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Category: Breakfasts

Savory Pudding with Sausage and Tomatoes

Savory Pudding with Sausage and Tomatoes

1 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 C. milk
3 large eggs
2 tsp. melted unsalted butter
1 tsp. coarse salt

1 pound sausage
5 whole scallions
1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
10 cherry tomatoes

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Blend flour, milk, eggs, butter, and salt. Brown sausage and scallions in olive oil in a 10-inch cast-iron pan. Pour batter over sausages, and top with tomatoes. Bake until puffed and set, about 30 minutes.

Breakfast Savory Hard Boiled Egg Muffins

Breakfast Savory Hard Boiled Egg Muffins

11 lg. Eggs, room temperature
½ C. plus 1 tsp. Safflower Oil (plus more for brushing, if not using cupcake liners)
8oz. Bulk Breakfast Sausage (or remove from casings)
2 C. Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
½ tsp. Baking Soda
¾ tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Sugar
½ C. Sour Cream
½ C. chopped Scallions
1 C. finely shredded Asiago Cheese (4oz.)

Prepare an ice bath. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 9 eggs and boil 6 minutes. Transfer to ice bath until cool enough to handle, then carefully peel and transfer to a paper towel lined plate. In medium skillet heat 1 tsp. oil over medium high heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring to break up until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and chop if necessary so no pieces are larger than about a pea. Preheat oven to 400. Line 9 C. a standard muffin tin with baking cups, or lightly brush with oil. In bowl whisk together dry ingredients. In another bowl, whisk together remaining ½ C. oil, ¼ C. water, sour cream and remaining 2 eggs. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in sausage, scallions and ½ C. cheese. Batter should be thick and dough like. Fill each prepared muffin C. with 2 tsp. batter. Nestle a cooked egg in the center of each. Add another 2 tsp. batter over the egg, flattening slightly to form a disk and press gently to seal. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the tops of the muffins. Bake until golden and tops lightly spring back when pressed, about 22 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes in tin, then transfer to wire rack and let cool completely.

Lemon Raspberry Dutch Baby

Lemon Raspberry Dutch Baby

For a fast and delicious, drama filled breakfast the Dutch Baby has you covered! Not just reserved for special occasions, this German pancake is no fuss and so delicious.

1/2 C. All Purpose Flour
1 T. Organic Cane Sugar
1/4 tsp. Sea Salt
3 Large Eggs, room temperature
1/2 C. Milk (nut or dairy), room temperature
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Zest of 1 Lemon
1 C. Fresh Berries, such as raspberries or blueberries, divided
2 T. Unsalted Butter

Fresh Berries
Powdered Sugar for Dusting
Lemon Curd
Lemon Wedges if Desired

Preheat the oven to 425F (218C). Place a 10″ cast iron skillet on the center rack to preheat while the oven is warming. In a small bowl, mix the flour, sugar and salt. Set aside. Meanwhile crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl. To the eggs add the milk, extract and zest. Whip with a whisk to break up the eggs. To the egg mixture, add the flour mixture. Whisk until perfectly smooth, or for at least 2 minutes. Your arm will get tired, but just consider it your morning workout! *Work quickly but carefully here! When the oven is preheated (I highly recommend an oven thermometer to double check), use an oven mitt to carefully remove the pan from the oven. Place the butter in the pan and swirl it around to help it melt. It will sputter and spit, so be careful. As soon as the butter is melted, carefully pour in the batter and gently place 1/2 C. of berries spread evenly over the top of the batter. Carefully place the pan back in the oven, in the same spot without sloshing the batter around in the pan. Bake for 14-15 minutes until the edges are toasty golden and puffed. Remove from oven and allow the pancake to deflate before sprinkling it with lemon, powder sugar and more berries. Serve with Lemon Curd. Store in a lidded container for up to two days. Reheat at 325F (180C) for about 8 minutes.

Chef Capon’s Cheddar Bacon Waffles

Chef Capon’s Cheddar Bacon Waffles

2 C. all-purpose flour (10 oz)
¾ C. granulated sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
3 eggs, separated
1.5 C. milk
1 C. unsalted butter, melted
6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
2.5 oz. grated cheddar cheese
3 scallions, chopped

Preheat your waffle iron. Mine only has one setting anyway, but you want the iron to be pretty hot. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. In a large bowl, whisk to combine the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Set aside. In another bowl, whisk to combine the egg yolks, milk, and butter. Set aside. In a large (and very clean) bowl, use a hand mixer to whip the egg whites to soft peaks. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and mix until they are almost combined. Add the egg whites, bacon, cheese, and scallions to the bowl, and gently fold them in until combined. Portion the batter into your waffle iron (the amount will vary by waffle iron, but I use about one C. per waffle), and cook for approximately 5 minutes, until golden brown. When the waffle has finished cooking, place directly on the wire rack in the oven, to let the steam escape. Finish cooking the remaining waffles, and enjoy!

