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Category: Breakfasts

Mildly Decadent French Toast Souffle

Mildly Decadent French Toast Souffle

1/2 lb. croissants (2 or 3)
About 1/2 C. (1/4 lb.) butter or margarine, at room temperature
2 packages (3 oz. each) Neufchatel cheese, at room temperature
1 1/4 C. maple syrup
10 large eggs
3 C. lowfat milk
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 T. chopped pecans
Powdered sugar
Raspberries or edible flowers, such as rose petals or nasturtiums, rinsed and drained, optional

Tear croissants into 1/2-inch chunks. Whirl in a food processor until coarsely chopped, or chop with a knife. Butter 8 soufflé dishes (1- to 1 1/4-C. size) and fill equally with croissant pieces. In a food processor, combine Neufchatel cheese, 1/2 C. butter, and 1/4 C. maple syrup; whirl until blended. (Or, in a bowl, beat with a mixer until smoothly blended.) Drop equal portions into each soufflé dish. In a bowl, beat eggs to blend with 1/2 C. maple syrup and the milk. Pour equally into each soufflé dish. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Cover and chill at least 8 hours or up to 1 day. Set dishes slightly apart in a 10- by 15- inch pan. Bake, uncovered, in a 350° oven until pudding-soufflés are richly browned and centers barely jiggle when gently shaken, 45 to 50 minutes. About 5 minutes before pudding-soufflés finish baking, in a 1- to 1 1/2 quart pan over medium-high heat, frequently stir remaining 1/2 C. maple syrup until hot. Sprinkle pudding-soufflés with pecans, dust with powdered sugar, garnish with berries or flowers, and add hot syrup to taste.

Apple Waffles

Apple Waffles

Waffle Batter
2 Grated Apples
Red Food Coloring
Gummy Worms
Pretzel

Add apples and food coloring to waffle batter and prepare as normal.

LTS Wacky Retro Penny Pancakes

LTS Wacky Retro Penny Pancakes

1 T. Oil
1 can Vienna Sausages
2 3/4 C. pancake mix (homemade or packaged mix)
2 1/4 C. water
1/3 C. oil
Maple Syrup

Slice Vienna sausages into ¼ inch thick pennies, and brown on both sides in 1 T. oil. While sausages are cooking, combine pancake mix, water and oil; mix well. Group several sausage slices together and pour enough batter over them to form the pancake around the sausages. When bubbles form on surface of the pancake, flip and cook until done.

Bacon & Egg Breakfast Muffins

Bacon & Egg Breakfast Muffins

Bacon and eggs…in a muffin! These are great for “grab and go”. This makes 4 large muffins. This recipe isn’t suitable for ordinary size muffin tins as it isn’t large enough to hold the egg and batter. You could also use a large popover pan.

4 oz. / 120 g bacon, chopped (I used lean bacon)
½ C. scallions / shallots, chopped
1 C. grated cheddar cheese (or any other flavored melting cheese)

1¼ C. plain flour
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. baking soda
Wet Ingredients
½ C. milk + ½ tsp. white vinegar OR ½ C. buttermilk
½ tsp. salt
5 tsp. sour cream (full fat)
2 tsp. vegetable oil or melted butter
1 egg

4 eggs
1 tsp. melted butter (optional, for brushing)

Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Spray 4 Texas muffin tin holes with oil (or grease with butter). Heat a nonstick pan over high heat. Add bacon and fry until lightly browned. Remove onto a paper towel to drain the fat, then set aside. Place Dry Ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. Whisk Wet Ingredients in a separate bowl. Pour the Wet Ingredients into the Dry Ingredients until just combined. Do not over mix. Fold in bacon, scallions and cheese. Place 3 tsp. the batter into 4 muffin tin holes. Bang the tin to flatten the batter. Make a divot in the batter (so the egg yolk settles in the middle). Crack an egg into each hole. Divide the remaining batter between each hole to cover the egg. Brush the muffins with melted butter (optional), then bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack.

I find the easiest way to top the egg with batter and keep the yolk in the middle is to place 3 tsp. batter around the yolk then 1 one top of the yolk. Then gently spread to cover the whole egg.

Friendly Fiber Muffins

Friendly Fiber Muffins

Friendly Fiber Muffins1 C. whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 3/4 C. Kashi Good Friends cereal
3/4 C. skim milk, rice or soy milk
1/4 C. honey
2 egg whites
1/4 C. unsweetened applesauce
1 medium ripe banana, mashed
non-stick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine Kashi Good Friends cereal and milk and let stand for 2-3 minutes. Add the egg whites and beat well. Stir in honey, applesauce and banana. Add flour mixture and mix only until dry ingredients are moistened (over-mixing will produce rubbery muffins). Fill sprayed muffin tins. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Sunshine Smoothie

Sunshine Smoothie

Sunshine Smoothie

 

½ C. Orange Juice

½ C. Pineapple Juice

½ C. Sliced Mango

½ Banana

1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder

 

Blend with Ice.

Soft Eggs with Buttery Herb-Gruyere Toast Soldiers

Soft Eggs with Buttery Herb-Gruyere Toast Soldiers

16 sourdough toast fingers
4 T. (2 oz.) unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp. smooth Dijon mustard
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 C. finely grated gruyère cheese (about 1 1/2 oz.)
2 T. finely grated Romano cheese
1 T. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme leaves (optional)
4 large eggs

Make croutons: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place bread cubes in shallow, wide bowl. Whisk together butter and Dijon, then pour over bread fingers. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, both types of cheese, parsley and thyme, if using. Toss to coat. Spray rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Scatter bread on sheet. Bake croutons until crisp and golden, turning, about 20 minutes. Set aside.

