Recipe: Breakfast Nachos with Bacon

Who doesn’t love nachos? This hearty and nutritious dish is sure to be enjoyed with family or friends. And well, it’s just perfect any mealtime!

Sweet potatoes are loaded with antioxidants and quite high in Beta Carotene. (a precursor to Vitamin A) They are also prized for being low on the glycemic index meaning they help to slow the release of glucose in the blood. So for anyone wanting to get healthier this year, you should consider adding this delicious root veggie to your meal  plan.

Breakfast Nachos

What You Need

1-2 Large sweet potatoes
1 Large onion
1 sweet bell pepper
1 zucchini
1/2 package of Alberta pork bacon
2 farm fresh eggs (or more if desired)
1 cup eggs whites (for a lighter version)
small block of quality cheese (I used old white cheddar)
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
fresh parsley
Salsa

What To Do

  1. Chop veggies (you can use whatever you have on hand) and slice sweet potato into thin slices. Set veggies aside for now and arrange potato slices on parchment paper lined baking sheet as you would nachos. Sprinkle them lightly with olive oil. Bake at 375 F for approximately 20 mins depending on thickness.
  2. While the potatoes are baking, chop bacon and add the veggie mixture to a medium sized fry pan. Sauté for about 10 mins on med heat or until bacon is cooked. Remove and set aside.
  3. Scramble eggs along with egg whites and lightly fry in the same pan used for cooking veggies and bacon. Do not overcook.
  4. Remove the potatoes from the oven while arranging the veggies along with the eggs on to the potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese if desired. Bake again for a couple minutes, enough to melt cheese.
  5. Remove and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Serve with your favourite salsa. Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy:  Wildheart Fitness & Nutrition

 

Smokin’ Q BBQ Competition – Lynnwood Ranch

This past weekend the hubby and I had the pleasure of attending a Smokin’ Q Barbecue Competition at Lynnwood Ranch – Aldersyde, Alberta.  A beautiful ranch style venue situated riverside just minutes south of Calgary.

This is their 2nd annual event (sat-sun) beginning with a ‘Feast and Frolic’ on Saturday evening where folks get to vote for their favourite competitor then devour a sensational southern style meal prepared at the ranch kitchen followed by dancing, live entertainment and a cash bar.

IMG_0377

It wasn’t long after we arrived, the room was buzzing with chatter and I’m guessing there must have been at least 300 people in attendance to this sold out event.

At our table, we were greeted with a display of masterfully assembled appetizers by some very talented pit masters whom travelled from BC and all over Alberta and Saskatchewan to compete in the event. Voting for my favourite was not easy, each tasty bite offered a unique and distinct flavour. Admittedly, I quickly learned there are more levels to smoking than I’d experienced before.

IMG_0373

The smell of smoke and bbq was everywhere and lucky for us, we were chosen first up for dinner! We filled our plates while chefs carved up some tender and juicy protein which consisted of tender AAA applewood smoked brisket along with our very own Alberta pork in the form of sweet and savoury baby back ribs (To which I happily helped myself to two!)

IMG_0409

Sides were house made caesar salad, a delicious blend of roasted pepper medley baked beans, sweet grilled corn on the cob, perfectly roasted savoury carrots and green beans and country slaw. And I certainly will not forget their loaded mashed potatoes with double – smoked bacon!! Yum!

IMG_0405

 IMG_0406

To tell you the truth, I didn’t even have dessert because there wasn’t all that much room left! BUT rumour has it, the warm apple crumble and ice-cream was pretty darn good!

Sunday was hopping when the family and I showed up early afternoon for the second event – ‘Smokin’ Q‘ Now it was competition time! Crews gave their samples of various categories to the judges while the public sampled some fresh, smoky pork, chicken and beef. Nothing beats a warm summer day with cold drinks, amazing food and the company of others. Just check out this view from the top of the hill…

IMG_0439

There were other vendors, attractions and activities such as; hay rides, classic cars, drone demonstrations, 4H club and of course Lynnwood’s very own Ranch BBQ Food Truck serving up some of the best pulled pork around!

IMG_1860 IMG_1853 IMG_1850

Of course the day would not be complete without some recognition and prize money. The competition was fierce and I congratulate all the competitors in this event. A special shout out to Arrowhead North BBQ, as they were this years overall Grand Champion!

IMG_1895

For the full list of competitors and their rankings in each category: Event Winners – Smokin Q

Despite a slight case of the meat sweats, I have to say, it was a smokin’ good time had by all. Thanks again to Gus and Wendy Leduc of Lynwood Ranch, I’ll definitely be back again next year!