Cinnamon French Toast Sticks

Cinnamon French Toast Sticks

4 thick slices white Texas Toast bread (stale bread is best)
1½ T. butter
2 eggs
¼ C. milk
Salt
¼ C. sugar
½ tsp. cinnamon powder

Remove the crust and cut the bread into 4 sticks. Using a large bowl, mix the milk and eggs + a pinch of salt. Set aside. In another flat bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. Cut the butter half and heat it up over medium heat. Quickly, roll the bread sticks into the egg mixture – make sure to shake off the excess and place in a pan. Turn each side until golden brown. Once done, transfer immediately in the cinnamon sugar mixture and roll to coat. This way, the mixture sticks easily when the bread is hot. Melt remaining batter and cook the remaining French toast sticks. Serve immediately and garnish with any syrup.

Whole Wheat Walrus Waffles

Whole Wheat Walrus Waffles

2 lg. Eggs
1 ¾ C. Milk
¼ C. Oil (or melted butter)
2 tsp. Honey
1 tsp. ground Cinnamon
¼ tsp. Baking Soda
1 ½ C. Whole Wheat Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/8 tsp. Salt
Cooking Spray or Butter
2 pieces Cooked Turkey Bacon
1 Banana
3 Blueberries

Preheat waffle iron. In large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, honey, cinnamon and baking powder until well combined. Add in flour, baking powder, and salt and whisk just until large lumps disappear. Spray or butter your waffle iron and griddle to the directions of your waffle iron manufacturer. Keep warm under foil until all are cooked. To decorate a waffle, cut two slices from a banana for eyes. Add blueberries for pupils, and a blueberry for a nose. Cut the rest of the banana in half and place to resemble tusks. Finally, lay the bacon over the bananas to make a moustache.

Chicken & Egg Breakfast

Chicken & Egg Breakfast

Chicken Pancakes

Pancake Mix (or favorite homemade recipe)
1 Strawberry
1 Hard Boiled Egg
1 Piece of Turkey Bacon
1 Orange Slice
Granola
1 Chocolate Chip

Start out by pouring your pancake mix in a pan on low heat making a large pancake. Cut around the edges in the shape of a chicken. Cut out the tail & wing from the scraps using kitchen scissors. We cut slices from 1 strawberry for the top. We used an orange slice from the beak. We cut a piece of turkey bacon for the feet and waddle & a chocolate chip for the eye. We place granola at the bottom & then placed the hard boiled egg on top.

Breakfast Chex Mix

Breakfast Chex Mix

2 C. wheat chex
2 C. rice chex
2 C. bran chex
2 C. o’s cereal
1 C. slivered almonds
5 T. butter
1/3 C. honey
2 C. dried bananas, blueberries, cherries, raisins

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place all the cereals and nuts in a large bowl. Toss to combine. Place the butter in a 13 x 9 inch pan and melt in the oven. Once the butter has melted, add the honey to the butter and whisk together. Pour the cereals into the butter/honey mixture and stir to combine. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. Add the dried fruit to the cereal mixture and toss to combine. Serve

Pull Apart Bacon French Toast Muffins

Pull Apart Bacon French Toast Muffins

5 C. of bread cut into 2cm/1″ cubes (fresh or stale – see notes 1 and 2)
3 rashers bacon, diced
Oil spray

3 eggs
1¼ C. milk (low or full fat)
1 tsp sugar
2 pinches salt

Maple syrup (optional)

Combine the Egg Mixture ingredients in a bowl and whisk with a fork until combined. Add bread cubes and mix well to each piece of bread is well coated with the Egg Mixture. If using fresh bread, set aside for 10 to 30 minutes in the fridge. If using stale bread, set aside for 20 minutes to overnight. If you’re in a rush, use your hands to gently squeeze the cubes to help them absorb the egg mixture faster. Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Spray a medium fry pan with oil spray and heat on high heat. Add the bacon and cook until just starting to brown. Don’t cook until it is very brown because otherwise it will overcook in the oven. Remove bacon from fry pan and drain on absorbent paper. Spray 6 holes in a muffin tin. Mix the bread-egg mixture to evenly disperse the egg mixture that will have settled at the bottom of the bowl. Divide â…“ of the bread-egg mixture between the 6 muffin C.. Sprinkle with half the bacon, then press the mixture down with medium pressure using the back of a spoon. Top with the remaining bread mixture. Use your fingers to lightly compress them. Each muffin should be slightly mounded even after lightly compressing them. The bread cubes on top will puff back up when you bake it. Sprinkle with remaining bacon. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the top is golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tin. Serve with maple syrup, if using.

