Tuscan Bean Breakfast Bowl with Avocado, Jalapeño Chicken Sausage and Poached Eggs

This delicious protein bowl was inspired by my quarantine-laden canned goods. It's hearty and for being "canned beans" pretty damn good. Beans are packed with nutrients: protein, carbohydrates, folate, and iron, not to mention they are one of the oldest cultivated plants. Archeologists uncovered them in the tombs of ancient Egyptian Kings -- a fitting food for the departed and their afterlife feast. As a child beans were a weekly staple in the Nieves household. The beauty of this recipe is that you can create the bean base and store it for a few days should you wish to repeat it. Brunch like a Pharaoh!

Bon Appétit!

Yields: 4 Time: 20 min

Ingredients:

• 1/2 sweet onion

• 4 cloves garlic

• 1/4 cup red peppers

• 1/4 cup green peppers

• 2 avocados

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 4 chicken sausages with jalapeño Monterey jack cheese (optional)

• 1 cup pea shoots (can sub for any leafy greens i.e. spinach, arugula, etc...)

• 1 cup chicken stock

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

• 2 cans pinto beans

• 4 poached eggs (or fried)

• 1 tbsp vinegar

Preparation:

In a pan heat vegetable oil to high heat and add your sausages. Rotate to brown evenly for roughly 5 min, then remove and cool.

In a new 10-11 inch skillet, heat the oil and saute the onions for 3  minutes over medium-high heat. Turn heat to medium and add the garlic. Saute until fragrant and golden, stirring often, and then add the peppers. Bring heat to medium and sweat for 3 minutes with peppers.

Add two spoons of tomato paste, beans, and chicken stock. Cook beans for about 5-8 min. (if using spinach, add at this time). Option to make little wells into the beans and fry eggs directly into them. If not take a small saucepot, fill with water, and bring it to a boil. Add tbsp vinegar to pot, and stir with a spatula or wooden spoon to create a spiral well, crack the egg in the center of the well and let it form for about 3 min. Remove with a ladle and place gently on a plate. Repeat for the desired amount of poached eggs.

For your garnished greens you can refresh them with some lemon, or olive oil with salt. Slice sausages, and avocado. Assemble.