Meanwhile, cook eggs: Bring a medium pot of water to a steady boil. Add eggs and cook them for exactly six minutes, maintaining the heat at a simmer, then drain and rinse them briefly in cold water.

Holding the egg vertically, pointier side down, with a towel or paper towel to protect you from its heat, tap a knife around the “neck,” about half an inch below the top so that you can remove a little “lid” area. Place the egg in a small dish, opened side up, and serve with a small spoon and toast soldiers.

Don’t have adorable chicken or other tiny egg C. and spoons? With a little patience, you can peel the soft-boiled eggs as you would a hard-boiled one. It’s tricky, because they are liquid in the center, but doable. For this method, arrange four of your croutons on a small plate. Place the peeled egg over the croutons and smash it lightly, delightfully (if you don’t find this to be really fun, I am not sure we can be friends) with a fork. Season with salt and pepper and eat with a fork and knife.

Latke Waffles

Latke Waffles

2 large or 4 medium (2 pounds) Russet or baking potato, peeled
1 medium onion, peeled
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. table or fine sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 C. plus 2 T. all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
Nonstick spray, for waffle iron
2 T. fresh chives, finely chopped, for garnish (optional)

Heat oven to 350. Lightly oil a large baking sheet and set aside. In a food processor or on a box grater, coarsely shred the potato and onion. For longer strands, lay the potato sideways in the chute of your food processor. Transfer grated mixture to a bowl lined with a fuzz-free dishcloth (linen is great here) or cheesecloth. Pull up the sides of the cloth, forming a bag of grated ingredients, and twist it until you’ve squeezed out all of the excess liquid. Let stand for 1 to 2 minutes, then squeeze out one more time. Discard the liquid in the bowl, then add wrung-out shredded potato and onion to it. Sprinkle baking powder, salt and several grinds of black pepper over mixture and stir with a fork until it distributes throughout the shreds. Add flour, and again, stir into the potato-onion mixture until the pieces are evenly coated. Crack eggs on top; use your fork to break up the yolks and stir them so that they’re evenly distributed through the batter. Heat your waffle iron to high heat. Once hot, coat lightly with a nonstick spray. Heap some latke mixture on top and spread it into an even layer. Cook until the latkes are a nice, deep golden brown underneath. (I found that the bottom colors better than the top, but you’ll even this out in the oven.) Transfer to oiled baking sheet, paler side down, and place in warmed oven. Continue with remaining latke batter. Keep latke waffles in oven until crisp (about 5 to 10 minutes), or until all the other parts of your meal are ready. Serve with applesauce or sour cream, latke-style, or breakfast-style, with eggs and bacon. Sour cream is pretty good with the eggs, too. Chives make it pretty.

WIW: “Everything” Savory Potato Waffles with Smoked Salmon

WIW: “Everything” Savory Potato Waffles with Smoked Salmon

WIW: “Everything” Savory Potato Waffles with Smoked Salmon

1 T. sesame seeds, toasted

2 tsp. poppy seeds

1 tsp. dried minced garlic

1 tsp. dried minced onion

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

 

2 medium russet potatoes, peeled

3/4 C. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

2 large eggs

1/2 C. whole milk

3 T. unsalted butter, melted

2 scallions, chopped

 

8 oz. smoked salmon

1/2 C. creme fraiche

1 T. capers

1/4 C. small dill sprigs

 

For the “everything” seasoning: In a small bowl, stir together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion and salt. Set aside. For the waffles: Coarsely grate the potatoes on a box grater. Wrap the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out the excess moisture. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and 1 T. of the “everything” seasoning together in a large bowl. Add the potatoes, eggs, milk, butter and scallions; stir to combine. Preheat a waffle iron. Using 1/3 C. batter per waffle, cook the waffles for about 4 minutes (or according to manufacturer’s directions). With an offset spatula, flip the waffles and cook an additional 2 minutes, or until they’re a deep golden brown. As you go, transfer the cooked waffles to a baking sheet and keep warm in a low oven. To serve: Top the waffles with smoked salmon and a dollop of creme fraiche, sprinkle with capers and “everything” seasoning, and garnish with a dill sprig.

WIW:  Savory Cheese Waffles

WIW:  Savory Cheese Waffles

WIW: Savory Cheese Waffles

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 large eggs

2 cups whole milk

8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), melted

2 cups shredded Irish cheddar cheese (about 5 ounces), such as Dubliner

 

Heat the oven to 250°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Set a wire rack on a baking sheet and place it in the oven. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl to aerate and break up any lumps; set aside. Place the eggs in a second large bowl and whisk until just broken up. Add the milk and, while whisking constantly, slowly pour in the melted butter until evenly combined. Add the cheese and stir until combined. Add the milk-cheese mixture to the flour mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until the flour is just incorporated and no streaks remain (the batter may have a few lumps); set aside. Heat a Belgian waffle iron to medium according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once heated, fill it with batter, close the lid, and cook until the steam starts to diminish (open the top and peek for doneness after a few minutes). Transfer the waffle to the wire rack in the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining batter.  What to buy: Irish cheddar, often labeled Kerrygold or Dubliner, is an aged cow’s-milk cheese that has the sharpness of cheddar combined with the hard, crumbly texture of Parmesan. You can find it in the dairy section of most well-stocked grocery stores or online.