Autumn Baked Eggs

Autumn Baked Eggs

1 lb. bite-sized tricolor potatoes (or any other potatoes!)
1 medium sweet potato (orange or white)
1 large yellow onion
1 apple (I used honey crisp)
10 oz. breakfast sausages (meat or vegan)
2-3 T. vegetable oil
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. paprika
eggs (1-2 per person)

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Dice your potatoes and the apple into about 1-inch chunks. Dice the onion. If using meat sausage, lightly brown it in a sauté pan first so it is not raw. Slice the sausages into 1/2-inch pieces. Place the sausage, potatoes, apple and onion in a large mixing bowl. Add the vegetable oil, salt, pepper, and paprika and stir to combine and evenly mix all the ingredients. Add the potato mixture to a large over-proof skillet or sheet pan. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring the potatoes in between. After 30 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and carefully create a small well in the potatoes for each egg.* Crack one egg in each well, keeping the yolk intact, and return the pan to the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the whites are solid but the yolks are not. Serve immediately. *If you prefer not to bake your eggs, return the potatoes for another 10-15 minutes and cook your eggs as desired on the stovetop.

Skillet Hash & Eggs

Skillet Hash & Eggs

3skillet-hash-and-eggs russet or Yukon gold potatoes (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 pound kielbasa, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1 large sweet onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds or dill seed
8 large eggs
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 scallions, sliced

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Pierce the potatoes in a few places with a fork and microwave until almost tender, about 10 minutes, turning halfway through. Let cool slightly, then peel and cut into 1/2-inch dice. Heat the butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kielbasa and cook, stirring, until it starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and caraway seeds and cook until the onion is soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in the potatoes, then flatten the hash into an even layer, pressing gently with a spatula. Cook undisturbed until crunchy and browned on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Flip the hash in sections and cook until browned on the other side, about 5 more minutes. Remove from the heat. Using a spoon, make 4 shallow indentations in the hash and crack 2 eggs into each. Transfer to the oven and bake until the egg whites set, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and top with the parsley and scallions.

Berry Souffle Pancake

Berry Souffle Pancake

Berry Souffle Pancake

 

3 eggs separated

1/2 cup half & half

1/3 cup flour

1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup mixed berries, slice any strawberries

Powdered sugar for garnish, optional\

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Place a rack 5 inches or so under broiler and one in the center of the oven. Beat the egg yolks and half & half in a large bowl until well mixed. Slowly whisk in the flour, stirring just until combined, then whisk in the butter, salt, and vanilla. Set aside. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric beater until almost stiff peaks. Gently fold the whites into the batter, folding just until the whites disappear. A few streaks are fine. Lightly grease or spray an 8-inch ovenproof skillet and heat over medium high heat. Pour and spoon the batter into the skillet while the skillet is on the burner, turn the heat down to medium. Cook several minutes, just until the batter looks a little firmer and there is a bit of light golden brown on the bottom when an edge is carefully lifted. Turn on the broiler. Remove skillet from heat and working quickly scatter the berries on top of the batter. and place pan under the broiler. Watch closely and cook broil until the top of the souffle is golden brown. Turn broiler off and switch to bake, 450 degrees F. and move the pan to the center rack and bake for three to four minutes or until just firm to the touch in the center. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Note there is no sugar in the batter; if you have a sweet tooth, add a tablespoon or two to the egg yolks before mixing.

Sheet-pan Quiche Lorraine

Sheet-pan Quiche Lorraine

Sheet-pan Quiche Lorraine

 

5⅓ C. All-purpose flour

1 pound Cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

1 C. Ice-cold water

1 T. Kosher salt

 

12 Eggs

2 C. Milk

2 C. Heavy cream

2 C. Onions, sliced thinly

1 C. Bacon, cut into squares

1 C. Gruyère cheese, grated

2 T. Chives, sliced thinly

Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

 

For pâte brisée (pie dough): Add flour, butter, and salt to bowl of stand mixer. Using paddle attachment, mix on medium speed until butter forms pea-sized pieces. Start adding ice water and keep mixing until all water is incorporated and dough grabs onto paddle. Be careful not to overmix; you want to see small pieces of butter in the dough as this will ensure a flaky crust. Remove dough from mixer, wrap with plastic wrap, and let rest in refrigerator for 1 hour before rolling out. Remove dough and let sit on counter for about 10 minutes. Then, using a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a rectangular shape, about 3/16-inch thick. Carefully roll dough onto rolling pin and transfer to a half-sheet (13-by-18-inch) pan. Cut off excess dough and place lined pan in refrigerator for another hour to allow dough to relax. Make quiche filling. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Once dough is relaxed and firm, line dough with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or beans, then par-bake pie crust until exposed edges are golden brown. Remove pie weights and prick holes in bottom of crust with a fork to release steam. Place crust back in oven until center is golden brown. Let cool before adding the filling. For quiche filling: Heat a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add cut bacon and cook until bacon is crispy and has rendered most of its fat. Stir in onions, salt, and pepper, and cook until onions are dark brown, about 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Cool bacon-onion mixture. Using a whisk and in a medium sized bowl, beat eggs, then add milk, cream, and cheese. Add bacon-onion mixture to egg mixture. Stir in chives. To make quiche: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Pour filling into pre-cooked quiche shell and bake for about 40 minutes, until filling is browned and firm to the touch. Test with a cake tester or small knife in the center. The knife should come out clean when quiche is ready. Allow quiche to cool to room temperature.  For best results when cutting quiche into perfect little squares, chill quiche overnight. Carefully remove quiche from sheet pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut quiche into desired piece sizes and shapes. Reheat individual portions in a 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes.

