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Category: Breakfasts

Vanilla Rose Scones

Vanilla Rose Scones

Vanilla Rose Scones

 

2 cups (250 g) all purpose flour

1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar

1/2 tsp kosher salt

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 stick unsalted butter, frozen

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 T.  heavy cream for brushing scones

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 vanilla bean

1 tsp cardamom

1 T.  rosewater

For vanilla glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar sifted

1-2 T.  heavy cream or half and half

1 vanilla bean

 

Whisk all the dry ingredients in one large bowl.  Grate the frozen butter into the dry ingredients bowl, then incorporate into the dry ingredients until combined (the butter should be in pea-sizes). Place bowl in freezer during the next step. Whisk wet ingredients in a smaller bowl. Pour evenly over butter/flour mixture and mix with a rubber spatula or your hands until just incorporated. Do not over mix! Pour dough onto a lightly floured surface and make into a ball with your hands. Flatten out into an 8-inch circle or one that is about an inch in thickness. You can use a rolling pin to help with this. Cut into 8 triangles then add these to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Pop into freezer and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Once oven is preheated, take scones out of freezer and brush each with heavy cream. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack when done. Make vanilla glaze by whisking together ingredients and drizzle on the scones! Optional: add edible rose petals on top!

Turkish Omelette (Kaygana)

Turkish Omelette (Kaygana)

Turkish Omelette (Kaygana)

2 eggs
2 T.  flour
2 T.  water or milk
salt

1 T.  butter or olive oil

2 T.  finely chopped flat leaf parsley
1/3 cup crumbled feta (you can use more or less than this)
black pepper
red pepper flakes

Put flour in a bowl and break eggs into the bowl. Mix well. Add water or milk, whichever you want, and mix again. [So far is the basic recipe. You may go ahead and cook it on frying pan with butter or oil, and then roll it with feta and parsley.] -Add parsley, feta, black pepper, and pepper flakes to this mix and mix them all. (Since feta was already very salty, I didn’t add salt). -Heat oil in a frying pan. Add either one scoop at a time for small rounds or the whole mix for a big one. When one side is cooked, flip it over.

Best Easy Moist Banana Bread

Best Easy Moist Banana Bread

Best Easy Moist Banana Bread

 

3 bananas – mashed

½ cup plain fat free Greek yogurt

½ cup unsweetened applesauce – (see note)

1 cup sugar – (see note)

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

1 ¾ cup flour

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease a 9×5 inch bread pan. In a large bowl mix together mashed banana, Greek yogurt, applesauce, and sugar. Mix in vanilla and eggs. Add flour, salt, baking soda and mix until just combined – DO NOT OVER MIX – just until there are no remaining streaks of flour. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes, until top is browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before turning bread out of pan and slicing. Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days.

Cinnamon Roll Ups

Cinnamon Roll Ups

Cinnamon Roll Ups

 

2 packages refrigerated crescents

8 T. butter – melted

¼ cup sugar

1 T. cinnamon

 

1 ounce cream cheese – softened

2 T. butter – melted

2 cups powdered sugar

milk – as needed

¼-½ tsp. vanilla extract – or almond extract

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease or line a baking sheet with parchment or a nonstick baking mat. Unroll the crescent dough and gently separate the triangles. Brush the crescent triangles with melted butter. Stir together cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle generously over the crescents. Gently roll up each crescent starting with the wide end of the triangle and rolling toward the skinny pointed end. Place on prepared baking sheet 2-3 inches apart. Bake in preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes until golden brown. While roll ups are baking, prepare the glaze. Cream together cream cheese and butter. Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to make it a pourable consistency. Drizzle icing over roll ups. Serve warm.

Day-Old Croissant and Sausage “Bread Pudding”

Day-Old Croissant and Sausage “Bread Pudding”

Day-Old Croissant and Sausage “Bread Pudding

 

8 cups torn or cubed 1- or 2-day-old croissants

2 T. olive oil

12 oz. spicy breakfast sausage, crumbled, or smoked link sausage, thinly sliced

1½ cups finely diced yellow onion

¾ cup diced celery

1 T. minced garlic

10 eggs

2½ cups milk

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup butter, melted

½ cup chopped fresh chives

½ cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. black pepper

½ cup grated Parmesan

½ cup grated cheddar

 

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch disposable aluminum pan (or a glass or metal pan) with nonstick cooking spray or wipe it with vegetable oil or melted butter. Put the croissants in a large bowl and set aside. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the sausage and brown until almost fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add the onion, celery, and garlic and sauté until the onion is transparent. Remove from the pan and cool slightly. Pour off and reserve the oil and sausage fat as well. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, butter, chives, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Pour over the croissant pieces and blend well. Stir in the sausage, vegetables, and reserved oil. Pour into the prepared dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 30 minutes, or until the pudding is set up in the middle. Turn the oven to broil. Uncover, sprinkle with the Parmesan and cheddar, and place under the broiler until the cheese is browned. Serve hot.

Air Fryer Egg Toast

Air Fryer Egg Toast

Air Fryer Egg Toast

 

2 large eggs

2 slices bread

2 T.  butter

salt and pepper to taste

 

Line air fryer with parchment paper liners or spray with cooking spray. Butter bread slices and, using a glass, make an indent in the center of the bread. I actually made two indentations with the glass to make enough room for the egg. Place the bread slices into the air fryer basket. Crack the egg into the center of each slice of bread. It is ok if a little egg white goes beyond the indent. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top. (Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese if you’d like!) Air Fry at 320°F for 8 minutes for a runny yolk. If you want a little harder egg yolk you may need to add 1-2 extra minutes cooking time. Remove toast with a spatula and serve with sausage or bacon and a side of fresh fruit or cereal.