Oat, Apple & Raisin Muffins

Oat, Apple & Raisin Muffins

Oat, Apple & Raisin Muffins1 C. Sun-Maid Zante Currants or Sun-Maid Natural Raisins
1 C. apple, cored, peeled and chopped
1 egg
1/4 C. oil
3/4 C. milk
1/3 C. sugar
1 C. all-purpose flour
1 C. quick-cooking oats, uncooked
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice
2 T. brown sugar, packed

Combine currants or raisins with apple, egg, oil, milk and sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Stir together flour, oats, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice in a separate bowl. Stir into raisin mixture just until combined. Divide batter equally into 12 greased or lined muffin C.. Sprinkle tops of batter with 1/2 tsp. brown sugar per muffin. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden. Makes one dozen.

Charred Tomatoes with Fried Eggs on Garlic Toast

Charred Tomatoes with Fried Eggs on Garlic Toast

Charred Tomatoes with Fried Eggs on Garlic Toast

4 slices rustic bread, toasted

1 clove garlic, peeled

1 T. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

4 large eggs

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

4 small tomatoes, such as cocktail or Campari, halved

 

Rub toasted bread with garlic and brush with oil. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium heat. Crack eggs into skillet and cook, undisturbed, until whites are set, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a plate. Increase heat to medium-high. Brush cut sides of tomatoes with oil. Sear, cut sides down and undisturbed, until charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer 2 tomato halves to each piece of toast with a spatula and lightly mash. Season with salt and pepper and top with fried eggs.

A Gallon of Granola

A Gallon of Granola

A Gallon of Granola

 

8 cups old-fashioned oats

2 cups coarsely chopped nuts (cashews, pecans, or almonds)

2 cups raw (untoasted) sunflower seeds

1 cup sesame seeds

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut (available in health food stores)

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup maple syrup

3/4 cup light-tasting vegetable oil, such as sunflower oil

2 cups chopped dried fruit (raisins, currants, and dates are good)

 

Preheat oven to 35O°F. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the oats, nuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, coconut, and salt. Warm the maple syrup and oil in a saucepan. Pour over the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon, then roll up your sleeves and work the mixture with your hands until everything is damp. Spread on baking sheets—no more than about V2 inch thick—and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden. When the granola has cooled, stir in the dried fruit. Store in jars or plastic bags.  Yield: 1 gallon  VARIATION: Instead of all oats, use other grain flakes: bran or untoasted wheat germ can replace some of the seeds.

Chef Meg’s Blueberry Flax Seed Muffins

Chef Meg’s Blueberry Flax Seed Muffins

Chef Meg's Blueberry Flax Seed Muffins1 T. flax seeds
1 C. blueberries
1 C. quick oats
1 C. lowfat buttermilk
1 C. whole wheat flour
1/4 C. unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 whole egg
3/4 C. brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray muffin pans with nonstick spray or line with paper liners. Use a clean coffee grinder to roughly grind the flax seeds, trying not to process them into a mealy texture. (You can use pre-ground flax if that’s what you have on hand.) Wash and dry the blueberries. In a small bowl, combine the oats and buttermilk, and let stand at room temperature for five minutes. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; mix with a fork to blend and set aside. In a large bowl and using a hand mixer, beat the egg, applesauce, brown sugar at medium speed for 3 minutes. Blend in the oat-buttermilk mixture. Stir in the flour mixture only to combine, try not to overwork the mixture. Fold in the blueberries. Fill muffin C. 3/4 full and top with a sprinkle of flax seed. Bake 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Tomato Omelets with Marjoram

Tomato Omelets with Marjoram

Tomato Omelets with Marjoram

Ruth Bass, who wrote a series of books celebrating the use of herbs in cooking, says there are two ways to mingle tomato, marjoram, and eggs. You can cut cherry tomatoes in half, heat a little olive oil in a small skillet, put them in cut side down, and then serve them sprinkled with fresh marjoram next to eggs. Or you can turn out this omelet, which combines tomatoes, marjoram, and farmer cheese.

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped

3 large shallots, minced

1 cup farmer cheese, crumbled (farmers cheese is a form of cottage cheese, from which most liquid has been pressed)

2 teaspoons minced fresh marjoram

8 eggs

¼ cup water

salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 tablespoons butter

 

Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the tomatoes and shallots and cook until soft, stirring frequently. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese and marjoram. Set aside. Beat the eggs with a fork until they are light and well blended. Add the water and salt and pepper to taste. Heat a large omelet pan or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter, swirling to coat pan. Add the eggs to the pan. With one hand, shake the pan back and forth while stirring the eggs with your other hand. Stir, using a fork held flat so as not to break through the bottom of the omelet. When the eggs begin to form curds and set along the bottom, stop stirring. With the back of the fork, spread the eggs evenly around the pan. Spoon the tomato mixture across the middle of the omelet. Let cook another minute or so.

Tilt the pan up and use the fork to roll the top third of the omelet onto the filling. If you want the omelet lightly browned, let it sit for a few seconds. Tilt the pan over a serving platter and make a second fold by sliding the omelet out of the pan, seam side down, onto the platter. Serve immediately.  For scallion omelet, use only 2 tomatoes and add ½ C. chopped scallions.