Lemon Soufflé Pancakes with Blueberry Compote

Lemon Soufflé Pancakes with Blueberry Compote

Lemon Soufflé Pancakes with Blueberry Compote

 

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cream of tarter

1 lemon, zested

1 tablespoon white sugar

1 1/4 cups milk

1 egg

3 tablespoons butter, melted

 

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, lemon zest, salt and sugar. After sifting, add cream of tarter and lemon zest. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides, creating crispy edges. Top with fresh blueberries and warm maple syrup. Blueberry Compote Topping (recommended) – 3 cups frozen or fresh blueberries, unthawed (save a ½ cup for garnish), 1/3 cup sugar, and 1/3 cup water. Combine 1 1/2 cups blueberries, sugar and 1/3 cup water in heavy small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until berries burst, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add remaining 1 cup berries. Cook until compote coats spoon, stirring often, about 8 minutes. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.) Serve warm over Maple Hill Manor’s Lemon Soufflé Pancakes. Garnish with fresh blueberries and powdered sugar for a nice presentation.

Welsh Rarebit with Wild Onions

Welsh Rarebit with Wild Onions

Welsh Rarebit with Wild Onions

 

2 T. (30 mL) butter

½ cup (125 mL) finely chopped wild onions

2 Tbsp (30 mL) flour

1 tsp (5 mL) French’s mustard powder (or 1 Tbsp [15 mL] prepared mustard)

1 cup (250 mL) milk

½ cup (125 mL) apple cider (or beer)

1 tsp. (5 mL) Worcestershire sauce

½ cup (125 mL) blue cheese (like Stilton)

½ cup (125 mL) aged white cheddar cheese

salt and pepper, to taste

4 slices good rustic bread

additional chopped wild onions, for garnish

 

Preheat the oven to broil. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the wild onions and sauté for 1– 2 minutes. Add the flour and mustard powder and whisk until a smooth paste is formed. Add the milk, cider, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Grate the cheeses. Add to the sauce and stir until melted and the sauce has thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Toast the bread lightly and place on a baking tray, top with the cooled sauce, making an even thick layer. Sprinkle with the additional raw wild onions. Place under the broiler and cook until the sauce begins to brown and the onions slightly char, about 3– 4 minutes. Serve immediately. Reserve any extra sauce; it makes a great topping for tuna or salmon melts.

Fried Eggs with Ramps, Morels and Bacon

Fried Eggs with Ramps, Morels and Bacon

Fried Eggs with Ramps, Morels and Bacon

 

4 ounces (100g) diced bacon

6 ounces morel mushrooms (about 3 cups; 160g), cleaned, trimmed, and cut in half lengthwise

2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, divided

6 ounces ramps (about a dozen ramps; 160g), root ends trimmed, white bottoms separated from green tops

1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) soy sauce

1 teaspoon (5ml) fresh juice from 1 lemon

1 tablespoon (15ml) canola oil

2 large eggs

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 slices hearty buttered toast

Sliced fresh chives, to garnish

 

Heat bacon along with 1 tablespoon (15ml) water in a medium cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium heat, stirring, until water evaporates, bacon fat renders, and bacon is completely crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a bowl and set aside. Return skillet to medium-high heat until lightly smoking. Add morels and cook, stirring and tossing frequently, until barely starting to brown, about 2 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon (15g) butter and cook, stirring, until morels are nicely browned but not burnt, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add ramps and cook, stirring and tossing frequently, until whites are browned and tender and greens are crisp in spots, about 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons (30ml) water, soy sauce, lemon juice, and remaining tablespoon butter. Remove from heat and set aside. Heat canola oil in a medium nonstick or well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add eggs, season with salt and pepper, and cook, occasionally using a spoon to baste hot oil over the whites to help them cook, until whites are set, edges are crisp, and yolk is still runny. Place a slice of toast on each of two plates. Top each with a fried egg. Return morel/ramp mixture to high heat and stir in bacon. Cook over high heat until liquid reduces to a creamy, emulsified sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon morels and ramps over and around fried eggs. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

Feta, Eggs, and Dandelion Greens

Feta, Eggs, and Dandelion Greens

Dandelion greens are very nutritious: they are high in calcium, rich in iron, and loaded with antioxidants. They are best harvested in springtime when the young greens are still tender and their flavor is mild. But blanching them in boiling w’ater first will remove some of their bitterness. Cultivated dandelions from the store are less bitter than wild ones, but in both cases it’s best to taste test them first. If you’re foraging your own, be careful not to gather them in areas that have been sprayed with pesticide.

