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Robin Ward

Joe's Diner Midnight Special

Joe’s Diner Midnight Special is an easy one-pan breakfast scramble that is full of protein and fiber to keep you filled and satisfied all morning. It is a low carb, high protein breakfast that is prepared in one pan.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Breakfast, Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ lb lean ground beef (If not using lean, you must drain off the fat after browning the meat.)
  • ⅓ cup onion, diced (about ½ of a medium onion)
  • ½-¾ cup spinach, chopped and cooked (fresh or frozen squeezed dry)
  • 3 large eggs, scrambled
  • 1 tsp oregano (fresh or dried)
  • 1 tsp basil (fresh or dried)
  • ½ cup button mushrooms, sliced thin (optional)
  • handful crumbled feta cheese to finish the top (optional, Parmigiano-Reggiano grated)
  • salt & black pepper to taste (Season as you cook)
  • 1½ Tbsp olive oil (Or butter)

Method
 

  1. Assemble the ingredients. Crumble the feta cheese and set aside. Slice the mushrooms (if using) and set aside. Dice the onion and set aside.
  2. Beat the eggs with oregano and basil added and set aside.
  3. If using frozen spinach, thaw, drain and squeeze out all of the water. If using fresh spinach like I did, chop and quickly sauté in ½ Tbs. olive oil until wilted. Or chop and add during the cooking process. Either way works at midnight!
  4. Crumble and loosen the ground beef and set aside.
  5. Heat a skillet and add 1 Tbs. olive oil. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook until the onion is a bit tender but not browned. (about 2 minutes) (If using mushrooms, add at the same time as the onions).
  6. Add crumbled ground beef and a pinch of salt & pepper to the skillet and brown stirring occasionally, Try to let the meat sit and develop some caramelization and fond on the skillet. (6-7 minutes).
  7. Add the spinach and cook for another minute.
  8. Add the seasoned beaten eggs to the beef/spinach mixture and cook until the eggs are set, about 1-2 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top with cheese.

Notes

  • Feel free to use any cheese you have on hand or omit for a dairy free option.  I prefer the feta cheese.  
  • This is a low carb recipe if that is your thing. However, this meal is fabulous served with toasted sliced bread or buttered and fried homemade bread.  
  • Serve with fresh fruit or fresh ripe tomatoes in season.  When serving with bread, fruit and a beverage, we stretch out this 1/2 lb. ground beef meal into 4 servings.
  • If using frozen spinach, the texture of bagged spinach is preferable to block spinach in this recipe.  For bagged frozen, cook according to package directions, squeeze out all excess moisture, before measuring using in this recipe.
Caught in the dim glow of kitchen midnight, my husband, determined to capture his favorite culinary masterpiece, braved the worst lighting known to chefs everywhere. And to add to the adventure, the footage and photos were rough too!