Chile Cheese Baby Dutch Babies

Chile Cheese Baby Dutch Babies

Chile Cheese Baby Dutch Babies

4 large eggs

1 C. milk

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1 C. flour

1/4 C. diced salted butter

1/3 C. canned diced mild green chiles

1/3 C. diced pepper jack cheese

Salsa

 

Preheat oven to 425° with a rack in center and another beneath it. In a blender, whirl eggs, milk, and salt to break up. Add flour and whirl until smooth. Divide butter among 12 muffin C. (1/3-C. size). Bake on center rack in oven until butter melts and begins to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour batter into C. and sprinkle with chiles and cheese. Set on center rack and put a rimmed baking sheet beneath to catch any drips. Bake until Dutch babies are very well-browned and puffed, 18 to 20 minutes.

 

Yield: 6 servings

Calories: 242

Fat: 15g

Fiber: .7g

Cinnamon-Orange Pancakes

Cinnamon-Orange Pancakes

3/4 C. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. wheat germ
1 C. whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 C. skim milk
3/4 C. fresh orange juice
1 egg or equivalent egg substitute
1 tsp. grated fresh orange peel
Vegetable oil spray

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix until well blended. In another medium bowl, combine all liquid ingredients and orange peel. Stir to mix well. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and stir only until moistened. Preheat griddle or skillet for pancakes. Spray lightly with vegetable oil spray. For each pancake, pour 1/4 C. batter onto griddle or skillet. Turn each pancake when edges are dry and bubbles appear on top. Serve hot.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 171
Fat: 1g
Fiber:

Tomato Strata

Tomato Strata

Tomato Strata

12 slices sourdough or regular French bread, cut in 1/2-inch diagonal slices

3 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced

1/2 cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil and drained)

1 cup shredded fresh basil leaves

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups mixed grated Fontina and Gruyère cheeses

4 eggs

2 egg whites

3 cups evaporated skim milk

1 teaspoon dried oregano

¼ teaspoon salt

freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

 

Lightly coat a 2-quart casserole dish with vegetable cooking spray; line the dish with six slices of the bread. Arrange the tomato slices and sun-dried tomatoes over the bread; scatter the basil leaves on top, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle Fontina and Gruyère over all. Lay the remaining bread slices over the cheese and press down.  In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and egg whites together until they are foamy. Add the milk, oregano, salt, and pepper and mix well. Pour this mixture over the bread. Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and let sit in the refrigerator overnight. Preheat oven to 35O°F. Sprinkle the strata with the Parmesan. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until puffy and golden brown.

 

No More Bisquick! 90% Whole Grain Pancake Mix

No More Bisquick! 90% Whole Grain Pancake Mix

4 C. White Whole Wheat Flour or Organic White Whole Wheat Flour
1 C. Unbleached All-Purpose Flour or Organic All-Purpose Flour
3 1/2 C. old-fashioned or rolled oats
3 tsp. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 C. vegetable oil

Pancakes
1 C. homemade mix
1 C. buttermilk, nut milk, or a combination of plain yogurt and milk; or 3/4 C. liquid whey
1 large egg

To make the mix: Grind the oats in a food processor until they’re chopped fine, but not a powder. Put the flour, oats, and all other dry ingredients into a mixer with a paddle. Mix on slow speed, and drizzle the vegetable oil into the bowl slowly while the mixer is running. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature, or indefinitely in the refrigerator or freezer. To make pancakes: Whisk together 1 C. mix, 1 C. buttermilk (or a combination of half plain yogurt and half milk; or 3/4 C. liquid whey), and 1 large egg. Don’t worry if it seems thin at first: the oats will soak up the milk, and the mix will thicken a bit as it stands. Let the batter stand for at least 20 minutes before cooking. Heat a lightly greased griddle to 350°F (if you’ve got a griddle with a temperature setting; if not, medium-hot will do). Drop the batter onto it in 1/4-C.fuls (a jumbo cookie scoop works well here) to make a 4″ diameter pancake. If you have English muffin rings, use them; they make a perfectly round, evenly thick pancake. When the edges look dry and bubbles come to the surface without breaking (after about 2 minutes, if your griddle is the correct temperature), turn the pancake over to finish cooking on the second side, which will take about 2 minutes. Serve pancakes immediately, or stack and hold in a warm oven. Yield: a batch using 1 C. the mix will make about 5 to 8 pancakes, depending on size.

ATK Perfect Omelet

ATK Perfect Omelet

4 large eggs, separated
1 tsp. unsalted butter, melted, plus 1 tsp. unsalted butter
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
¾ C. Filling
l oz. Parmesan cheese, grated (1/2 C.)

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk egg yolks, melted butter, and salt together in bowl. Place egg whites in bowl of stand mixer and sprinkle cream of tartar over surface. Fit stand mixer with whisk and whip egg whites on medium-low* speed until foamy, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high and whip until stiff peaks just start to form, 2 to 3 minutes. Using rubber spatula, fold egg yolk mixture into egg whites until no white streaks remain. Heat remaining 1 tsp. butter in 12-inch ovensafe nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, swirling to coat bottom of pan. When butter foams, quickly add egg mixture, spreading into even layer with spatula. Remove pan from heat and gently sprinkle filling and Parmesan evenly over top of omelet. Transfer to oven and cook until center of omelet springs back when lightly pressed, 4 1/2 minutes for slightly wet omelet and 5 minutes for dry omelet. Run spatula around edges of omelet to loosen, shaking gently to release. Slide omelet onto cutting board and let stand for 30 seconds. Using spatula, fold omelet in half. Cut omelet in half crosswise and serve immediately.