4 C. chopped dandelion greens, thick stems removed
2 T. ghee (or butter)
1 leek, white and light green parts only, finely chopped
4 large pasture-raised eggs
1/4 C. crumbled feta cheese

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the dandelion greens and blanch for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain the greens thoroughly, patting them as dry as possible with paper towels. Melt the ghee in a 10-inch sauté pan set over medium heat. Sauté the leeks in the ghee until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the dandelion greens one handful at a time. Cook each handful until wilted, then add more. When all the greens are wilted, crack the eggs into the pan on top of the greens. Top with feta cheese and cook uncovered until the whites of the eggs are set, about 5 minutes.

Herbed Swiss Rösti (Hashbrowns) with Fried Egg

Herbed Swiss Rösti (Hashbrowns) with Fried Egg

4 large potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds)
3 garlic cloves (or 1 small Spring garlic), minced
2 green onions, finely chopped
1/2 C. parsley leaves, roughly chopped
pastured ghee (or lard, tallow, duck fat, or coconut oil)
sea salt
black pepper
4 eggs, preferably pastured

A couple of hours, or the night before you would like to serve, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the potatoes and parboil until just tender, but not too soft. Remove them from the pot and allow to cool before refrigerating for a couple hours or overnight. Peel the potatoes and grate them on the large grating side of a box grater. Preheat a large sauté pan on medium heat. Melt about 1 T. ghee, making sure to coat the pan. Add the garlic and onions and stir continuously until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the potatoes, 3/4 of the parsley, and sea salt and black pepper to taste and mix gently. Pat down the potatoes until they form an even and flat round. Cook until the bottom of the rösti is well browned, and easy to peel off the pan, about 6-8 minutes. Top the pan with a large plate, turn the pan over until the rösti slides out. Add more ghee to the pan, and return the rösti, browned side up, to the pan to brown the other side, another 6-8 minutes. While the second side of the rösti is browning, preheat a large sauté pan on medium. Melt about 2 T. ghee, making sure to coat the entire pan. Crack the eggs into the pan and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, to taste. Fry the eggs until the whites are set and the yolks are cooked to desired doneness, about 2 minutes for a soft egg. Remove the rösti from the oven, top with the rest of the parsley, and serve immediately with the eggs on top and any vegetable side dishes. If the rösti sticks to the bottom of the pan, and is difficult to flip, simply brown the bottom before broiling the top in the oven for a few minutes.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes with Maple Syrup-Sweetened Berries

Cottage Cheese Pancakes with Maple Syrup-Sweetened Berries

Cottage Cheese Pancakes with Maple Syrup-Sweetened Berries

 

2 large eggs

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour

1/2 cup 2% cottage cheese

 

1 tablespoon canola oil

 

1 cup rinsed whole, sliced or mixed berries such as strawberries, blueberries or raspberries

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

 

Put all the pancake ingredients in a bowl. Using an immersion blender or rotary beaters, blend for about 15 to 20 seconds. Don’t overbeat. In a non-stick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Cook each pancake for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, depending on how hot your skillet is. Put the finished pancakes on a serving dish while you make the remaining pancakes. For the topping, mix the berries and maple syrup in a microwavable bowl. Warm in the microwave for 30 seconds. Pour over pancakes or set aside for self-serve.

 

Yield: 2 servings

Calories: 430

Fat: 14g

Fiber: 3g

Pancakes with Warmed Maple Berries

Pancakes with Warmed Maple Berries

Pancakes with Warmed Maple Berries

 

Buttermilk pancakes

1 cup self-raising flour

1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

1/4 cup caster sugar

1 1/4 cup buttermilk

1 egg, whisked

1 tablespoon butter, for cooking

vanilla yoghurt, to serve

Maple berries

1 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries

1/4 cup apple juice or water

2 tablespoon maple syrup

 

Sift flour and soda together into a large bowl. Stir in sugar. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Gradually whisk in combined buttermilk and egg until smooth. Melt 1 teaspoon butter in large frying pan on medium heat. Pour quarter cupfuls of batter into pan in batches. Cook 2 minutes until bubbles appear on surface and underside is golden. Flip and cook further 1-2 minutes, until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm. Repeat with remaining mixture, melting more butter in pan as required. To make maple berries: Combine all ingredients in medium frying pan. Heat on medium, until simmering. Cook gently 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture has slightly thickened. Serve pancakes with warm berries and a dollop of yoghurt.

Huevo en Chile Verde

Huevo en Chile Verde

Huevo en Chile Verde

 

1 lb tomatillos, husks removed and rinsed

2-3 jalapeno peppers, stems removed (remove the seeds if you don’t want it spicy)

1/2 cup water, plus more for cooking

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 small onion

2 cloves garlic

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon olive oil

8 large eggs, beaten

I

Add tomatillos and jalapenos to a small pot. Add water until the tops are completely covered. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 3 more minutes until the color of the tomatillos begins to deepen. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tomatillos and peppers to a large blender. Add 1/2 cup of water, cilantro, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, and cumin. Blend until smooth. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add eggs and cook for a few minutes, moving them around occasionally to scramble them, until the eggs are firm and lightly browned. Add the salsa verde, reduce heat to low, and cook for 5 more minutes. Taste and season with salt, if necessary. Serve with warm tortillas and enjoy.

