You know about my love affair with breakfast…if you’re in the same boat, I’ve got exciting news for you!  Along with 31 other food blogging friends, I am having Brunch Week this week in honor of Mother’s Day.  All week we’ll be bringing you delicious ideas to celebrate the special mommy in your life!

Today, I’ve got a beautiful egg white quesadilla to share!  On holidays and birthdays, typically, a ton of extra calories are consumed – all in the name of celebration.  This protein packed dish is perfectly accompanied by fruit to give mom a delicious treat that won’t leave her feeling sluggish.

Oh, and for info about all the great giveaways, I promise, it’s all at the end of the post!

These quesadillas are so delicious, addicting, and are even man-approved.  They’re perfect as a post-workout meal, breakfast in bed, or brunch for a crowd.  The final heat step is in the oven so many quesadillas could be made individually, then heated all together so everyone can enjoy brunch at the same time.

Egg White Quesadilla Recipe serves 2
6-8 egg whites
2 10inch tortillas
1C fresh baby spinach leaves
3/4C mozzarella cheese
1/2 bell pepper
2 scallions
1/2 jalapeño
2 cloves of garlic
1/2t Montreal steak seasoning
1/4t paprika
1/4t salt
hot sauce to taste optional
oil to spray pan

Begin by dicing all vegetables and garlic.  Meanwhile, warm a small skillet to medium heat with a few spritzes of oil in it.

Sauté half the peppers and half the white parts of the scallions for about 4 minutes or until tender on medium heat.  I used a small skillet that served as the perfect measurement for one quesadilla.  (Thus, why I only put half the ingredients in the pan at a time since I was making two quesadillas.)

Meanwhile, prepare tortillas by sprinkling a light layer of cheese on top, and preheating the oven to 350.

Separate the egg yolks and whites (or cheat and use egg whites from a carton) and stir in all the spices with the egg whites.  If you want it spicier, add in hot sauce to the egg mixture.  Once the peppers are soft, reduce the heat to low-medium and add in the garlic and spinach to the pan, stirring continually to wilt the spinach.

Pour half the egg-spice mixture into the pan, making sure the pan is still oiled.

As difficult as it will be, don’t touch the eggs.  If the heat is on low-medium, they won’t burn.  After about 3 minutes, check the liquid on the top of the egg layer.  If it is minimal to non-existent, it’s time to flip!  With a spatula, carefully lift around the whole edge of the circle until you can flip it over.  Spray a bit more oil on the pan as you complete the flip.  Trust me.

My circle stayed almost completely in tact.  Cook for 2-4 minutes longer.

Now it’s quesadilla building time.  Layer the egg circle onto the prepared tortilla with cheese, and sprinkle half the green parts of the scallions with another light layer of cheese on top.  Or heavy layer of cheese if you wish!  I don’t judge.

Fold the whole thing in half, and place on a baking sheet.  If you want both sides evenly crispy without having to flip it in the oven, place an oven-safe cooling rack on top of the baking sheet.

Repeat to make the 2nd quesadilla.  Once both quesadillas are ready for the oven, place in the 350 degree oven for 5 minutes to let the cheese fully melt together.  If you want the outside slightly browned, broil for just under two minutes.  Just look at that perfectly melted cheese.

Serve with tomatoes, scallions, Cilantro-Lime Ranch Pesto, fruit kabobs, chips & guacamole, or whatever else you see fit!

If you’re making breakfast in bed, you could even make mom smile with some avocado!

For more great brunch ideas, check out these other #BrunchWeek posts from today:

Beverages

Mocha Frappuccino by Around My Family Table

Pear Hibiscus Brunch Cocktail by Rachel Cooks

Pineapple-Basil Tea by The Kitchen Prep

Strawberry Rose Sangria by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen

Watermelon Rosemary Champagne Cocktail by Vanilla Lemonade

Eggs

Asparagus and Bacon Quiche by Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Cheesy Arugula Quiche with Hash Brown Crust by Real Housemoms

Cherry Tomato and Chorizo Omelette by Katie’s Cucina

Overnight Blintz Bake by White Lights on Wednesday

Tomato and Mozzarella Quiche by Love and Confection

Breads + Grains + Cereals

Bananas Foster French Toast by by Cravings of a Lunatic

Cinnamon Raisin Bread by Katie’s Cucina

Mrs. Lund’s Fresh Plum Cake by The Vintage Cook

Spinach and Goat Cheese Muffins by Culinary Flavors

Strawberry Scones by Kokocooks

Meats

Bacon Canapés with Oranges and Maple Yogurt by Cook the Story

Chicken Bacon Ranch Panini by Sweet Remedy

Pancetta Wrapped Chicken by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner

Fruits + Vegetables

Honey-Watermelon Soup by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Strawberry Mascarpone Tart by Kelly Bakes

Desserts + Sweets

Chocolate Chip Banana Bundt Cake by Take A Bite Out Of Boca

 

 

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Did I mention that #BrunchWeek has some incredible sponsors with some incredible prizes?  Enter here!  And keep scrolling for all the info on the amazing prizes!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

We are so grateful to have such amazing sponsors for Brunch Week who have given us a fabulous bunch of incredible (INCREDIBLE!) prizes for our giveaway.