Asparagus and Smoked Salmon Filling

1 tsp. olive oil
1 shallot, sliced thin
5 oz. asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 1/2-inch lengths
Salt and pepper
1 oz. smoked salmon, chopped
1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add shallot and cook until softened and starting to brown, about 2 minutes. Add asparagus, pinch salt, and pepper to taste, and cook, stirring frequently, until crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer asparagus mixture to bowl and stir in salmon and lemon juice.

Mushroom Filling

1 tsp. olive oil
1 shallot, sliced thin
4 oz. white or cremini mushrooms, trimmed and chopped
Salt and pepper
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add shallot and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and 1/3 tsp. salt and season with pepper to taste. Cook until liquid has evaporated and mushrooms begin to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to bowl and stir in vinegar.

Artichoke & Bacon Filling

2 slices bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 shallot, sliced thin
5 oz. frozen artichoke hearts,
thawed, patted dry, and chopped
Salt and pepper
1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Cook bacon in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, 3 to 6 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate. Pour off all but 1 tsp. fat from skillet. Add shallot and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add artichokes, 1/3 tsp. salt, and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer artichoke mixture to bowl and stir in bacon and lemon juice.

Perfect Scrambled Eggs

Perfect Scrambled Eggs

If using extra-large eggs, reduce the number of whole eggs to seven. If using jumbo eggs, reduce the number of whole eggs to six. If you like, dress up these eggs by folding in 2 T. minced fresh parsley, chives, basil, or cilantro, or 1 T. minced fresh dill or tarragon, after reducing the heat to low.

Despite what you might think, the eggs shouldn’t be stirred constantly while they cook. Instead, fold them with a rubber spatula into a tidy (and high) pile that traps steam. More steam means more volume. So, for light, tender eggs, be gentle and use a rubber spatula.

8 large eggs plus 2 large yolks
1/4 C. half-and-half
Salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. unsalted butter, chilled (butter is a MUST)

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. Place 4 heatproof plates on rack. Beat eggs and yolks, half-and-half, 1/4 tsp. salt, and pepper with fork until thoroughly combined and mixture is pure yellow; do not overbeat.. Melt butter in 10-inch nonstick skillet (For eight eggs, we use a 10-inch pan—crowding the eggs in the pan traps steam and ensures fluffy results. Use an 8-inch pan when cooking four eggs (or less)) over medium-high heat (butter should not brown), swirling pan to coat. Add egg mixture and, using heat-resistant rubber spatula, constantly and firmly scrape along bottom and sides of skillet until eggs begin to clump and spatula leaves trail on bottom of skillet, 1 1/2 to 2 ½ minutes. Reduce heat to low and gently but constantly fold eggs until clumped and slightly wet, 30 to 60 seconds. Immediately transfer eggs to warmed plates and season with salt to taste. Serve immediately.

Smoked Salmon Scrambled Eggs with Chive Butter

Mash 3 tsp. softened unsalted butter with 3 T. minced fresh chives. Toast 4 (l-inch-thick) slices rustic white bread, then spread with 2 tsp. chive butter. Cook eggs as directed, first melting remaining chive butter in pan. Immediately spoon eggs on top of buttered toasts, top with 3 oz. smoked salmon, and serve. Garnish with extra chives if desired. You could replace salmon with sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, sautéed peppers, crisp bacon,
or browned sausage rounds.

Ricotta & Jam Sandwich

Ricotta & Jam Sandwich

Ricotta & Jam Sandwich

 

3 T. Ricotta Cheese

4 of your favorite Pancakes or 2 slices of bread

1 T. Jam

 

Spread ricotta evenly onto 2 of the pancakes. Top with the jam, then cover with the remaining pancakes. Turn it into a “honey bee pancake sandwich by swapping honey for the jam). Go savory on bread with pesto in place of the jam.

Kitchen Sink Muffins (many variations)

Kitchen Sink Muffins (many variations)

Kitchen Sink Muffins (many variations)

 

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

2 T. ground flax meal

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

⅓ cup granulated sugar

1 cup unsweetened applesauce or yogurt

2 T. melted butter

⅓ cup milk

 

Add-in Options

 

1 cup fresh or frozen fruit, thawed

½ cup pecans, walnuts or almonds, chopped

⅔ cup dried fruit

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup chocolate chips, semi-sweet

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place muffin liners in a 12 standard-size muffin pan. In a large mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients; flour, ground flax, baking powder, baking soda and sugar. Add in yogurt, melted butter and milk. Stir until thoroughly combined, creating a smooth, stiff batter. Gently fold in additional ingredient options, then divide batter equally spooning into the muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until tops are golden. Transfer to cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature, store remaining muffins in an airtight container.

Zucchini Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal

Zucchini Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal

Zucchini Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal

 

2 cups rolled oats

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

2 T. ground flax

1/2 tsp salt

1 overripe banana, mashed

1 cup shredded zucchini

1 cup milk or plant-based milk alternative

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla bean paste

2 T. brown sugar

2 T. butter, melted

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

2 T. semi-sweet chocolate chips

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a medium baking dish (mine was 9×7) and set aside. Mix dry ingredients (oats through salt) in a large mixing bowl. Mix wet ingredients (banana through butter) in a medium mixing bowl. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated. Pour into prepared baking dish and use the back of a spoon to evenly smooth out the top. Sprinkle with walnuts and chocolate chips. Bake for 30 minutes, or until set in the middle and slightly browned around the edges. Picky Eaters: Have a kid. who refuses to eat anything green? Try peeling your zucchini before shredding it. It will blend right into the oats and no one will realize they are eating veggies for breakfast. The chocolate chips also serve as a great distraction.