Pink Pine Needle Tea

Pink Pine Needle Tea

Pink Pine Needle Tea

 

2 cups water

2 T.  (11g) snipped pine needles

¾ cup (90g) wild blueberries, fresh or frozen

2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tsp. honey, or to taste

 

Combine the water, pine needles, and wild blueberries in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring to a simmer, cover, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and honey. Make sure the honey is completely dissolved. Set a strainer over your serving mugs and pour the tea through the strainer. Enjoy!

Sheet Pan Breakfast

Sheet Pan Breakfast

Sheet Pan Breakfast

 

1 package Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns

3 T. olive oil

1 ½ tsp. Italian seasoning blend – OR Southwest seasoning blend

salt and pepper – to taste

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – or Monterey Jack cheese

6-8 breakfast sausage links

6 large eggs

chopped green onions, parsley, thyme, or cilantro

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange the hash browns on a greased baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with Italian or Southwest blend seasonings and salt and pepper to taste, toss to combine. Mix the spices around onto the hash browns. Gently push the hash browns onto one half of the sheet pan so that the other half is empty. Bake these alone for 10 minutes. Add sausage links to the pan and bake for 15-20 minutes. Crack the eggs and add them one at a a time to the empty area of the baking sheet. Do not touch them. Sprinkle cheese over the hash browns. Carefully transfer the pan back to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the sausages are done and egg yolks are cooked to your preference. Season eggs with salt and pepper and garnish everything with fresh herbs of choice. Serve immediately.

Chanterelles and Scrambled Eggs on Toast

Chanterelles and Scrambled Eggs on Toast

Chanterelles and Scrambled Eggs on Toast

 

8–10 ounce Chanterelle mushrooms

4 large eggs

2 T.  extra-virgin olive oil

sea salt (as needed)

1–2 clove garlic (peeled and minced)

¼ cup chopped flat leaf parsley

freshly cracked black pepper

1 T.  unsalted butter (at room temperature, divided)

2 slice rustic bread (toasted and buttered)

 

Gently clean the chanterelles then pull them apart lengthwise into evenly sized strips. It’s a small detail but tearing as opposed to slicing lets the heat get to a lot more edges of the mushroom creating a more interesting texture. Set aside. Crack eggs into a medium bowl and add a pinch of sea salt. Use a whisk to whip the eggs until uniformly pale yellow in color, about 30 seconds. Set aside. Heat a 12-inch sauté pan with a lid over medium-high heat add olive oil and swirl the pan to completely coat the bottom. Lay the torn chanterelles in as close to a single layer as possible. Let them cook undisturbed until they begin to brown at the edges, about 3 minutes. Stir, then cook undisturbed for another 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. Stir in the garlic, parsley, and a few grinds of black pepper, and cook, stirring, another minute or so until the garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat add 2 T.  butter and stir until melted. Cover and set aside in a warm place. Melt the remaining 1 T.  butter in an 8‑inch nonstick slope-sided skillet set over medium-low heat. When the butter is completely melted and beginning to foam pour the eggs into the center of the skillet and cook, without stirring, until a thin layer of cooked egg appears around the edge of the skillet. Then, using a small rubber spatula scrape the cooked edges of the eggs around the circumference of the skillet then use the spatula to loosen the eggs in the center. Keep the eggs moving constantly until creamy. Cut any thick curds that form with the spatula. Do not stop stirring, or leave the skillet’s side for more than a few seconds. I like to remove them from the heat when they’re still a bit runny on the top. The whole process should take less than 2 minutes. Immediately top the buttered toast slices with the warm soft eggs, then spoon some of the garlicky mushrooms over the eggs. Finish with a sprinkle with sea salt and a grind of black pepper. Serve immediately.

Cheesy Hash Brown Breakfast Muffins

Cheesy Hash Brown Breakfast Muffins

Cheesy Hash Brown Breakfast Muffins

 

2 C (170g) Frozen Hash Browns (Shredded White Potatoes)

1 Bag (4C) Pepper and Onion Blend, or 4C fresh

2 tsp. (10g) Minced Garlic

1/2 C (113g) Fat-Free Plain Greek Yogurt

1 C (112g) Fat-Free Shredded Mozzarella

1 1/8 C (276g) Liquid Egg Whites, 9 servings or 6 whole egg whites

2 large Eggs

1/2 C Shredded Parmesan

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the hash browns and peppers/onions (in separate pans to minimize moisture) and add garlic in towards the end of their cook times.  Spoon this mixture into a muffin tin and allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Add salt, pepper, or other seasonings at this point if you’d like.  Add a mixture of egg whites, egg, parmesan, mozzarella, and Greek yogurt on top, filling each slot evenly. Bake for 20-22 minutes.  Optional: Add cooked sausage crumbles or cooked diced bacon with the potatoes and veggies.

Squash Toasts

Squash Toasts

Squash Toasts

 

1 kabocha squash, about 2-3 pounds

2 tablespoons honey

3-4 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 loaf good Italian bread

Fresh ricotta

Handful of basil (chiffonade)

 

Preheat oven to 400°F. With a phillips head screwdriver, poke two holes in top of squash, set in baking dish, and roast for 45 minutes to one hour. Take squash out of oven and cut into quarters — but be careful when handling; it’s hot. Remove seeds and scoop out flesh. Put flesh back into baking pan, and drizzle with honey, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper. (You don’t want it to dry out, so make sure you use enough oil.) Toss until coated and then roast for another 15 or 20 minutes, or until soft and slightly darkened. Put into a bowl, smash with a spoon, and set aside. When you’re ready to assemble your toasts, cut the bread into slices and toast lightly. Smear a foundation of fresh ricotta. Then spoon on squash, and sprinkle with basil and salt. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and a few drops of balsamic vinegar.