 

Prize #1:

From California Walnuts one lucky winner will receive:

A KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer model number: KSM150PSGA. Mixer comes with: 2-piece pouring shield, 5-quart stainless steel bowl, flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip.

A Walnut Prize Pack containing 1lb burlap bag of fresh California Walnuts, 1 portion control tin, 1 heart shaped cookie cutter, 1 flexible cutting mat, 1 mini spatula, 1 chip clip and 1 water pouch. .

Prize #2: (but with lots of winners)

From Lodge Cast Iron one lucky winner will receive:

One lucky winner from the rafflecopter below will receive a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, three silicone pieces (a hot handle holder, a pot holder and a trivet).

In addition, one lucky participant from our TweetChat on Sunday May 5th from 2-3pm Eastern will also win a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet and the three silicone pieces. PLUS five lucky participants will get a set of the three silicone pieces. (Search for hashtag #BrunchWeek to follow along. Use the hashtag in tweets during the chat to enter to win).

AND, everyone who comments in our PinChatLive on Saturday May 11th between 2-3pm Eastern will also be entered to win one prize of a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet and a set of three silicone pieces and 4 prizes that contain three silicone pieces each. (For the PinChatLive go to The BrunchWeek Pinterest Board at 2pm on May 11th and comment on the questions pins there. Refresh your screen often so you don’t miss any new questions).

Prize #3:

From Flavors of Summer one lucky winner will receive:

A Flavors of Summer Entertaining Package including (get this!) a $100 gift card to Sur la Table! In addition to the amazing gift card, this entertaining package includes a variety of goodies including cookbooks, kitchen utensils, entertaining partyware like a chip and dip server, beverage container and more. From free products, to fun stuff for decorating – you’ll be able to make the most of your next summer party.

Prize #4:

From Black Gold Farms one lucky winner will receive:

A Martha Stewart Collection Kitchen Prize Package including a 3 quart Enameled Cast Iron Casserole, Magnetic Spice Grinders, a Pot Clip, Cheese Grater and a Silicone Head Spatula.

Prize #5:

From the Food and Wine Conference and #SundaySupper:

The Food and Wine Conference is being held in Orlando, Florida from July 19-21st at the unbelievably beautiful Rosen Shingle Creek. Speakers include Sara Moulton (of Food Network fame), Michael Green (a true celebrity in the wine and spirits world) and Jaden Hair (cookbook author and creator of Steamy Kitchen). This prize is for a single Full Conference Pass with a value of $250. (Accommodations can be booked at the Rosen Shingle Creek at a highly discounted rate for all conference attendees).

Prize #6:

From Bob’s Red Mill one lucky winner will receive:

A Bob’s Red Mill Kitchen Prize Pack: A beautifully emblazoned Bob’s Red Mill canvas tote bag containing the Bob’s Red Mill Cookbook, assorted Bob’s Red Mill products, a Salter® Baker’s Dream Aquatronic Baking Scale, Norpro® Silicone Heat Resistant Spatula, Best® Standard French Whip and a $40 Bob’s Red Mill Gift Card.

Prize #7:

From Whole Foods Orlando one lucky winner will receive:

The Whole Foods Orlando Breakfast In Bed Basket: Mixing Bowl, Allegro Organic Breakfast Blend Coffee, Allegro Coffee Mug, Cooking Whisk, Microplane, Delamotte Champagne, 365 Organic Amber Maple Syrup, Whole Pantry Cinnamon Sticks, French Brioche and a $25 Whole Foods Market Gift Card

Prize #8:

From Whole Foods Orlando one lucky winner will receive:

Whole Foods Flavorful Delights Basket: Full of fun items and ingredients to play with in the kitchen: 5 qt Colander,, Servino Homemade Pastas, 365 Organic Balsamic Vinegar, Macadamia Oil, Marmigiano Regiano, Key Lime Savory Oil, Branfords Original Hot Sauce, Cheese Grater, Vosges Black Pearl Bar Chocolate, Vosges Fire Bar Chocolate, R.C. Buck’s Gourmet Rub – Sweet Orange Habanero, Divina Pickles – Sweet Watermelon Rind, Composta Di Fragole – Strawberry Compote with Modena Balsamic Vinegar, Sabatino Tartufi – Truffle and Honey

Prize #9:

From Stonyfield Organic one lucky winner will receive:

 

A Stonyfield Kitchen Prize Pack: A Prize Pack full of yogurt fun From Stonyfield Organic Yogurt is just ONE of the amazing prizes in our #BrunchWeek 2013 giveaway.Preserve Colander, Preserve portable yogurt carrier, Preserve cutting board, Stonyfield cookbook, Stonyfield oven mitt, Travel sandwhich carrier made out of 100% reused plastic bottles, Stonyfield water bottle, Stonyfield tote bag, 10 free cups of Stonyfield Greek.