Saying Thank You with Breakfast Nachos

Being a grown up takes some getting used to.

It seems like everything comes down to four letter words: work, rent, bill(s).

I vividly remember thinking it would be soooo much fun! Now, I feel like some old lady, when I can't help but look at my toddler class while they are doing whatever they can to avoid nap time, as I sit there thinking, "I would give just about ANYTHING for someone to include a two hour nap in the middle of my daily itinerary."

Then again... it isn't all bad.

The pro of being an adult can basically be summarized in two, very significant words.

Breakfast. Nachos.

As in, nachos for breakfast.

As in sheer brilliance.

I may have a mild obsession with Joy the Baker. You know how there's that random "dinner party" question... if you could invite any celebrities to a meal who would they be? Well my answer is simple:

Joy the Baker

Paul Rudd

Jason Segal

Yes. In my book Joy the Baker is a legit celebrity.

I am currently going through a phase where I'm baking and cooking just about everything on her website. Then M surprised me with her cookbook. Because he's awesome like that.

And how do you repay awesomeness?

With Breakfast Nachos, that's how.

M & I have had quite the adventurous month. In mid-October we travelled into Toronto for a simcha in honor of my niece, only to find out that my Uncle had just gotten engaged!

Then came the real adventure. Being Canadian and from Montreal more specifically, I really didn't put too much thought into how Hurricane Sandy would affect me. I mean a couple of weeks ago we had a super minor earthquake, if you can even call it that, and it was in the news for days. A storm of this magnitude just wasn't on the radar. Until I realized the date it was set to hit. October 31st. The date of our closest friend's wedding. In New York City.

I've only been to New York once before, and it was right after Hurricane Irene. Like right after. Like the two times I've ever been to New York have both been for less than 24 hours in total and no more than 2 days after a Hurricane (note to self: I don't think New York is the place for me...).

We were set to fly out of Vermont (yes, our journey began with the drive from Montreal to Vermont) and after incessantly checking flight schedules for days, and being assured they were still scheduled, the inevitable happened: on our way into Vermont, the notification on my phone alerted me to the fact that our flight had just been cancelled. We knew we couldn't miss this wedding. They aren't just our friends, we truly consider them our family. The "brother-in-law" and new "sister-in-law" I had always wanted. So we kept driving. The endless "this is closed," "it's too dangerous" messages came in, but M & I kept going. I can't even explain the sheer joy when the bridge we needed to get into town was open as we drove up to it. Ecstatic doesn't even cover it.

The spontaneous road trip in a hurricane wasn't over yet though. Not until a parking debacle, getting lost a few dozen times and then showing up to the hall four hours before anyone else was there! The wedding was such an absolutely beautiful event and really epitomized what a community, friends, family and love can accomplish in just a couple of days. Regardless of the fact that there had been venue changes, traveling issues and chaos, you wouldn't have known it when you walked in and felt the sheer happiness. It was one of the most beautiful, inspiring evenings we've had in a long time and it felt so amazing to be surrounded by family.

I should probably mention I can't drive. So basically M made sure we got there and back, all within 48 hours and that's no small feat with a hurricane in front of him and a total chaotic mess in the passenger seat... i.e. "LOOK at that cloud!!! That's a scary cloud!! Should we pull over?"

I'm fun.

So back to repaying awesomeness with Breakfast Nachos...

After going through all that, I knew Joy could help me find the perfect way to say, "thank you for not leaving me on the side of the road when I started screaming about scary clouds." And what could be a better answer than Breakfast Nachos?!

My version is inspired by Joy's, mixed in with whatever I had in the pantry/ fridge... because y'know when you come across a fantastic idea and you just HAVE to make it right away, even if you don't have all the ingredients and you've got no way to get a grocery store?

Just me... Oh, okay...

Here's to successful, awesome adventures and the best way to say thank you for being one big chaotic mess! Enjoy!

Breakfast Nachos (served 2... don't judge us...)
Inspired by Joy the Baker's Breakfast Nachos 

1 bag of corn tortilla chips (I used grilled red pepper and tomato salsa tortilla chips. AH-MAZING and totally kicked these nachos up a notch!)
1 can of corn, drained
1 can of mixed beans, drained
1 avocado, sliced
1 cup of sliced black olives
2 cups of salsa
2 sunny side up eggs
Shredded "pizza" cheese

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F
Place the tortilla chips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Sprinkle cheese overtop, add another layer of chips and sprinkle more cheese.
Add the corn and beans and sprinkle cheese overtop.
Bake in the oven for 5 minutes. While in oven, prepare eggs.
Remove and add sliced avocado, eggs, olives and extra cheese.