 

Grapefruit Cardamom Syrup & Cardamom Paloma

Grapefruit Cardamom Syrup & Cardamom Paloma

Grapefruit Cardamom Syrup

 

Peeled zest of 2 pink grapefruits (be sure the peel has no white pith)

Juice of 2 pink grapefruits

½ C. water

2 C. granulated sugar

Pinch sea salt

 

Combine zest, juice, water, sugar, salt and lemon juice in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add cardamom, remove from heat and let rest 1 hour. Fine strain, discard solids and funnel into a clean bottle or Mason jar. Label, date and refrigerate up to 2 weeks

 

Cardamom Paloma

 

1½ ounces silver tequila

2 ounces Grapefruit Cardamom Syrup

Soda water

Fresh grapefruit wedge or peel for garnish

 

Pour tequila and syrup over ice in an Old-Fashioned or highball glass, top with soda water and garnish with citrus. Makes 1 cocktail.

Cattail Griddlecakes

Cattail Griddlecakes

Cattail Griddlecakes

 

Top these versatile and blini-like griddlecakes with a fresh green salsa and a bite of chile. They also lend themselves well to Southeast Asian-style dipping sauces (fish sauce, lime, sugar, chile), and play well with smoked salmon or salmon roe with herb cheese, or with dollops of fragrant curry and yogurt. The recipe doubles very well.

 

1 cup immature male cattail flowers (green), stripped from the stalk

1 cup blanched fresh corn kernels

¼ cup flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. chile flakes

¼ cup plain yogurt

1 large egg, beaten

2 T. butter

 

Place the cattails, corn flour, baking powder, salt and chile in a bowl. Make a well in the center and add the yogurt and beaten egg. Stir well. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little more yogurt. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and melt some of the butter to coat the bottom. Scoop a spoonful of the thick batter into the pan. Repeat, making sure not to crowd the pan. When some bubbles in the surface of the griddlecakes pop, flip them over and cook the other side until golden, about 4 minutes. Keep warm in a folded napkin. Serve warm. (They freeze well, just reheat in a hot oven or in a toast oven.)

Avo Breakfast Bowl with Poached Eggs and Hollandaise

Avo Breakfast Bowl with Poached Eggs and Hollandaise

Avo Breakfast Bowl with Poached Eggs and Hollandaise

 

1/4 cup plus 2 T. cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup plus 2 T. warm water

2 T. canola oil

1/2 tsp. ground turmeric

1/2 tsp. salt

 

2 slices smoked ham

1/4 cup mashed avocado

1 T. Lime Citronette dressing

1 avocado, halved, pitted. thinly sliced, and shaped into a rose

2 large eggs, poached

1/2 tsp. sweet smoked paprika

 

MAKE THE HOLLANDAISE: In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, warm water, canola oil, turmeric, and salt until combined; transfer to a squeeze bottle and keep warm in a heatproof bowl of water set over a saucepan of simmering water.

 

MAKE THE BREAKFAST BOWL: Place the ham on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high until crispy, about 2 minutes; break into small pieces. Mix the mashed avocado and the dressing and divide between two small bowls. Top each with an avocado rose and a poached egg. Place the crispy ham alongside each rose, drizzle with hollandaise sauce, and sprinkle with the paprika.

 

 

lime citronette

 

It’s true that the ratio for salad dressing is typically 3 parts oil to 1 part acid, but we tweak ours closer to 4 parts oil to 1 part acid for a less acidic, more balanced flavor. Adding xanthan gum—a natural food additive that can be found in the baking section of most grocery stores or online—helps stabilize the emulsion of olive oil and lime juice, giving the dressing its light, velvety texture (but it’s optional if you don’t have it on hand).

 

1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 10 limes)

1 T. salt

1/8 tsp. xanthan gum (optional)

1 cup olive oil

 

In a blender, combine the lime juice, salt, xanthan gum (if using), and W cup water and blend on high speed until combined, about 20 seconds. With the motor running, stream in the olive oil until combined, about 20 seconds. Store the dressing in resealable containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Rhubarb Bacon Jam & Ricotta Toast

Rhubarb Bacon Jam & Ricotta Toast

Rhubarb Bacon Jam

 

3 – 5 slices bacon

2 cup finely chopped red onion

2 cup chopped fresh rhubarb

⅓ cup pure maple syrup

3 T. apple cider vinegar

1 lemon (1 tsp. zest; 1 T. juice)

Crusty bread

Whole milk ricotta cheese

 

Heat a large skillet over medium. Add bacon; cook about 8 minutes or until brown and crisp. Remove, reserving 2 T. drippings; drain bacon on paper towels. Add onion to skillet, stirring to scrape up any browned bits. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 8 to 10 minutes or until onion is soft and slightly caramelized, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, chop cooked bacon. Return to skillet. Stir in rhubarb, maple syrup, and vinegar. Continue cooking over medium-low 5 to 8 minutes or until rhubarb is soft, stirring occasionally. Stir in lemon zest and juice. Use a potato masher to slightly mash the mixture. Serve warm with bread and ricotta. Makes 14 servings.