 

When scrambling the eggs, make sure to cook them fully. They should be firm and lightly browned in spots. No soft scrambling here! This dish is often served for breakfast and lunch/dinner. It’s a great protein-packed vegetarian meal that’s typically served with a side of refried beans and some corn or flour tortillas.

Boucheron with Grapefruit and Crispy Olives Sandwich

Boucheron with Grapefruit and Crispy Olives Sandwich

Boucheron with Grapefruit and Crispy Olives Sandwich

 

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/3 cup pitted Nicoise olives

1/4 pound slice of Boucheron goat cheese

1 large grapefruit

8 round slices from a french baguette

1 sprig fresh thyme

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss the olives with the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet or casserole pan. Roast in the oven for about 25-30 minutes, until crispy. Turn your exhaust fan on here, it might be a little smoky. While the olives are roasting, take the cheese out of the fridge and let it come up to room temperature. Cut the grapefruit into supremes. (Cut off the top and bottom. Sit the grapefruit with one of the cut ends on the counter or cutting board. One section at a time, start at the top of the fruit and cut down the side removing the peel and white pith. Do this one section at a time, rotating around the fruit until you’ve removed all the white and peel. Now pick up the grapefruit and hold it in your hand. Carefully, use the knife in the other hand to remove the sections of fruit from the membrane, cutting at an angle. If you’d like to see a demonstration of how to make supremes, check out Ming Tsai’s tutorial here. It’s a lot easier after you’ve seen someone do it.) Remove any seeds from your grapefruit sections and set them aside in a bowl. When the olives are crispy, remove them from the oven and set aside to cool. Once they’ve cooled, put them on a cutting board and crush them lightly with the back of your knife. You just want to smoosh them a little.  Spread your bread slices on a baking sheet and toast lightly. When you’re ready to assemble, spread the softened cheese on your bread. Top with a grapefruit section and a few crispy olives. Sprinkle with a few thyme leaves. Serve immediately. Makes 8 little open-faced sandwiches.

Huevo Verde

Huevo Verde

Huevo Verde

 

2 large Eggs

1 tablespoon Olive Oil

40 grams Onion, sliced

1 Green Jalapeño Chili, sliced

Salt to taste

 

3 Corn Tortillas

20 grams Feta Cheese

Avocado Slices (optional)

 

Heat the oil in a small non-stick pan at medium high heat. Add the sliced jalapeño chili and the onions and cook for one minute or until the onion starts getting translucent. Don’t overcook them, we want both chilies and onions with a bit of a bite in them still! Crack the eggs over the onion and chili and let the white cook a little before you break the yolk and scramble them. I like my scrambled eggs ‘tender’ as my mother would call them, that is fully cooked white and slightly soft-cooked yolk. Cook for a couple of minutes stirring with a spoon when necessary, until the eggs are cooked to your liking. Season with salt and remove from the heat. I always start heating tortillas while the eggs are cooking, saves time and it means the eggs are not left sitting and overcooking. So take a warm corn tortilla and add a generous spoonful of the eggs. Crumbled a bit of feta cheese on top and add a slice of avocado if you want to cool off a bit of the heat from the chili.

French Cherry Tomato Tart with Dijon Mustard & Chevre

French Cherry Tomato Tart with Dijon Mustard & Chevre

French Cherry Tomato Tart with Dijon Mustard & Chevre

Yields one 9- or 10-inch tart

 

One unbaked tart dough, placed on the tart pan (see recipe, below)

Dijon or whole-grain mustard, to taste

8 ounces goat cheese, sliced into 1-ounce rounds

2 pints of cherry tomatoes (or 2-3 large tomatoes, sliced)

1/4 cup olives, pitted (optional)

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or your favorite herbs

 

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.  Spread an even layer of mustard on the bottom of the tart dough.  Place 4 rounds of goat cheese on top of the mustard.  Arrange tomatoes (and olives, if using) on top of the cheese. Place remaining 4 rounds of cheese on top of the tomatoes.  Drizzle olive oil over the tomatoes, season with salt and ground pepper, and sprinkle chopped thyme.*  Bake the tart for 30 to 40 minutes, until the dough is cooked and the cheese is nicely browned.

 

*Note: I usually add chopped herbs after about 20 minutes of baking time so that they don’t burn.  For this recipe, I added some additional chopped thyme to the dough for extra flavor.

 

Tart Dough

Yields dough for one 9- or 10-inch tart

 

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 generous tablespoon chopped thyme (optional)

4 1/2 ounces unsalted butter, chilled, cut into cubes

1 large egg

2-3 tablespoons ice cold water

 

Mix the flour, salt, pepper, and chopped thyme in a medium-sized bowl. Add the butter and using your hands, pastry blender, or two forks, cut the butter into the flour/thyme mixture until it resembles a crumbly, cornmeal-like consistency.  Mix the egg with 2 tablespoons of the water. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the beaten egg, stirring gently until the dough holds together. Add the additional tablespoon of ice water, if needed.  Gather the dough into a ball and roll the dough on a lightly floured surface, adding only the minimum amount of flour to keep the dough from sticking to the counter. Roll the dough around the rolling pin and then unroll it over the tart pan with a removable bottom. “Dock” the dough by pressing the tart dough firmly with your fingertips to make a few indentations. Be careful not to press too hard to tear the dough.