Lemon Zucchini Coffee Cake

Lemon Zucchini Coffee Cake

Lemon Zucchini Coffee Cake

 

1½ cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

½ cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

2 lemons zested and juiced, divided (use Meyer lemons if possible)

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup shredded unpeeled zucchini, loosely packed

 

⅓ cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon reserved lemon zest

pinch of salt

3 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces

 

⅓ cup powdered sugar, packed

1 teaspoon milk

1 to 2 teaspoons lemon juice, or as needed to reach drizzling consistency

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch round or square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. A deep dish pie plate works nicely. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside. In a large mixing bowl use an electric mixer to combine the sugar, yogurt, vegetable oil, eggs, ¼ cup lemon juice (reserve 2 teaspoons juice for later), 2 teaspoons lemon zest (reserve remaining zest for later) and the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the zucchini. Add the dry mixture and mix again just until combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish. Place the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, remaining reserved lemon zest (about 1 teaspoon), salt, and butter in a small mixing bowl. Work the mixture with a pastry blender or fork for several minutes until the pieces of butter are pea-sized then use your hands to work the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the surface of the cake. Bake for 35 to 42 minutes, or until the crumb topping is light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool for about 15 minutes before drizzling with the lemon glaze. Combine the powdered sugar, milk and as much of the remaining lemon juice as needed to reach a nice drizzling consistency (no more than 1 to 2 teaspoons). Drizzle over the crumb topping of the cake while it is still slightly warm. Delicious served warm or cold.

Strawberry Muffins

Strawberry Muffins

Strawberry Muffins

 

2 large eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt, or light or full fat sour cream

1 heaping cup diced fresh strawberries, rinsed and dried

 

½ cup powdered sugar

4 to 5 teaspoons heavy cream or half-and-half, or more to reach desired consistency

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray or line it with paper liners. In large bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer. Add the granulated sugar and beat for a minute or two until completely combined. With the beaters running, pour in the oil and then add the vanilla. In a separate medium bowl, stir together the flour, salt and baking soda. Using a wooden spoon, mix the dry mixture into the wet mixture, a little at a time, alternating with the Greek yogurt. Add the strawberries and mix with the wooden spoon just until combined. Divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the muffins to cool for 10 minutes and then carefully remove from the muffin pan to cool completely. For the Glaze: Combine ingredients for the glaze in a small mixing bowl, using about half of the amount of cream stated. Add just enough of the remaining cream to reach a consistency that allows the glaze to run off the tip of a spoon. Drizzle over the completely cooled muffins. Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce No-Flip Pancakes

Leftover Cranberry Sauce No-Flip Pancakes

Leftover Cranberry Sauce No-Flip Pancakes

 

1½ cups all-purpose flour

2 T. granulated sugar

1½ tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. kosher salt

1½ cups buttermilk

3 medium eggs (or 2 large)

2½ T. unsalted butter, melted, plus more for serving

1 T. vegetable oil

⅔ cup cold cranberry sauce

Maple syrup, for serving

 

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and 2 T. of melted butter. Fold in dry ingredients and then add cranberry sauce into the batter. Don’t over-mix—you want the batter to look marbled. Heat remaining ½ T. of butter. Oil in a 10-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add batter to the pan and spread to the edges. Cook just until the edges are set, 5-7 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the pancake is golden and puffed on top. Place a serving plate over the skillet and carefully invert the pan to release the pancake. Cut the pancake into wedges and serve with butter and maple syrup.

Coffee-Glazed Apple Bacon Fritters

Coffee-Glazed Apple Bacon Fritters

Coffee-Glazed Apple Bacon Fritters

 

1 T. salted butter

3 tart apples, peeled, cored, and cut into ½-inch chunks

12 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and cooled

11/4 cups all-purpose flour

11/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. fine sea salt

1/2 tsp. ground anise

1 large egg

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup sparkling apple juice

2 cups icing sugar

1/4 cup extra-strong coffee or espresso, cooled

Vegetable oil, for frying

 

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and let it cook until it is light golden. Add the apples and cook, turning frequently, until they just begin to soften and deepen in color, 7– 8 minutes. Do not let them cook all the way through— you want them soft but with a bit of crunch. Remove from the heat and transfer to a mixing bowl. Crumble the bacon into the apples, stir to combine, and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, sieve the flour with the baking powder, salt, and ground anise. Set it aside. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk the egg with the sugar until they turn a light golden color. Add the apples and bacon to the wet ingredients and mix to combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and, using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir slightly until just combined. Add the sparkling apple juice and give it all a final stir to combine. In another mixing bowl, whisk the icing sugar with the coffee to make a glaze. Set it aside. Place a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Line another baking sheet with paper towel. Add 3– 4 inches of vegetable oil to a Dutch oven over medium heat. Warm the oil to 350°F. Working quickly, use two tablespoons to scoop up some batter and carefully drop it into the oil. Cook three to four fritters at a time. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until deeply golden on one side. Flip over and cook the other side for another minute or two, until each side is evenly colored. Remove from the oil and let drain on the paper towel. While the fritters are still warm, dip them into the coffee glaze, let the excess drain off, and place on the wire rack to set. These will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To get them crispy again, preheat the oven to 350°F, place the fritters on a parchment-lined baking tray, and place in the oven for 10– 12 minutes.

