“You do not like them so you say. Try them! Try them! and YOU MAY!” Dr. Seuss, Green Eggs and Ham
Have you ever wondered what Dr. Seuss had in mind when he penned his famous children’s book? I’m afraid I always envisioned some unappealing eggs dyed Grinch green. No longer! Prince Charming made me a delicious surprise breakfast of oven-baked eggs nestled in a bed of kale with bits of salty ham sprinkled all over it and announced excitedly it was Green Eggs and Ham. The recipe was clipped from a recent Costco magazine via the cookbook “Sheet Pan Suppers” by Molly Gilbert. I don’t think healthy kale was at all popular in Dr. Seuss’ day, but I know he would do a happy dance eating this tasty creation inspired by his book. The original recipe called for 8 to 12 eggs to feed 4 to 6 but we scaled it down to 4 eggs for two of us. It also called for a ham steak. We used leaner Canadian back bacon which is really ham. The back bacon is already cooked allowing a reduction of the overall cooking time. The beauty of this dish is that it is prepared on a sheet pan for ease of cooking and cleaning up, a great way to start any day. Easily adaptable for the number of people you are serving. Feel free to recite Dr. Seuss’s beloved classic while you cook!
Sheet Pan Green Eggs and Ham
Adapted from “Sheet Pan Suppers” by Molly Gilbert
- 6 slices of Canadian back bacon, chopped in bite size chunks
- cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cups of packed chopped kale
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ounce of crumbled feta
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- crusty bread to serve
- Preheat oven to 375F with a rack in the middle.
- Line a sheet pan with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Spread the back bacon across the pan and cook 3 minutes.
- Remove with a slotted spoon, preserving any cooking juices.
- Toss the kale with the olive oil and the cooking juices right on the pan. Bake 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the oven and create 4 wells in the kale into each you will crack the eggs. Sprinkle with the feta and the back bacon, some fresh pepper and sea salt. I would recommend tasting before salting as the ham and feta impart a lot of salt to the dish and it is easy to oversalt. Return to bake about 10 minutes until the whites are set and the yolks still runny. Serve immediately with some crusty bread or toast. Serves 2. Double the recipe for 4.
If only I could get Joe to try kale…very colorful.
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I think Joe was Dr. Seuss’ target audience! Johanne Lamarche
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I would definitely eat these green eggs and ham dish. What kind of kale do you prefer? I’ve only prepared kale once and didn’t love it. I was told to try baby kale. What do you think?
Baby kale is much more tender and cooks more quickly as well. So hopefully that will be more palatable to you. Cutting out part of the tough stem helps too, Julie. You can save it for the stock pot!
Johanne Lamarche
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Thanks Johanne! I’ll give it a try.
How very clever! Loved Dr. Seuss when our girls were growing up. I like the idea baking it all on a sheet pan. I can see this nutritious breakfast on Boxing Day when things need to simmer down a bit 🙂
A great idea for healthy post holiday dining. We had it again with portobello mushrooms and bacon today and it was really good! I know you’ll come up with your own fabulous adaptation Loretta! Merry Christmas!
Johanne Lamarche
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I would happily eat this for dinner! What a great recipe, thanks Johanne!
Jenna
I’m with you too Jenna! Dinner or breakfast, it’s good anytime!
Johanne Lamarche
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This was one of my girls favorite books when they were little and I always had so much fun reading it to them. You are so clever to turn the idea into a delicious sheet pan. I think this would be a great recipe for breakfast, brunch or supper. Really wonderful. I wish you a happy Holiday and I look forward to another year following your posts and keeping up with your life. T
I am so happy to take you down memory lane and remember fond times with your daughters, Teresa. We did so much reading out loud and the rhyming books were just so much fun to read. Was Jamberry also a favorite of your girls’? Did you make green eggs and ham? Merry Christmas to you and a happy blogging year ahead. You are a favorite, in case you didn’t already know.💕
Johanne Lamarche
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Love this post Johanne. Seuss’s publisher challenged him to write a book with fewer than 50 words. Green Eggs And Ham was the very impressive result!! One of my favorites. “Sam, Sam, Sam I am.”
I grow my own kale and will definitely be making this!!
Thanks for this bit of trivia Lindy! I had no idea Seuss was challenged to write a book with less than 50 words. Such a fun result. He was a creative genius and I love how so many generations have grown up reciting his books out loud or in our heads! I am impressed you grow your own kale. We have made this so many times and it is also really good with portobellos and bacon instead of the ham. But then, I couldn’t call it…..! Merry Christmas!
Johanne Lamarche
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Joyeux Noel to you Johanne & all the very best for 2017! I’m making your tarte au sucre over the holidays! xo
Joyeux Noël Lindy! My mom will be thrilled to know you are making her tarte au sucre. Enjoy! Looking forward to an inspiring 2017 on your blog!
Johanne Lamarche
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