An Egg-cellent Easter

    An Egg-cellent Easter!

    By: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA

    As Easter Sunday marks the end of Lent, you may be looking forward to indulging in chocolate, hunting for Easter eggs or planning a family celebration! Lent is a period of time observed for 40 days before Easter and typically involves fasting or more commonly today giving up something that may not suite us as well as we think.

    However you plan to spend your Easter celebration, remember that you can enjoy some of your favorite treats while still maintaining balance within your diet.

    Did you know? The first chocolate egg dates back to the early 1800s!! What’s your favorite? Plain, peanut butter filled, other?

    Why Eggs? Eggs are traditionally associated with “new life” or rebirth which is synonymous with Easter.

    Tips to managing Easter Treats…

    • Choose Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa or more), dark chocolate contains more heart healthy flavonoids than milk chocolate.
    • Set aside the portion you wish to consume, and put away other chocolate so it is out of sight and out of mind!
    • For children, offer chocolate only after a healthy food has been consumed for instance, after dinner.

    Sheet Pan Crispy Potatoes & Egg Breakfast

    This is the perfect Easter breakfast, easy to prepare with no-fuss clean up!

    sheet pan potato and eggs

    Prep: 10 minutes

    Bake: 30 minutes

    Makes: 4 Servings

    Ingredients:

    • 1 pound russet potatoes, scrubbed and cubed*
    • 1 Red bell pepper, chopped
    • 1 Green bell peppers, chopped
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 3 lean chicken sausages, sliced into rounds
    • Kosher salt & pepper
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 8 eggs
    • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
    • Chopped Chives or scallions for topping

    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
    2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, add cubed potatoes, bell peppers, onion and sausage to the pan. Drizzle with olive oil or cooking spray, sprinkle with kosher salt & pepper.
    3. In a small bowl combine paprika, thyme, garlic powder and top potato mixture, toss to coat. Bake for about 15 minutes.
    4. Remove pan from oven, create 8 spaces for the eggs. Spray each space with cooking spray and crack eggs onto pan. Season with salt & pepper. Place back into the oven for an additional 8 minutes or to your desired doneness.
    5. Top with chives or scallions and serve immediately.

    *Leave the skin on or peel.

    Nutrition information:

    333 Calories; 26g Protein; 28g Carbohydrate; 14g Fat; 4g Fiber