Tex-Mex Waffle Nachos

Tex-Mex Waffle Nachos

Tex-Mex Waffle Nachos

 

4 slices Thick Cut Bacon, chopped

6 Homestyle Waffles, cut into wedges

3/4 cup Finely Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese

4 Large Eggs

¼ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter

1 avocado, peeled, pitted and mashed

¼ small red onion, finely chopped

½ cup Medium Chunky Salsa

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Hot sauce (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 425°. Line rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. In small skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until crisp, stirring occasionally; with slotted spoon, transfer to paper towel-lined plate, cool and crumble. Arrange waffles on prepared pan; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese melts. In large bowl, whisk eggs, salt and pepper. In large, nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat; add egg mixture and cook 5 minutes or to desired doneness, stirring occasionally. Serve waffles topped with eggs, bacon, avocado, onion, salsa, cilantro and hot sauce, if desired.

Pesto Fried Eggs on Toast

Pesto Fried Eggs on Toast

Pesto Fried Eggs on Toast

 

2 tbsp basil pesto

2 eggs

2 slices bread French or Italian, toasted

2 tbsp cream cheese counter softened (fresh ricotta)

1 half avocado mashed

salt and pepper

honey drizzle

 

Add basil pesto to a small non-stick skillet and heat pan over medium-low heat. Basil pesto includes oil and should heat up well. Crack eggs into a bowl. Remove any tiny shells. Now slowly add eggs into hot skillet and season generously with salt and black pepper. Cook eggs to your liking. Generally, for a medium-hard egg, cook 2-3 minutes on one side and flip for 30 seconds. Spread 1 tablespoon of softened cream cheese onto each piece of sliced and toasted bread. Top each piece of bread with half of the mashed avocado. Drizzle avocado with a bit of sweet honey. Place cooked pesto egg on top of the toast and serve immediately while hot.

Brown Sugar Cornmeal Waffles

Brown Sugar Cornmeal Waffles

Brown Sugar Cornmeal Waffles

 

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup finely ground yellow cornmeal

1/2 cup whole buttermilk

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Cooking spray

Fresh berries, for serving (optional)

 

Cut 1 stick unsalted butter into a few pieces, place in a small microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high until melted, 40 to 60 seconds. (Alternatively, melt on the stovetop over low heat.) Set aside to cool slightly while you heat a waffle iron for medium heat. Place the melted butter, 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup finely ground yellow cornmeal, 1/2 cup whole buttermilk, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a large bowl and whisk until combined; the batter will be quite thick. When the waffle iron is ready, coat with cooking spray, then pour in the amount of batter recommended by the manufacturer, about 1/2 cup for a (7-inch) thin round waffle. Close the lid and cook until the waffle is golden-brown. When the waffle is ready, remove from the iron to a wire rack. If not serving immediately as they are made, place directly on a rack in a 200 F oven to keep warm. Repeat making waffles with the remaining batter. Serve with fresh berries.  Recipe notes: The waffles can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to five days or frozen for up to two months. Reheat directly on a rack in a 350 F oven until heated through, 4 to 6 minutes if refrigerated, or 10 to 12 minutes if frozen.

Pesto Egg and Tomato Toasts

Pesto Egg and Tomato Toasts

Pesto Egg and Tomato Toasts

 

2 slices sourdough bread

12 cherry tomatoes

6 tablespoons store-bought refrigerated pesto, such as Gotham Greens, divided

4 large eggs

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Red pepper flakes, for serving

 

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Place the bread in the dry pan and toast until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove to two plates and keep warm. Wipe out the skillet and return to the heat. Increase the heat to high and let the pan get smoking hot. Add the tomatoes and cook, occasionally shaking the skillet, until charred and blistered, 3 to 5 minutes. Divide the tomatoes between the toasts, using a fork to gently smash the tomatoes into the toast. Wipe the skillet clean again. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add 4 tablespoons of the pesto to cover and coat the bottom of the skillet. Gently crack eggs into skillet over pesto. Cover and cook until whites are firm and opaque, but yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes. Using an offset spatula, transfer of the 2 eggs to top each of the tomato toasts. Top each with 1 tablespoon of the remaining pesto. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.

Linden Leaf Pancakes

Linden Leaf Pancakes

Linden Leaf Pancakes

 

Linden Leaf Flour

 

1 pound fresh, mature linden leaves

 

Pancakes

 

3/4 C. all-purpose flour

3/4 C. linden leaf flour

3 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 T. granulated sugar

1 1/4 C. milk

1 egg

3 T. butter, melted

 

To make the flour, dry the linden leaves outdoors in the summer, which may take up to a week. Alternatively, place leaves on baking sheets, well separated, and dry them in a 115 °F oven for up to 24 hours; this may be done in overnight shifts so that your oven is available for other uses during the day. When leaves are completely dried and crumble between your fingers, blend or pound them to a powder with mortar and pestle or in a food processor. Sift powder through a fine-meshed sieve and discard coarser material. The resulting fine flour can be stored for a year or more in an airtight jar. Typically, each pound of fresh linden leaves yields 3/4 C. flour. To make the pancakes, in a large bowl, sift together both types of flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Separately, blend together milk, egg, and melted butter. Make a shallow well in center of flour mixture and pour in liquid mixture. Mix until fairly smooth; some small lumps may remain. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat. Using a soup ladle or large spoon, pour or scoop batter onto the griddle, about 1/4 C. per pancake. Brown on both sides. Serve hot.

Gingerbread Chia Seed Waffles

Gingerbread Chia Seed Waffles

Gingerbread Chia Seed Waffles

 

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup oat flour (I just put oats in a blender to make this!)

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 T. ground ginger

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

2 T. coconut sugar

1 egg

1 T. molasses

1 1/2 cups milk (regular, almond, or any you like!)