Strawberry & Brie French Toast Sandwich for Two

Strawberry & Brie French Toast Sandwich for Two

Strawberry & Brie French Toast Sandwich for Two

 

2 oz. Brie Cheese, sliced

4 slices Sandwich or Challah bread

¼ C. Strawberry Preserves or Strawberry Jam

2 large Eggs, beaten

2 tsp. Milk

Nonstick Cooking Spray

 

Divide the Brie slices between two of the slices of bread. Top with the strawberry preserves, then place the remaining bread slices on top. In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Dunk the sandwiches into the egg mixture, coating both sides well. Cook the sandwiches in the skillet for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Serve hot.   Optional Finishing Touch: Sprinkle powdered sugar over the sandwiches before serving.

“Que Rico’’ Breakfast Tostada

“Que Rico’’ Breakfast Tostada

“Que Rico’’ Breakfast Tostada

 

8 large egg whites

Kosher salt

Freshly cracked black pepper

3 T. chopped scallions

Cooking spray or oil mister

1 cup fat-free refried beans

1 tsp. ground cumin

4 corn tostadas

1 cup reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend

1 fresh jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced, optional

1/4 cup pico de gallo, homemade or store-bought

1/2 medium (2 ounces) Hass avocado, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

4 sprigs of fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

 

Preheat the oven to 3 50°F. In a medium bowl, beat together the egg whites, TA tsp. salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Add the scallions and mix well. Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. When hot, lightly spray the pan with oil and add the eggs. Cook, stirring occasionally, until set, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. In a medium bowl, combine the refried beans, cumin, and Vs tsp. salt. Arrange the tostadas on a baking sheet and spread *A cup of the bean mixture over each tostada. Top each with 1/3 cup of the scrambled egg whites, *A cup of the cheese, and a few slices of jalapeno. Bake the tostadas until the cheese melts, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the tostadas to serving plates. Top with pico de gallo and avocado, and garnish with cilantro, if desired.

Brie and Apricot Toast

Brie and Apricot Toast

Brie and Apricot Toast

 

1 baguette

⅓ C. (100 grams) apricot preserves, divided

4 T. (56 grams) butter, divided

½ C. (80 grams) dried apricots

4 ounces (113 grams) thinly sliced prosciutto

4 ounces (113 grams) brie

A few sprigs fresh thyme

 

Preheat oven to 350°F with a rack in the center. Cut the baguette into six sections and halve each section lengthwise. Or, for appetizers, slice the baguette on the bias. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place sections, cut sides up, in a closely spaced single layer on the pan, leaving some room for the apricots. In a small bowl, melt one T. of the butter in the microwave. Stir it together with two T. of the apricot preserves. Add the dried apricots and stir to coat evenly. Place apricots in a single layer in the remaining space on the sheet pan. Bake for about 10 minutes, until bread is very lightly toasted and apricots are a bit sticky and jammy. Spread each baguette piece with some of the remaining butter and apricot preserves. Drape with a slice of prosciutto and top with a slice or two of brie and a couple of jammy apricots. Garnish with thyme and serve.

 

Notes: You can use any kind of good crusty bread that you like, but a simple baguette is just right. You can choose whether to cut it into larger segments for a more substantial presentation or thinly slice it on the bias for three-bite hors d’oeuvres. You can substitute a different cheese if you like. Good options include camembert, manchego, gorgonzola dolce, a good extra-sharp cheddar, or fresh goat cheese. For a vegetarian version or if you’re just not into prosciutto, it’s okay to simply leave it out. The other flavors will still make a fantastic combo. We prefer to make these toasts right before serving, especially since they only take about 20 minutes from start to finish. If you need to, you can toast the bread and warm up the apricots in advance, then assemble right before serving.

Crispy Fried Eggs with Spinach and Pine Nuts

Crispy Fried Eggs with Spinach and Pine Nuts

Crispy Fried Eggs with Spinach and Pine Nuts

 

3 T. extra virgin olive oil

200g baby spinach

Sea salt

A squeeze of lemon juice

2 large eggs

1 heaped tsp. finely sliced medium-hot red chilli

1 heaped tsp. finely grated fresh ginger

20g pine nuts

2 warm flatbreads, to serve

 

Heat a couple of tsp. of oil in a large nonstick frying pan over a medium heat and stir-fry the spinach until it wilts, adding it half at a time, and lightly seasoning with salt at the end. Spread this over the base of two warm dinner plates and squeeze over a little lemon. Heat another T. of oil in the pan, break in the eggs and fry for about 3 minutes until the edges are lacy and crisp, separating the whites if they touch and basting the yolk with the oil until it turns opaque (I confess to wearing rubber gloves for this to avoid any spitting fat). Slip these out of the pan on top of the spinach using a spatula, leaving the oil behind. Turn down the heat a little, stir the chilli and ginger into the oil and briefly fry before adding the pine nuts, then stir-fry until they are golden and the ginger crisp. Spoon this mixture over the egg and spinach. Serve accompanied by the flatbreads.

