So I’m riding my bike the other day and I get this uncontrollable craving for a particular crêpe I remembered having as a teenager. It was loaded with caramelized apples and melted cheddar cheese, and drenched in pure maple syrup.
That was a school project in one of my high school classes…
I remember that, when making it, I had found it to be incredibly weird and I didn’t even want to taste it. But I had no choice. Tasting it was also part of the project and I’d have lost points if I hadn’t.
Need I tell you that I ended up really, REALLY liking it? To this day, I still dream about that crêpe, sometimes. For some reason, though, I have NEVER recreated it at home. Don’t ask why, I have no idea.
So anyway, on that day, while riding my bike, I got this uncontrollable craving for THAT particular crêpe.
But then, I got this crazy idea.
What if I made it into an omelette, instead? And what if I added greens to the equation?
I couldn’t wait to get home to give it a try! I dreamed about it THE WHOLE TIME. I could almost taste it. I’d envisioned using spinach, apples, sharp cheddar and pecans.
But when I got home, I realized that I was all out of spinach, and that my son had used up all of my sharp cheddar.
D’OH!
Oh well, I wasn’t gonna let that stop me!
Time for plan B. I had collard greens, so I grabbed a bunch of leaves and shredded them super finely. Then I took a look at what cheeses were available to use. I decided on Gouda.
Wise decision, that was!
This wacky omelette turned out really good! Very different from that crêpe I was craving, but quite an experience. At first, I wasn’t quite convinced, but the more I went at it, the more it grew on me. Especially after I decided to drizzle a little bit of honey on top!
It just gave the dish that little touch of sweetness that it was so desperately calling for.
Next time, I will try spinach instead (providing that I have some in the fridge!) and I will add a little bit of nutmeg and probably cinnamon, too.
Oh, I can’t wait for next time to be here!
Maybe after my next bike ride? God knows I will need sustenance when I’m done, for that next ride is going to be 102km long!
Yep, you read that one right: ONE.HUNDRED.AND.TWO.KILOMETERS!
Indeed, I just committed to taking “The Laurentiens Challenge” with one of my coworkers, this coming Saturday.
I’m scared nonesense, for I’ve only ridden 450km so far this summer. And well, it had been well over 20 years since I’d been on a bike before that.
I feel totally unprepared, but I’m sure I can pull it off.
Right guys? Sure I can do this…
Please, have a thought for your Healthy Foodie this coming Saturday.
At 9am, she starts pedaling. After that, she doesn’t stop for a very loooooong time!
Of course, I’ll tell you all about it when it’s all said and done!
Hey, if you’ve got tips and advice for me, please, feel free to share.
Of course, words of encouragement are also very welcomed! 
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ cup pasteurized egg whites (that’s 6 egg whites)
- 3-4 collard greens leaves finely chopped
- 1 Red Delicious Apple, thinly sliced (the use of a mandolin is higlhy recommended)
- Pinch salt and pepper
- About 25g Gouda cheese, shredded
- 12-15 pecan halves
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven on broil.
- Slice the apple really thinly and shred the cheese. Set aside.
- Roll the collard greens leaves and chop them really fine. Cook them in the microwave for about 1 minute, until sligthly wilted.
- Meanwhile, coat a medium (10”) non-stick pan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat
- Add the egg whites, salt and pepper into a small mixing bowl and give this a quick whisk with a fork (or mini whisk, if you have one) until slightly frothy
- Poor that mixture onto the preheated pan and swirl it around a little bit to spread your omelette evenly over the entire surface of the pan. Cover loosely (a pizza pan works wonders for this) and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the omelette is somewhat set.
- Spread the collard greens evenly across your omelette and place the apple slices right on top.
- Sprinkle cheese and pecan halves, then place under the broiler until the cheese begins to bubble and turns nice and golden brown.
- Delicately slide omelette onto serving plate and serve immediately.
- Drizzle a little bit of honey, if desired (I highly recommend!)
What an interesting combo! And I love the story behind it. Isn’t it weird how we remember food, even after years and years?
Thanks Alex! I totally agree. It’s totally strange how we can remember certain meals even after so long, AND still crave them! Glad you like the combo.
Oh Sonia… I am in awe! I only just got back to bike riding. When my hubby and I went to Italy a couple of years ago (for my 60th birthday!) we rented bikes to ride on the wall around the Tuscan town of Lucca. This was the first time I had been on a bike since I was nineteen. I loved it! We then rented bikes (read: rusty and rickety but two wheels that usually stayed on) on every French Polynesian island that we sailed (in our own boat – but that is another story) to last year. It was only natural that I would ask for a bike for Christmas and, as usual, my Billy stepped up to the plate and left a Gazelle Bike http://www.gazellebikes.com/ (in a beautiful mint green – complete with wicker basket) under the tree for me! I joyfully ride along the Bow River now.
My advice for you is only this: enjoy the ride – and once in awhile (actually quite often) get off to smell the roses…literally (and give your tush some relief).
All the best
Cathy
Thank you so much Cathy, you are such a sweetheart! I’ll make sure to follow your advice and smell a few flowers along the way! I shall have a thought for you each time I do that!
This has got to be one of the prettiest omelette’s I’ve seen!
Thanks Lauren! I appreciate that!