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 T. chia seeds

 

Combine both flours, baking powder, salt, coconut sugar, ginger, cloves & cinnamon in a medium bowl. In a smaller bowl combine milk, egg, applesauce & molasses and stir until blended. Add both wet and dry ingredients together then add in chia seeds and stir to combine. Cook the waffles in a waffle iron per the irons instructions. Mine took about 5 minutes to cook through. Enjoy!

Dill, Sweet Onion and Everything Seasoning Baked Omelet

Dill, Sweet Onion and Everything Seasoning Baked Omelet

Dill, Sweet Onion and Everything Seasoning Baked Omelet

 

1 tablespoon salted butter

12 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup fresh dill leaves, roughly chopped

1 extra-large sweet onion, peeled, quartered, and thinly sliced into half-moons (or sub red onion)

1 tablespoon Everything Bagel seasoning

 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an oven-safe 9″ x 5 loaf pan with butter. In a large bowl, whisk eggs with salt and pepper until slightly foamy. Add in dill and onion. Mix until well combined. Pour into prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle Everything Bagel seasoning evenly on top. Bake on center rack 50-55 minutes until center is firm. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan 15 minutes before slicing into six pieces and serving.

Egg Baked in Cream

Egg Baked in Cream

Egg Baked in Cream

 

1 1/2 T. butter

4 leeks, sliced, light green and white parts only

Salt

2 sprigs thyme, leaves roughly chopped

2 sprigs parsley, leaves roughly chopped

1 large farm-fresh egg

About 2 T. half-and-half

Coarsely ground black pepper

Grilled or toasted bread slices

 

Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees. In a small sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks, a splash of water and a pinch of salt and cook until the leeks are tender, about 2 minutes. Add the herbs and transfer to a 6-inch cazuela, cocotte or other ceramic dish, covering the bottom with the butter, leeks and herbs. Crack the egg into the middle of the dish. Add enough half-and-half to barely cover the white. Sprinkle with salt and coarsely ground pepper. Cook until the white is set, 8 to 12 minutes. Serve with grilled or toasted bread.

Apple Cheddar Bacon Breakfast Strata

Apple Cheddar Bacon Breakfast Strata

Apple Cheddar Bacon Breakfast Strata

 

Butter or bacon fat, for the pan

3 eggs, beaten

1½ cups milk, whole or 2%

¼ tsp. salt

Generous pinch of pepper

2 tsp. Worcestershire, optional

2 tsp. Dijon or 1 tsp dry mustard

¾ lb. (a med-sized loaf) rustic bread,[1] day-old, sliced

¾ lb. honeycrisp [2] apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

9 oz. aged white cheddar, shredded

2 T. dried rosemary

1 lb. thick-cut bacon, cooked to moderately crispy and chopped

3½ oz. gouda (not smoked), shredded

 

Grease an 8×8 baking pan with bacon fat or butter; set aside. Place the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, (Worcestershire), and mustard into a mixing bowl or pitcher and mix it thoroughly; set aside. Next, create three layers in the following manner:  Line the bottom of the pan with a layer of bread. Make sure to leave no gaps in the layer, tearing off small pieces of bread or crumbling some of it into crumbs as necessary, to fill them in. Pour just enough of the egg mixture over the bread to moisten all of it. Distribute half the apples over the eggy bread. Cover that with half the cheddar, then a third of the rosemary, and then half the bacon.  Lay down another layer of bread. Take an opportunity to push down on the whole thing, to compress it somewhat, and to help ensure that it’s level. Pour enough of the egg mixture over the bread to moisten all of it thoroughly. Then build the rest of the layer: the rest of the apples, all the gouda, another third of the rosemary, and the rest of the bacon. Top it off with another layer of bread. Press down again. Pour the remainder of the egg mixture over the bread. Cover that with the remaining rosemary and cheddar.  Cover tightly with foil. Place it in the refrigerator overnight (or see “options” paragraph). The next morning, pop it into a preheated 350°F oven for 35 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for 25 minutes, or until the top has browned. Remove from the oven and let rest until cold (or see “options” paragraph).   Cover with foil and place in the refrigerator overnight. 5. The next day, whenever you’re hungry, cut the strata into six pieces, and microwave each piece for 2 minutes with full-on nuclear power.

Blueberry Bannock Scone

Blueberry Bannock Scone

Blueberry Bannock Scone

 

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

1/2 cup wheat germ

1 T. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

5 T. sugar

5 1/3 (1/3 cup) T. unsalted butter, chilled

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 large eggs

1 cup blueberries

1 tsp. water

 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly sprinkle a 14-x-16-inch baking sheet with flour, or line with a Silpat, and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the flour, pecans, wheat germ, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and 2 T. of sugar. Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or fork until it has the consistency of small crumbs. In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk and one egg. Add to the flour mixture and stir until just moistened. The dough will be quite wet and sticky; work it as little as possible.

Divide the dough in half and shape one piece into a 9-inch circle on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the blueberries evenly over the circle and sprinkle with 1-2 T. of sugar. On a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, form a 9-inch circle with the remaining dough and gently slide it on top of the berries. With the backside of a knife, score the top in 8 wedges. Beat the remaining egg with the water and lightly brush the egg wash over the top of the scone. Sprinkle with the remaining T. of sugar.  Bake until the scone is golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. When cool, cut into wedges and serve.