Chipotle-Honey Glazed Bacon

Chipotle-Honey Glazed Bacon

Chipotle-Honey Glazed Bacon6 slices of premium bacon
1/2 cup of honey
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped
1 tbsp of the adobo sauce

Heat a large skillet, placing the heat on medium-low. Cook the bacon from about 7 minutes on one side, then flip, and cook another 5-6 minutes on the other side. The goal here is to warm up the bacon, get the majority of the fat out, however retaining a nice texture being careful not to overcook it. During this time, add the honey, powders, chipotle pepper and adobo sauce into a small sauce pan and place on very low heat. You just want the honey to warm through, while you incorporate the other flavors. So once the bacon cooked on both sides, remove the bacon and place on some paper towel to remove any excess fat. Discard the bacon grease, saving it for later, or placing in your grease container. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. As your bacon is resting on the paper towel, brush some of the honey chipotle glaze on the top of each piece. Place on a baking sheet and cook for a few minutes. Remove the tray, flip over the bacon, brush with more glaze and return to the oven for a few more minutes. The outcome of this bacon is something wonderful. The texture changes just ever so slightly to create what almost appears to be bacon candy. It has a bit of chew from the honey, the awesome texture from the slow cooking, and the great heat from the chipotle pepper. This is a great snack, or better yet, served on that leftover turkey sandwich! Enjoy.

Agave Glazed Bacon

Agave Glazed Bacon

Agave Glazed Bacon6 slices thick-cut hickory smoked bacon
2 tablespoons agave nectar
1 tablespoon southwest chipotle seasoning, mix (Mrs. Dash, Tones, Konriko or homemade)
1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Arrange slices on baking sheet; bake until almost crisp (8-9 minutes). Drain the drippings from baking sheet and discard. In small bowl, combine agave nectar, chipotle seasoning and pepper. Brush bacon with the chipotle mixture; bake until glazed (8-10 minutes). Cool.

Baked Raspberry Oatmeal with a Brown Butter Drizzle

Baked Raspberry Oatmeal with a Brown Butter Drizzle

Waking up to a warm breakfast isn’t hard to do when this baked raspberry oatmeal is on the menu! You can make it the night before and then reheat the next morning, served with a drizzle of brown butter.

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oatsBaked Raspberry Oatmeal with a Brown Butter Drizzle
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
1 cup canned light coconut milk
â…“ cup pumpkin puree
2 T. unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups frozen raspberries
2 T. unsalted butter, browned

Heat oven to 350F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Pour the raspberries into the batter and stir to combine. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top of the oatmeal is set. Let cool for a few minutes and then serve with a drizzle of brown butter.

Pretty Prosciutto & Fig Toasts

Pretty Prosciutto & Fig Toasts

Pretty Prosciutto & Fig Toasts¼ C. Fig Preserves
2 T. Mascarpone Cheese
2 slices Bread, Toasted
¼ lb. Prosciutto, thinly sliced
1 T. chopped Fresh Basil

In small bowl, stir together fig preserves and mascarpone until creamy. Spread on toast and layer slices of prosciutto on top. Sprinkle with basil. If you have fresh figs, slice one and add on top.

Sheet Pan Suppers: Big Dutch Baby with Meyer Lemon Sugar

Sheet Pan Suppers: Big Dutch Baby with Meyer Lemon Sugar

Big Dutch Baby with Meyer Lemon Sugar8 T. (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
8 large eggs
2 cups milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup sugar
2 tsp. grated Meyer Lemon Zest
Fresh Berries for Serving

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees with a rack in the center position. Place the butter on a sheet pan and put the pan in the oven until the butter melts and begins to bubble, just a few minutes. While the butter is melting, whisk together the flour, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl.  In a blender or food processor, whirl the eggs on high for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the milk and vanilla (with the motor running). Pour into a large bowl and whisk in the flour; the batter will be really thin. Pour the batter onto the sheet pan (make sure the melted butter is evenly coating the pan first), and then bake until the pancake is puffy and golden around the edges, about 15 to 20 minutes. While it bakes, mash together sugar and lemon zest in a small bowl until sugar is fragrant and yellow. When the pancake is done, remove it from the oven and sprinkle generously with sugar. Cut into squares and serve immediately with fresh berries and extra sugar on the side.

