re wobbling about on crutches! Ugh. But, you can be happy knowing that you made someone laugh out loud today. Another great post, Joanne.

    7. Mari says:

      awww koosh I hope you feel better soon!

    8. breakfast sweet potatoes sound yummy and I love chile rellenos! A yummy meal at any time of the day!

    9. Megan says:

      I hope your injury heals soon – because you and the yeast have more bonding to do.

      My mom used to make chile rellenos that way for years – I forgot all about it until now!

    10. monicajane says:

      oh my, I want that breakfast NOW. yum

    11. the breakfast looks great!

      the injury… overtraining? Still on track for your Boston run? I am living my life vicariously through your achievements.

    12. Toni says:

      That Chile Relleno looks awesome! Green Chiles here I come.

    13. teresa says:

      ooowwww! oh you poor thing, take care of yourself! this looks so yummy! i need to get into the pw craze, she seems to be an amazing cook!

    14. Oh! I’m SO excited to try these 🙂 Was craving a new breakfast casserole yesterday and this fits my pantry supplies perfectly. 🙂

      So sorry you’re in rough shape today! Hope you feel better soon 🙂

    15. Bob says:

      Waitwaitwait, Ree has a church? Where is it and how do I get into the potluck? There *is* a potluck, right?

      Hope you feel better, I’ve pulled my groin a time or two myself. Once when I was taking karate when I was a teenager and once when I was working in a warehouse. Not a good time.

    16. AWWWW…that hurts-really does but so hearty a breakfast would set me going-on the track again………….

    17. Shannon says:

      uh oh, hope you feel better soon, it’s good to keep up your strength with meals like this though!

    18. Both of these dishes look great! I quite like the color of sweet potatoes, so I agree that it’s wonderful substitute.

    19. Juliana says:

      Wow, both of them look yummie…specially the lazy chile relleno, love this idea 🙂

    20. Hello,
      You won the 8″ fry pan on my blog. Send me your mailing info. when you get a chance.

    21. Kim says:

      Oh no!! Sorry to hear that you are also injured! Hopefully you will pull out of it in no time and be back to yourself soon. I love how you switched up the breakfast potatoes using the sweet potato. I’m glad to hear her lazy chile rellenos are tasty, looks really good!
      I spent hours last night looking at Ree’s breakfast/brunch recipes trying to pick one and I think I’m gonna have to do the bacon and cheese biscuits. I’m trying to be good, really I am…but they just look so darn irresistible!!

      Get rest and feel better 😀

    22. I hope you are feeling better 🙂

      I am so going to make this on one of those nights when I have like 5 minutes to cook and want a great meal. It looks great 🙂

    23. That sounds painful! I wish you quick recovery! I love breakfast for dinner! This look so comforting and delicious! You cooked while in pain? You rock!

    24. Debinhawaii says:

      Poor you! Hope you feel better soon! Great idea to switch out the potatoes for sweet potatoes–they look scrumptious!

    25. Natalie says:

      you are so witted Joanne, although I know the pain you’re in is no laughing matter…I love how you write…

      This looks so delicious Joanne…I love it…sort of like sweet potato hash browns, the idea totally makes me crave it…and lazy Chile Ranos, …yumeee…! …I find this to be quite an exotic breakfast…perfect to surprise my hubs on sunday morning : ) …

      Sweetie, hope you’re feeling better, the injury sounds painful…I am so sorry. ( Ps : Its me AKA Nat).

    26. I love breakfast for dinner! Looks totally delish.

    27. Chile Rellenos are wonderful and so is breakfast for dinner.

    28. Kelsey says:

      Breakfast for dinner was always a favorite as a child. I seem to forget about it now, thanks for reminding me of that old love. This sounds perfect for both a cold winter’s evening or a lazy weekend breakfast. Thanks!

    29. Kris says:

      great idea to use sweet potato!

    30. Faith says:

      Everything about this meal is fabulous! I love chile rellenos, but I honestly had no idea how to go about making them at home…until now! I’ll definitely be making this soon!

    31. doggybloggy says:

      very entertaining blog you have here – I need to catch up a bit

    32. Elra says:

      You have such a great sense of humor …
      Love the sweet potato Joanne. It’s actually my favorite type of root veggie.

    33. Katy ~ says:

      Oh my goodness I feel as if I should limp in sympathy. That pulled muscle sounds painful, eeks!

      Those rellenos, however, sound GOOD!

    34. sophia says:

      The Sweet Potato Queen does NOT have an ugly head. No way.
      WWSD (What Would Sophia Do)? Exactly the same thing you did, subbing sweet potatoes for the regular boring ones!!

      And dear god…I hope you recover soon, my dear!

    35. Michelle says:

      Sounds delicious to me and breakfast for dinner is a favorite around here! Quick, easy and always good!

    36. I wholeheartedly support your swap of sweet for regular potatoes. Yummier and healthier, I say! PW is really a goddess, isn’t she? These look very delicious and I hope you recover quickly (better leave Mr. Yeast alone for a spell =p). And thank you for your last comment on my post. I’m glad others struggle with the same issue and agree with everything you said.

    37. theUngourmet says:

      You are so right…always listen to Ree! 😀 She is the reason I started blogging in the first place. She was my inspiration and she doesn’t even know it!

      I’ve never thought of having breakfast potatoes in sweet potato form. Great idea! Your dinner/breakfast is fabulous!

    38. Dhanggit says:

      what a blast!! this is the healthiest and yummiest brunch we could ever think of! i love sweet potatoes!!

    39. Muneeba says:

      Ree says she makes a lot of “man food” … but it’s honestly the kind of stuff that I crave when I want some TLC!! Cheesy, carby goodness. With a kick from those mild chiles. Excellent.

    40. Kerstin says:

      Breakfast potatoes are just the best! These are right up my alley – yum! I’m glad you gave the sweet potatoes a chance to shine 🙂

    41. Memória says:

      I’ve never tried chiles rellenos (it should be written “chiles rellenos” since there is more than one chile and “relleno” is the adjective that should agree in number and gender with “chile”) before. I need to try out this recipe. I’ve tried out the breakfast potatoes, though. I messed up on the recipe, so I’ll have to try that out one more time soon. YUM!

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