Gold Port Galley Lemonade

Gold Port Galley Lemonade

Gold Port Galley Lemonade

 

1 ¾ cups granulated sugar

8 cups room-temperature water, divided

1 ½ cups lemon juice

2 T. passion fruit–flavored syrup

½ cup candied pineapple, chopped

 

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Microwave on high 1 minute, stir, and microwave another minute. Refrigerate syrup covered until cool, about 2 hours. Once cool, stir in lemon juice, remaining 7 cups water, and passion fruit flavoring. Pour into ice cream machine and mix about 15 minutes or until a slushy consistency forms. Scoop into glasses and top with candied pineapple. Save any remaining lemonade to freeze another day, or drink unfrozen. Store in a pitcher in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

Mozzarella Medley Prosciutto Toast

Mozzarella Medley Prosciutto Toast

Mozzarella Medley Prosciutto Toast

 

1 baguette, sliced into 2 (6” [15-cm]-long) pieces and then in half lengthwise

Olive oil, for cooking

3 T. (45 ml) Red Pepper Spread

12 oz (340 g) Marinated Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, sliced in half

4 thin slices prosciutto

Chopped fresh basil, for garnish

 

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush a thin layer of olive oil over each slice of baguette and place them on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the bread from the oven and spread a generous layer of Red Pepper Spread over each slice. Place the halved mozzarella balls, flat side down—you should be able to fit six to eight halves per baguette slice—over each piece of bread, return the bread to the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. About 2 minutes before removing the toasts from the oven, lay one slice of prosciutto over top of each slice of bread and continue to bake for about 2 minutes. When the prosciutto is warm, remove the toasts from the oven and garnish with basil.

Sheet Pan Banana Pancake Breakfast Board

Sheet Pan Banana Pancake Breakfast Board

Sheet Pan Banana Pancake Breakfast Board

 

24 to 26-inch (60-66 cm) food board

Sheet-Pan Banana Pancake (recipe follows)

11/2 T. (23 ml) olive oil

12 eggs, beaten

11/2 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 cup (60 g) grated sharp Cheddar cheese

1 T. (5 g) chopped scallion, for garnish

1 package (20 ounces, or 560 g) maple breakfast sausage, cooked

1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream

1/4 cup (30 g) powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 pounds (908 g) strawberries

1 pound (454 g) blueberries

1 cantaloupe, cut into 2-inch (5-cm) pieces

Mint, for garnish

 

2 ¼ cups (540 ml) buttermilk

½ cup (120 g) Greek yogurt

2 eggs

¼ cup (60 ml) water

2 ½ tsp. (12 ml) vanilla extract, divided

2 tsp. (10 g) kosher salt, divided

¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar

½ cup plus 2 T. (125 g) packed dark brown sugar, divided

2 ¼ cups (270 g) all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 ¼ tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 T. (15 ml) maple syrup

¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter

8 ounces (224 g) bacon, cooked

3 to 4 bananas, peeled and quartered

 

BOARD ASSEMBLY: Place 3 hot pads or trivets on the board to hold the pancake. Place a large bowl on the board to hold the scrambled eggs and a medium bowl to hold the sausages. Place a hot pad or trivet underneath each bowl. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet. Pour in the eggs and sprinkle with the salt and cheese. Cook, scrambling, until just set and no longer wet. Pour into the bowl, scatter the scallions on top, and cover to keep warm. Cook the sausage according to package directions, place in a medium bowl, set on the board, and cover to keep warm. In a bowl using a mixer, whip the cream for 2 to 3 minutes until thick; add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Gently mix, transfer a medium bowl, and place on the board. Fill in the spaces with the strawberries, blueberries, and cantaloupe and small sprigs of mint.  For the Pancakes: Preheat the oven to 500°F (250°C, or gas mark 10). Coat a 13 x 18-inch (3 3 x 46-cm) baking sheet with nonstick spray on the bottom and the edges (important for ensuring your pancake flips out of the pan). Place a piece of parchment on the bottom of the sheet pan and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, yogurt, eggs, water, 2 tsp. (10 ml) of the vanilla, 11/2 tsp. (8 g) of the salt, granulated sugar, and 2 T. (25 g) of the brown sugar. Set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Set aside. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar, remaining 1/2 tsp. (2 ml) vanilla, remaining 1/2 tsp. (2 g) salt, maple syrup, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar begins to bubble. Remove from the heat and spread evenly onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Lay down the bacon and bananas on the brown sugar mixture in diagonal rows, alternating bananas and bacon. Pour the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and whisk together. Small clumps are okay; do not overmix. Spread the batter over the bacon and bananas, gently smoothing the top. Immediately place in the oven and reduce the temperature to 400°F (200°C, or gas mark 6). Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean and the top of the pancake is lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool for 3 to 4 minutes. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut around the edges to ensure the pancake releases. Flip the pan upside down onto a large platter or cutting board. Remove the pan and gently pull the parchment off. Cut the pancake into squares, arrange on a platter, and keep warm until ready to serve, then place on the board.

Apple, Bacon and Cheddar Bread Pudding

Apple, Bacon and Cheddar Bread Pudding

Apple, Bacon and Cheddar Bread Pudding

 

1 T. unsalted butter

12 ounces bacon, cooked and coarsely chopped (reserve 2 T. bacon drippings)

1 small or medium sweet onion, diced

1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

1 T. chopped fresh chives

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium apple, peeled and diced (about 1½ cups)

2 T. brown sugar

4 cups (packed) stale country white or buttermilk bread, cubed or hand torn (the drier the better)

2½ cups shredded Tillamook Cheddar, plus ½ cup for the top of the pudding

6 eggs

2 cups half-and-half

2 tsp. salt

½ tsp. black pepper

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. ground nutmeg

Serve with real maple syrup, if desired

 

