While Mike was chasing Tunas in the Ocean on Saturday, did I chase the dream of hitting it big in the Casino. One must wonder though about American Casino culture. When my parents would plan a special night out back in the day, they would go to the Casino. My mum would get all dolled up, get her hair done, wear a very nice evening gown, her best jewelry and a fur coat (I know I know but it was the 70’s) and my dad would put on his best suit and also make sure that the car was spic and span.
The first time I visited a casino in Germany was for my 18th birthday and I still remember that my mum bought me a special outfit for the occasion. I was very exited to go to a casino and the entire experience was very exclusive. The Casino was located in a beautiful old castle, the inside decorated with the most expensive antiques, humongous shiny Chrystal chandeliers, the finest rugs and huge golden mirrors. The actual “gambling room” were two enormously big rooms for German standards and there were no slot machines just tables to play Roulette, Black Jack, Baccarat and maybe Poker – I am not sure people played poker at that time in German Casino’s. definitely no Craps table. But that might have all changed by now.
My sweet friend Tina spent my wedding anniversary with me at Snoqualmie Casino and we had a terrific time playing the Little rich piggy/wiggling Elvis as well as Texas Tina slot machines, eating delicious Sushi for dinner and then hitting it big at the Craps table and by hitting it big I mean growing $20 to $130. But I have to tell you, if you are into people watching the Casino might not be the most inspiring people watching place. I have never seen so many unhealthy looking and bad dressed people like I have seen in American Casinos. I also got the feeling that quite a few people were gambling with money needed to make a living and not spare money you don’t worry about losing. With all that said I still enjoy my once a year Casino visit dreaming that one day I might be hitting the Jackpot with a dollar I put into a slot machine while waiting for a friend.
After our late night out (wow we made it past midnight, which is quite the accomplishment these days for Tina and myself) and a good night sleep breakfast consistet of Passion Fruit Ice Cream (I made it this week and it is SOOOO fricking good that I had to have Tina taste it first thing in the morning), Brazilian Cheese Bread and the below pretty little Hash Brown egg nests with a side of breakfast sausages. I made this particular batch in Silicon muffin forms and it came out fine and tasted great but I think the Hash Browns will bake up more crispy in the regular muffin tins.
Hash Brown Egg Nests
Ingredients (serves 8).
- 15 oz. frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 medium eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon Cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ tablespoon parsley, chopped
- Optional: 2 avocados, sliced and chilled and/or breakfast sausages
Directions:
- Mix hash browns, salt, pepper, olive oil and 1 cup Cheddar cheese in a mixing bowl
- Grease the muffin pan and divide hash brown mixture. Use your fingers to pack them tightly and shape them into nests
- Bake at 425 degrees F or until the edges have browned and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes
- Crack a medium egg into each nest and season with salt and pepper to taste
- Top with crumbled bacon, 1 tablespoon cheddar cheese and parsley
- Bake at 350 degrees F until the egg whites set, about 13 to 16 minutes
- Let it cool, gently slide a knife along the edges and use a fork to lift it out of the pan
- Dish and serve with chilled avocado slices and/or breakfast sausages
Guten Appetit!
A German in Seattle 