 

Bacon, Egg & Avocado Corn Cakes

Bacon, Egg & Avocado Corn Cakes

Bacon, egg and Avocado COrn cakes1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup finely ground cornmeal
1 tsp. baking soda
1⁄2 tsp. salt
1⁄2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
11⁄2 cups fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
1 shallot, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 large eggs
1 cup low-fat milk
2 T. olive or canola oil
4 large eggs, for serving
1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced into 12 slices
4 pieces of Bacon, cooked
1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking soda, salt, and pepper. Add the corn, shallots, and garlic to the dry ingredients and mix until combined. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the 2 eggs and milk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix with a spoon until just combined. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Use a 1⁄3-cup measure and scoop the corn cake batter into the skillet, leaving about an inch in between each corn cake. Cook until the cakes begin to set and bubble on the top, 3 to 4 minutes. Gently flip and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the corn cakes with a spatula and place on a plate or baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining batter. Cook the 4 eggs to your liking: sunny side up, over easy, poached, scrambled, or your preferred style.  To assemble the corn cakes, add the avocado slices and tomatoes over the top, and add a slice of bacon, cut in half in a cross over them. Top each with a cooked egg.

Note: In my last few years of poaching eggs, I’ve learned that it really does work best if your eggs are fresh, your water is not boiling at all, and you are patient. These days, I can poach an egg with success almost every time. It just takes lots of practice.

Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts

Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts

pumpkin-pie-pop-tarts-edit-srgb2 cups + 2 T. all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
4 – 5 T. ice water

1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup (2 oz) cream cheese, softened slightly (just don’t melt)
2 T. granulated sugar
2 T. packed light-brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. of nutmeg
1/8 tsp. allspice
1 pinch salt
1 large egg yolk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
2 T. half and half, plus more as needed
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

For the crust: In a food processor pulse together flour, salt and granulated sugar. Add butter and pulse mixture until resembles coarse meal (it won’t really come together in pieces much at this point, so don’t over-process, just pulse until butter is no longer in large pieces). Add 4 T. water and pulse several times, if it doesn’t come together in clumps add remaining 1 T. water. Drop mixture onto a clean surface, gather dough into a ball then divide into two portions. Shape each portion into about a 5-inch disk. Cover each with plastic wrap and chill 1 hour. Meanwhile prepare filling.

For the pumpkin pie filling: To a mixing bowl, add cream cheese, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Using a rubber spatula, stir mixture to blend, while running spatula against bowl to smooth any lumps. Lay pumpkin puree on several layers of paper towels. Wrap and press to soak some of the excess moisture from pumpkin, until you have 3/4 cup pumpkin puree. Add reduced pumpkin puree to cream cheese mixture along with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and salt and stir. Mix in egg yolk and vanilla extract. Cover bowl and chill until ready to assemble pop tarts.

To assemble pop tarts: Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpats. Working with 1 chilled disk of dough at a time (keep other in fridge to chill), roll dough out onto a floured surface to about 13 by 11-inch rectangle (when edges start to crack a little when rolling, seal them and continue rolling), then trim edges to get a 12 by 10-inch rectangle (to even the edges). Then cut into eight 5 by 3-inch rectangles (cut in half through the longness then three cuts through the opposite). Arrange 4 of the rectangles, spaced evenly apart on prepared baking sheet. Spread a slightly heaping 1 1/2 T. of pumpkin pie filling evenly down the center of each rectangle, leaving about a 3/4-inch rim on all sides uncoated. Dampen fingertips with water and run along uncoated edges of pop tarts. Top each with another rectangle, then seal edges with your fingertips, then reseal with a fork (I didn’t seal with the fork, I just did a double seal with my fingertips because I wanted them to look more like the real thing). Poke the top center of each tart 3 times with a fork. Cover and transfer to freezer to chill at least 2 hours or up to one week. Repeat process with remaining disk of dough. After chilling, position one oven rack near top third of the oven and a second oven rack near bottom third of the oven. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake frozen tarts until golden, rotating racks once halfway through baking, about 25 – 30 minutes. Allow to cool on baking sheet several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

For the icing: In a mixing bowl whisk together all icing ingredients well then add more half and half about 1/2 tsp. at a time to reach desired consistency. Spread over tops of cooled pop tarts, leaving a small rim uncoated around all sides. Sprinkle tops with sprinkles if desired and allow glaze to set at room temperature. Store in an airtight container.

Sheet Pan Supper: Bacon & Egg Crescent Squares

Sheet Pan Supper: Bacon & Egg Crescent Squares

1 tube Pillsburyâ„¢ refrigerated crescent rolls 2012-05-02-bacon-eggs-crescent-squares-586x322
4 eggs
6 slices bacon
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil, parsley, or Italian parsley

Preheat oven to 400°F. 2 Open and unroll the Pillsbury™ Crescents onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Split the dough right down the middle, forming two large squares. Pinch the perforations together in each square. Fold up the edges of each square of dough (about 1/2 inch of the edge around each square). Crack two eggs into the center of each dough square. Place three slices of bacon across the eggs on each square. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of Parmesan cheese, and salt, and pepper to taste. Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges of the Crescent dough are golden brown and the eggs are cooked to your preference.