Raspberries & Blackberries Sweet Rolls

Raspberries & Blackberries Sweet Rolls

Raspberries & Blackberries Sweet Rolls Recipe

 

Dough

3 – 3 ½ C. all-purpose flour, divided

1/2 C. granulated sugar

1 T. instant yeast

1 tsp. salt

1 C. milk, warmed to about 75°F

1/3 C. vegetable oil

 

Filling

1 Package (6 ounces) Raspberries

1 Package (6 ounces) Blackberries

1 tsp. cornstarch

Zest of 1/2 large lemon (about 1 tsp.)

1/4 C. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1/2 C. granulated sugar or light brown sugar

 

Glaze

1 ½ C. confectioners’ sugar

3 T. unsalted butter, melted

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 – 3 T. whole milk, divided

 

Butter or spray lightly with oil a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish and set aside. Dough: Place 2 C. all-purpose flour into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Add 1/2 C. granulated sugar and Add 1 T. instant yeast and Add 1 tsp. salt. Add 1 C. warm milk and Add 1/3 C. vegetable oil. STIR ingredients until smooth. Add and stir in up to 1 ½ C. additional all-purpose flour until a soft dough forms. Mix dough using dough hook or knead by hand 5 – 7 minutes until smooth. Cover dough and let rest 10 minutes. Filling: Place 1 package (6 ounces) raspberries into a medium bowl. Add 1 package (6 ounces) blackberries and cut any very large blackberries into smaller pieces. Add 1 tsp. cornstarch. Add 1 tsp. lemon zest. Stir to combine and set aside berry mixture. Dust a work surface lightly with flour. Transfer dough to work surface. Roll out dough to a 12-inch x 18-inch rectangle. SPREAD 1/4 C. softened butter evenly over dough. SPRINKLE 1/2 C. granulated sugar evenly over dough. SPOON berry mixture over dough and SPREAD evenly and LEAVE a 1-inch border around edges. BEGIN with long end of dough and ROLL into a tight log. CUT into 12 even slices. TRANSFER pieces to prepared baking dish and LEAVE about 1 ½ inches between pieces. COVER baking dish with plastic wrap and PLACE in a warm location until dough is almost doubled in size (25 – 90 minutes). PREHEAT oven to 350°F. REMOVE plastic wrap and BAKE 25 – 30 minutes until edges are golden brown. Glaze: PLACE 1 ½ C. confectioners’ sugar into a small bowl. ADD 3 T. melted butter and ADD 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract. ADD 2 T. whole milk and STIR to combine. ADD up to 1 additional T. whole milk and STIR until glaze is a thick pourable consistency. DRIZZLE glaze over sweet rolls and SERVE warm.

Mixed Berry Crêpes with Ginger and Mascarpone

Mixed Berry Crêpes with Ginger and Mascarpone

Mixed Berry Crêpes with Ginger and Mascarpone

 

1 lb. strawberries, hulled and cut up

2 1/2 C. blackberries

2 C. blueberries

1/4 C. demerara sugar

1/4 C. minced crystallized ginger

4 oz. mascarpone cheese

 

Put all the berries, the demerara sugar, and ginger in a large bowl and toss gently with a rubber spatula until the sugar has disappeared and the berries are beginning to release their juices. Let the berries macerate for 30 minutes, and up to an hour. Transfer a third of the berries to a small bowl and set aside for the garnish. Using a potato masher, coarsely mash the remaining berries. In a small bowl, stir the mascarpone cheese vigorously with about 1 T of the juices from the berries. Lay the crepes presentation-side down on a clean work surface Divide the mascarpone equally among the crêpes, spreading it in a thick horizontal line across the center of each one. Drain the mashed berries (reserving the juices for drizzling) and divide among the crêpes, spreading them on top of the mascarpone. Roll each crêpe into a tight cylinder and arrange it on a dessert plate, seam-side down. Sprinkle the rolled crêpes with the reserved berry mixture and drizzle with the juices from the bottom of the bowls before serving.

Confetti Waffles

Confetti Waffles

Confetti Waffles

 

2 C. Flour

½ C. Sugar

2 tsp. Baking Powder

½ tsp. Salt

2 Eggs

1 C. Milk

1/3 C. Canola Oil

2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

½ C. Rainbow Sprinkles

 

Spray grids of waffle iron with nonstick spray and preheat. In a large bowl, use wire whisk to combine dry ingredients (not sprinkles). In a second bowl, mix wet ingredients. Pour egg mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just to combine; batter will be slightly lumpy. Stir in sprinkles gently. Use a ladle to scoop and pour batter into grids, but do not overfill. Cover and cook 4-5 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve with fun toppings.

Honey Ricotta Toast with Roasted Blackberries

Honey Ricotta Toast with Roasted Blackberries

Honey Ricotta Toast with Roasted Blackberries

 

4 slices bread of choice I used a whole wheat sourdough, but use what you like!

1 cup ricotta, room temp I used lowfat, but use whatever type you like.

3 cups blackberries fresh

4-6 leaves fresh mint

½ cup honey maybe more for drizzling

microgreens if using for topping

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread blackberries over baking sheet and drizzle with about ¼ cup honey. I used parchment paper for easy cleanup. Place in oven and roast for about 5-10 minutes. The berries will start to soften and the juices will run out. While they are roasting, toast your toast. I used an electric griddle and toasted it with a touch of butter. This isn’t necessary, but I like it this way. Thinly slice your mint too while it is toasting. Once the blackberries are done and toast toasted, start assembling.

Spread each piece of bread with about ¼ cup ricotta. Top with ¼ of the roasted blackberries, sliced mint, and microgreens if using. Finish them off with a light drizzle of honey.