Theodor Geisel, known to most people as Dr. Seuss, would have celebrated his 107th birthday today. We’re celebrating the rhyming riddler who brought us The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Green Eggs and Ham with our very own take on green eggs and ham: baked green eggs and ham crêpes.
When I realized that it was Dr. Seuss’ birthday this week, I was instantly excited. I grew up on Dr. Seuss, and when I had my first child, the first thing I did was swipe all the Dr. Seuss books from my parents’ house to bring to mine so I could read them all over again.
Growing up, The Cat in the Hat was always a favorite with its twisted tale of a hat-topped cat, but recently the kids and I have been enjoying Green Eggs and Ham before bed. With Kjell in kindergarten, this book has been just the right level for him to read on his own, and even Lene is getting into it. I caught her telling Sam I Am’s tale to Magnus on the couch the other day with great accuracy for a 4-year-old. Plus, as the kids and I talked about last night, Sam I Am is encouraging picky eaters everywhere to dig into new foods and give ’em a try. You never know when you might enjoy something you thought you wouldn’t like. A valuable lesson for independent thinkers.
The kids and I put together a few green eggs and ham of our own. I’ve been obsessed with Pinterest lately, and I saw the perfect savory crêpes from Framed Cooks there the other day that combined them with my favorite baked eggs. Inspired, I took my kids’ own obsession with pesto to heart and made green eggs and ham pockets in honor of Dr. Seuss.
First, you’ll need some pesto. We have a freezer full of it from the garden, and my kids are always thrilled when we pull it out. Today was no exception.
On a parchment-lined baking sheet, lay out the crêpes and add a piece of prosciutto to the center. You could also use ham or any other thinly sliced meat of your choice.
Smear a bit of pesto over the bottom of the crêpes, creating a bit of a containment area for the egg that we’re going to crack right on top of it all. Then fold up the edges around the egg, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a touch of salt and throw them in the oven for a bit.
Soon you’ll have a perfectly cooked egg ready for consumption.
That’s how we celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday this week, along with a few other good games that I know. There are a few things I will show to you now; you will like these new things; I’m certain I can see just how:
One Fish Two Fish Snack Mix
Butter Battle Compound Butters
Will you be doing anything for Dr. Seuss’s birthday today? Ours will be filled with eating the rest of the crêpes and other Dr. Seuss treats, and no one is complaining about that.
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” — Dr. Seuss
2 slices prosciutto
4 tablespoons basil pesto
4 eggs
Parmesan cheese
kosher salt
fresh parsley for garnish
Heat oven to 350° F. Line a walled baking sheet with parchment or a baking mat. Lay out the crêpes on the mat. In the center of each crêpe place half a slice of prosciutto and a tablespoon of pesto. Crack the egg on top of the pesto and prosciutto. Fold up the four sides of each crêpe around the egg. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and a pinch of salt.
Bake at 350° F for 10-12 minutes until egg whites are set. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve.
Makes 4 baked eggs.
Wow, these look absolutely sophisticated! My favorite Dr. Seuss book is Oh! The Places You’ll Go! – I cry every time I read it, and it’s my go-to baby gift.
That’s a great one! My absolute favorite bedtime Dr. Seuss book is There’s a Wocket in My Pocket. It’s also Magnus’ favorite book, so I get to read it all the time.
I love Oh! The Places You’ll Go — but I now use it for a high school, and sometimes even university, graduation gift — at that age though, it gets accompanied by a cheque inside! The kids love it —
These are awesome! “Oh the Places You’ll Go” was also my favorite Seuss book, but notwithstanding, I’d dig into these Green Eggs on any day of the week!
Shaina-I love this interpetation of Dr. Seuss’s famous book! So tasty and so clever!
That recipe look fantastic! Your photos are gorgeous!
As an Early Childhood specialist, I have had so much fun throughout my early career in ECE with these books, and with my own daughters while they were young. How I wish there was this kind of technology in those days… “Oh, the places I’d go…”
Love Dr. Seuss and your recipe is FAB! So are Shaina’s!
What fun and what fortunate and loved children you have!
Another one of my favourite childhood authors is also a fantastic illustrator and thoughtful and sensitive story teller: Tomie de Paolo. He retells legends and addresses important subjects for children. Love him and his are.
I have SO many favourites for so many different reasons. Reading and the art (as that is your child’s first introduction to quality art) are so important in books and to provide a variety as you read together nightly. Oh, how I miss those bedtimes!
🙂
Valerie
“Love Dr. Seuss and your recipe is FAB! So are Shaina’s!” – I MEANT, SO ARE your OTHERS in BABBLE, Shaina!!!!!
What a great post! Absolutely love the concept and the crepes look to die for. This brings back memories of story time with Dr. Seuss. So, so good!
What an elegant way to celebrate! The presentation makes it feel very special for the occasion.
Love this! Love Dr. Seuss! And love you! And I’m with Amber…”Oh! The Places You’ll Go” has to be my fav! I love to give it for graduation gifts!
How fun; I love this! The Cat in the Hat was always my favorite. 🙂
What a fancy way to celebrate Dr. Seuss birthday!
Now I can’t wait to plant a bunch of basil….that pesto is beautiful.
I love this! What a fun way to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday! 🙂
What a fun way to celebrate!
What a great take on green eggs & ham. Super idea!
Lovely! Great way to make green eggs and ham… I always cringe when the food coloring bottle comes out! Love how you used pesto for the green color. Stunning!
These look amazing – what a beautiful combination of ingredients.
I love this recipe! I’ll have to make it for my kids. Thanks!
I’m thinking Easter brunch, Shaina.Love these!
Oh! The variations I know!
Love your tasty celebration of Dr. Seuss. I must do the same with the homemade pesto. Awesome to have it frozen for quick sauces. xo
Wowee. This sounds sooo delicious. I am so hungry for lunch right now. Glad Dr. Seuss is inspiring such yummy food!
These are beautiful, Shaina – such fun!
These look gorgeous! I would love to see these on table this morning!
What a creative (and visually interesting) idea. Love it! And your photos are beautiful as well…
Not only do these sound teriffic they look great too. Such a fun shape. Very impressive and a sensational Seussical serving!