Gourmet Breakfast...Rustic Style...IDI!

Being a TWT requires a lot of work, planning, and preparation. Planned dinner parties, perfect complexions, self control (around the candy dish at least,) and being ahead of all the ever changing trends for a start. But what about those rare days when you and SO can lounge in your Pratesi sheets, bathrobes, and undone hair? Occasionally, these days will happen, when even your mood for breakfast isn't complicated or decadent. That's why all TWT's should keep something gourmet, yet rustically authentic in the pantry for these laid-back IDI (I deserve it!) mornings. Whether your chef, maid, or just you and SO make breakfast, be sure to keep these pancake mixes on hand;

Vosges Bacon Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix 3 for $32

Stonewall Kitchen Banana Pancake Mix $8.95

Williams Sonoma Dutch Baby German Pancake Mix $9.50

Crate and Barrel Organic Meyer Lemon Pancake Mix $6.95

Dean and Deluca Oat and Honey Pancake Mix $8

The Breakfast Every TWT Should Know How to Make..

Few things are more important than a TWT (Trophy Wife in Training) who can cook. Of course, when you become a true Trophy Wife, the possibility of a chef or cook may present itself, but until that time, it's very important to have good kitchen skills. You will need to not only know the basics of culinary information, but the ability to present food in an impressive manner. The time will come when your SO (signifigant other) needs to host a dinner for somebody important at your home. Naturally it would be easier to just pop on by to Dean and Deluca and pick up a few cheese trays with a nice bottle of wine...but your true skills are being tested. A TWT should be able to create a sophiscated menu, and execute it perfectly, meanwhile being a great host and staying fresh and coiffed. This can all be very daunting, but I promise that with the right organizational skills and time, it should be no problem at all (maybe even enjoyable, especially if you have a friend who volunteers to help cook in trade for a glass of vino.) I am going to start off our cooking section with the first meal of the day; breakfast. Now the chances of you having SO's boss over for breakfast is very low, however, being able to prepare a gorgeous breakfast for SO while he sleeps is a huge accomplishment. Anybody can fry up some pancakes and slop on some maple syrup, but not everybody can whip up Eggs Benedict first thing in the A.M. Here is a recipe (but feel free to add smoked salmon or bacon to it):

Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce

ingredients (serves 6) :

3 egg yolks
1 tbsp cream
250g unsalted butter (i used only 1/2), diced
1 tbsp lemon juice or white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
dash of cayenne pepper
directions :
1. place egg yolks and cream in double boiler or set the bowl over a pot of barely simmering water and whisk lightly with a wire whisk until the yolks are thickened with the consistency of cream.
2. add the butter bit by bit and stir until well corporated.
3. add the lemon juice or vinegar a drop at a time and remove from heat. add in salt & cayenne pepper.