Have you seen Scandal? Anyone?? I know, it's been out a while and there are already several seasons but luckily Netflix has them all queued up and waiting. I recently started watching based on several friend's recommendations. AND I AM SO ADDICTED! The first couple episodes were mediocre but by about episode 4, I couldn't turn it off. I love everything about it. I love Kerry Washington as the strong, smart main character and leading lady. I love the mystery and the details behind everyone's crazy stories and figuring out why they do what they do. I love the scheming, the manipulating, the strategy, the planning -- it's very similar to House of Cards which is another all-time favorite. Usually, I'm not a big TV person -- but every once in a while, there are shows that are better than books (agh!), not something I would usually say but true in this case. If you haven't watched it, watch it! Seriously. You won't regret it.

Other than watching Scandal (did I mention it was REALLY good), I've been doing a lot of exercising -- which equates to lots of hearty, healthy meals. The more exercise I do, the more calories I need to replenish my muscles. Sunday has officially become trail run day -- it's been a pretty solid month of going for a 7 to 12 mile trail run on Sunday mornings with a group of friends. If you're a runner, you know that the last thing you do before running is eat which means by about 12 PM, after running and only consuming water and maybe coffee -- we're all starving! 

A couple weeks ago, we went to the OP Cafe just down the road from our house and had their special breakfast hash. I posted a picture on Instagram and got a ton of positive feedback so I thought I had to make my own version. I was really excited to try it because my specialty at home for breakfast is hash -- it's my total go-to meal. I'll share my hash recipe at some point, or at least a version, as it pretty much changes every time I make it. But, last weekend, I went ahead and re-created the OP hash and it was delicious!

OP Breakfast Hash
Makes: 4 servings  Time: 30 min.
Takes: 1 Tbs olive oil     3 Tbsp butter     3-4 small red potatoes     1/2 small white onion
1 large red bell pepper     2 Tbsp white vinegar     4-8 whole eggs     1 1/2 lbs. Carne Asada or thin steak
1 1/2 lemons, juiced     1 tsp Worcestershire sauce     3 egg yolks     water     1/2 c. cheddar cheese (good for melting)

Potatoes: Heat fry pan over medium heat with 1 Tbsp of olive oil. and 1 Tbsp. of butter
Add: 3-4 small red potatoes, cut in small cubes     1/2 small white onion, chopped     1 large red bell pepper, julienned (or thinly sliced)     salt and pepper
Cover with lid and cook for 5-10 min., stirring every couple of minutes. Remove lid of fry pan from potatoes and continue frying for another ~5 min. or so until potatoes are just tender but not soft! People tend to overcook potatoes, don't do it -- they're so much better when they still have just a little bit of a bite to them. Remove potatoes and vegetables from pan and set aside. 

Steak: After removing potatoes, heat fry-pan to Med-High and Add: 1 1/2 - 2 lbs. Carne Asada or thin steak, sliced against the grain in strips
Cook for 3-5 min. continually flipping with tongs until steak is done to taste. Combine potatoes and steak and top with cheese. Melt cheese.

Eggs:While potatoes are cooking, bring pot of water to boil and add 1-2 Tbsp. white vinegar for poaching eggs. Drop eggs in water right before food is ready to serve and cook for 2 1/2 minutes. Remove from water with slotted spoon.

Hollandaise sauce:
Add to small pot over low heat: 3 egg yolks     1 tsp Worcestershire     1 1/2 lemons, juiced
Whisk continually while heating until sauce starts to thicken. Add butter and continue whisking. Add ~1 Tbsp. water to thin, if necessary. Remove from heat and set aside.

To serve: Add a couple good spoonfuls of the steak/potato mixture. Top with 1-2 poached eggs (seasoned with salt and pepper). Drizzle Hollandaise sauce over eggs. Sprinkle Paprika on top. DIG IN!