Butter an 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking dish. Add the bacon drippings to a skillet and heat over medium heat. Sauté diced onions until soft and golden. Stir in the fresh thyme, chives, garlic, apple, and brown sugar and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer. Place half the bread (2 cups packed) into the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle half the bacon, half the onion-apple mixture, and 1¼ cups shredded cheese over the bread. Place the remaining bread on top of the ingredients in the baking dish and repeat with the remaining bacon, onion-apple mixture, and 1¼ cups shredded cheese. Press down to keep all ingredients in the baking dish. Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Slowly pour the mixture over the top of the ingredients and press down a bit to be sure the liquid is evenly distributed. Top the bread pudding with the remaining ½ cup shredded Cheddar. Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the refrigerator overnight.  When ready to bake, remove the bread pudding from the refrigerator at least 30 to 45 minutes prior to baking. Bringing the pudding to room temperature before baking will ensure that it bakes evenly. To bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. I place my foil-covered baking dish on a baking sheet just in case any liquid escapes. It’ll catch on the baking sheet and not the bottom of my oven. Place the foil-covered baking dish in the oven and bake for about 1 hour. Remove the foil from the baking dish and allow it to bake for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the center of the bread pudding is springy to the touch and the top is golden. When the pudding is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes. Serve with a side of maple syrup if desired.

OAMC Cheesy Sausage & Sage Waffles

OAMC Cheesy Sausage & Sage Waffles

OAMC Cheesy Sausage & Sage Waffles

 

1 pound bulk breakfast sausage

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. baking soda

1 T. sugar

½ tsp. kosher salt

3 large eggs

½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1½ cups full-fat buttermilk

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

4 fresh sage leaves, minced

Pure maple syrup, for serving

 

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon, for 8 to 10 minutes, until crumbled and no pink remains. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate and let cool completely. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, butter, and buttermilk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold together with a rubber spatula just until mixed. Fold in the sausage, mozzarella, Parmesan, and sage. Preheat a waffle maker. If your waffle maker has heat settings, set it to medium. Spray the grids with nonstick cooking spray. Ladle some of the batter onto the bottom grid (about ¾ cup for a standard 7- to 8-inch round waffle), close the lid, and cook for about 4 minutes, until cooked through and golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining batter. TO FREEZE: Let the waffles cool completely at room temperature. Wrap each waffle individually in plastic wrap and carefully place the waffles in a zip-top plastic bag. Label and date and freeze for up to 3 months. TO REHEAT FROM FROZEN: Pull a waffle from the plastic bag and unwrap it. Toast in a toaster on medium-high heat until warm and crispy throughout. Alternatively, preheat the oven to 350°F, place the waffle on a rimmed baking sheet, and heat for about 15 minutes, until warm and crispy throughout. Drizzle with maple syrup and serve.

Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket

Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket

Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket

 

8 breakfast sausage links

1 cup pancake mix

3/4 cup milk

1 egg

2 T. vegetable oil

Maple syrup for serving

 

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cook the breakfast sausage links according to package instructions until slightly browned but not fully cooked. Set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, combine pancake mix, milk, egg, and vegetable oil. Stir until just combined; the batter should be slightly lumpy. Take a spoonful of batter and spread it out on the prepared baking sheet into an oval shape. Repeat this process for the remaining batter, making sure to leave some space between each one. Place a sausage link at the edge of each pancake oval and roll up, ensuring the sausage is fully encased. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pancakes are golden brown and sausages are cooked through. Serve warm with maple syrup for dipping.

Orange Muffins with Orange Glaze

Orange Muffins with Orange Glaze

Orange Muffins with Orange Glaze

 

2½ cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 T. baking powder

1 T. minced fresh thyme

½ tsp. salt

¾ cup milk

¼ cup butter, melted

2 tsp. orange zest

½ cup fresh orange juice

2 large eggs

½ cup confectioners’ sugar

1 T. fresh orange juice

 

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, thyme, and salt. In a small bowl, combine milk, melted butter, orange zest, orange juice, and eggs, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Add milk mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Spoon batter into a muffin pan that has been filled with paper liners or sprayed with cooking spray and dusted with flour. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. In a small bowl, whisk confectioners sugar and 1 T. orange juice until smooth. Drizzle glaze over hot muffins, and serve warm.

Winter Toast

Winter Toast

Tahini + Banana + Cardamom + Honey

Combine 1 part honey with 2 parts tahini, and spread it on toast. Top it with banana slices, sprinkle with a very, very small pinch of cardamom, and (optionally) top with a little more honey and/or coarse sugar to make it extra sweet and pretty.

 

Labneh + Banadurah Harrah (Lebanese Salsa)

Not much explanation necessary: smear some labneh, then smear some banadurah harrah.

 

Roast Squash + Pistachios + Honey + Cinnamon + Cream Cheese

If you like pumpkin pie, you’ll like this toast. If you don’t like pumpkin pie, you’ll like this toast. Slice your squash of choice (pictured here: mini kabocha) into 1/2-inch slices and roast at 400° F until soft on the inside and a little crispy on the outside. Spread cream cheese on toast, top with roast squash, drizzle with honey, and finish with finely chopped pistachios and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

 

Cilantro + Feta + Olive Oil + Sliced Red Onions

Thinly slice or crumble feta on toast, top with a big heap of cilantro (or parsley, mint, or basil), a few thin slices of red onion, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my mother and grandmother, it’s that you can eat leafy herbs in a salad-like-quantity (not much sprinkling going on around here).

 

Labneh + Za’Atar + Red Pepper Flakes + Olive Oil

This is another easy one. Simply spread some labneh, sprinkle liberally with za’atar and a pinch of crushed red pepper, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

 

 

Crumbly Cheese + Caraway + Green Onions + Cucumber

Combine your favorite crumbly cheese with caraway seeds (or make gubta mtumarta / buried cheese), crumble on toast, and top with chopped green onions and sliced cucumber.

Everything but the Bagel Omelet

Everything but the Bagel Omelet

Everything but the Bagel Omelet

 

½ tsp. unsalted butter

2 large eggs

1 tsp. bagel seasoning

1 oz. cooked bacon, chopped

2 oz. deli turkey, chopped

2 tsp. sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

2 T. cream cheese

 

Prepare the sun-dried tomatoes, turkey, and bacon. Divide the cream cheese into small pieces. Set aside. Melt the butter in a small skillet or omelet pan over low heat. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl with the bagel seasoning until frothy. Pour the eggs into the skillet. When the egg begins to cook add the bacon, turkey, tomatoes, and cream cheese to one side of the omelet. Fold the other side of the omelet over the filling and continue cooking to warm the filling and melt the cream cheese. Carefully flip the omelet to warm the other side if necessary. Serve with a garnish of fresh herbs such as chives, basil, or thyme if desired.

Low Carb Huevos Rancheros

Low Carb Huevos Rancheros

Low Carb Huevos Rancheros

 

½ cup olive oil

1 (4 oz.) white onion, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 fresh jalapeños, minced

2 cups (1 lb) crushed tomatoes

2 tsp salt, or to taste

1 tsp pepper, or to taste

8 eggs

½ cup shredded queso fresco

4 T. fresh cilantro, chopped

1 (7 oz.) avocado, sliced

 

Heat one third of the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the jalapeños cooking until they becomes slightly tender. Then add the onion and garlic, and cook stirring until the onions start to become translucent. Pour in the tomatoes and lower the heat. Simmer covered until the tomato is cooked through and the mixture has reduced to a thick sauce. Season with some of the salt and pepper to taste, remove it from the heat and set aside. Heat the remaining oil over medium temperature in a frying pan. Fry the eggs one at a time until the white has set and the egg has a crispy edge and runny yolk. Sprinkle the eggs with a bit of salt and pepper. Serve the eggs on the tomato sauce, and garnish with the queso fresco and cilantro. Serve with avocado on the side

Whipped Ricotta Toast with Jam

Whipped Ricotta Toast with Jam

Whipped Ricotta Toast with Jam

 

1 16-ounce container whole-milk ricotta

½ tsp. kosher salt

3½ T. olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling

2 T. jam

2 slices sourdough

Flaky sea salt

 

Add ricotta and salt to a food processor and blitz until smooth. With the motor running, slowly stream in 2½ T. olive oil until fully incorporated and ricotta is creamy, about 2 minutes. Transfer whipped ricotta to a piping bag, set aside. Add jam to a separate piping bag, set aside. Heat remaining 1 T. of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Fry up both pieces of sourdough until golden and toasted on both sides. Cut ½-inch off the tip of the piping bag with whipped ricotta and pip a layer over the toasted sourdough. Cut ¼-inch off the tip of the piping bag with jam and pip lines of jam over the whipped ricotta. Repeat with remaining toast and serve immediately.

German Pancakes with Fresh Fruit

German Pancakes with Fresh Fruit

German Pancakes with Fresh Fruit

 

¾ cup + 3 T. (4½ ounces) all-purpose flour

2 eggs

¾ cup + ½ T. (6½ ounces) low-fat or fat-free milk

1 tsp. sugar

Pinch of salt

¼ cup seltzer water

2 T. butter

Fresh fruit for filling

Maple syrup

Confectioner’s sugar for dusting

 

Beat the flour with the eggs and the milk in a bowl with a wire whisk or with an electric mixer to a smooth batter without lumps. Add sugar, salt and seltzer water. Melt 1 T. butter in a large non-stick pan until is sizzles but does not turn brown. Pour half of the batter into the skillet and wiggle the pan a bit so the batter is evenly distributed. Cook the pancake over low-medium heat until set all through the center and golden brown at the bottom. Flip the pancake over using the lid and cook until golden brown from the other side. Place the pancake on a large plate. Melt the remaining butter in the pan and bake the second pancake the same way. Distribute the fruit over the first pancake and top with the second pancake. Dust with confectioner’s sugar and serve immediately.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Squash Toast

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Squash Toast

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Squash Toast

 

1 2 1/2- to 3-pound kabocha or butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into pieces 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp. dried chile flakes, more to taste

3 tsp. kosher salt

1 yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup maple syrup

4 slices country bread, 1-inch thick

1/2 cup ricotta

Coarse salt

4 T. chopped mint

 

Heat the oven to 450. Combine the squash, 1/4 cup olive oil, chile flakes and 2 tsp. of salt in a bowl and toss well. Transfer the mixture to a parchment-lined baking sheet and cook, stirring once, until tender and slightly colored, about 15 minutes or a little longer. Remove from the oven. Meanwhile, heat another 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat, add the onions and remaining tsp. salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are well softened and darkening, about 10-15 minutes. Add the vinegar and syrup, stir and reduce over medium-low heat until syrupy and broken down, 10-15 minutes; the mixture should be jammy. Combine squash and onions in a bowl and smash with a fork until combined. Taste for seasoning. Add the remaining oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, add bread and cook until just golden on both sides, less than 10 minutes total; drain on paper towels. Spread cheese on toasts, then top with the squash-onion mixture. Sprinkle with coarse salt and garnish with mint. Alternatively, boil penne or rigatoni in lightly salted water, setting aside 1-2 cups of starchy pasta water towards the end. Toss the cooked pasta with the squash-onion mixture, thinning it with pasta water until you get the desired thickness and top with grated Parmesan cheese. The amount of squash and onions above will make enough “sauce” for 4-6 portions. If you go the pasta route, you can leave off the ricotta and mint.