Breakfast

When I was growing up (more years ago than seems possible), two of my friends - a brother and sister - lived next door. They were the oldest of four kids, and I thoroughly enjoyed hanging around with them. Frequently, when my mother was fixing dinner, I'd wander over to Robbie and Audrey's place to see what they were doing.

At one point, I noticed that on Thursday evenings (the last night before pay-day for most families in our neighborhood), their mother would have the four kids at the table, wolfing down cereal, pancakes, French toast, or other breakfast foods for dinner. If it was a cereal night, all the remaining cereal boxes from the previous shopping trip would be on the table, along with a gallon of milk, happy slurping noises coming from the table.

"Eat up!" their mother would admonish. "We'll get more cereal tomorrow, so you guys can finish those boxes up."

I so envied them. "Why can't we have cereal (or pancakes or French toast) for dinner?" I'd ask my mom. This, of course, was especially true whenever she was making that dreaded of meals, liver and onions.

"Those are breakfast things," Mom would explain, as though to a slow child.

Mom, with my younger brother, circa early 1960s

No matter. Since moving out on my own, and starting my own family (who are now grown), I occasionally made breakfast for dinner. There's nothing wrong with that, opinions to the contrary.

And so, here are six breakfast recipes that you can make for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, including Salsa Verde Scrambled Egg Tacos and Raspberry Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Enjoy!

SAUSAGE-PEACH BAKE

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Makes about 8 servings.

Ingredients

2 cups Bisquick

1 (16 ounce) can sliced peaches, drained and juice reserved

1 package brown-and-serve sausage links

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon cornstarch

3/4 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

Mix Bisquick, egg and milk, then spread into prepared pan.

Slice each sausage link into four or six pieces. Lay over batter, and top with peach slices. Bake for 30 minutes or until done.

While mixture is baking, combine 1/2 cup of the peach juice, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan, then cook until mixture bubbles and thickens. Stir in syrup and butter. Remove baked mixture from oven, and cut into squares.

Serve with warm cooked sauce.

RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES

This also comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 16 to 18 (4-inch) pancakes.

Ingredients

1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter

3/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons milk

1 large egg

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup picked-over raspberries

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

In a small saucepan melt 2 tablespoons butter over moderately low heat, stirring. Stir in milk and heat until just warm. Remove pan from heat. In a bowl whisk together milk mixture and egg. Into another bowl sift together flour, baking powder, and salt and stir in egg mixture until just combined. Gently stir in raspberries and chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Heat a griddle over moderate heat until hot enough to make a drop of water scatter over surface. Add 1 teaspoon butter and with a metal spatula spread over griddle. Working in batches, drop 1/4-cup measures of batter onto griddle to form pancakes about 4 inches in diameter and cook until bubbles appear on surface and undersides are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip pancakes with spatula and cook until undersides are golden brown and pancakes are cooked through. Transfer pancakes as cooked to an ovenproof platter and keep warm, uncovered, in oven. Make more pancakes with remaining butter and batter in same manner.

Serve pancakes with syrup. Makes about 10 pancakes, serving 2 generously.

Accompaniment: pure maple syrup, heated

BAKED CHORIZO BREAKFAST BURRITO BOWLS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Wake up and start the day with these easy-to-make and filling breakfast burrito bowls. Layers of shredded cheese, crispy potato crowns, chorizo seasoned pork and fluffy eggs packed inside soft tortilla bowls; warmed and then topped with your favorite fresh toppings."

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/baked-chorizo-breakfast-burrito-bowls.

Ingredients

48 (about 3 1/3 cups) frozen seasoned shredded potato crowns (from 30-oz bag)

1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls

1 1/2 cups Old El Paso™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend (6 oz)

1/2 lb ground pork

1/3 cup water

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Chorizo Taco Seasoning Mix

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles

1 tablespoon butter

6 eggs, slightly beaten

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

1/2 cup salsa

Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. In 15x10x1-inch ungreased pan, spread frozen potatoes in single layer. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove to plate. Wipe out bottom of pan.

In same pan, place tortilla bowls standing up, next to each other. Divide 1 cup of the cheese among tortilla bowls. Top with potatoes (6 per tortilla bowl); set aside.

Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook pork over medium-high heat 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; do not drain. Stir in water, taco seasoning mix and chiles; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Divide among tortilla bowls. Carefully wipe out skillet.

In same skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add eggs; cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until set. Remove from heat; stir in remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Divide among tortilla bowls.

Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until warmed. Top with sliced avocado, green onions and salsa. Sprinkle cilantro on top.

Expert Tips

To slice avocado, cut in half and remove pit. Using large spoon, scoop flesh from skin. Place one half avocado cut side down on cutting board. Cut lengthwise into strips. Repeat with other half of avocado.

Try a drizzle of hot sauce instead of salsa to add a nice kick to the burrito bowls.

Nutrition: 8 bowls; 1 Bowl Calories 430 (Calories from Fat 220); Total Fat 25g (Saturated Fat 10g, Trans Fat 2g); Cholesterol 185mg; Sodium 990mg; Total Carbohydrate 33g (Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 3g); Protein 17g; % Daily Value: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 4%; Calcium 20%; Iron 15%; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1/2 Vegetable, 1 Lean Meat, 1 High-Fat Meat, 2 1/2 Fat; Carbohydrate Choice: 2

MUSHROOM, GREEN PEPPER AND ONION OMELET

Recipe Yield: Makes two servings.

Source: AICR

Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/mushroom-green-pepper-and-onion-omelet.

Ingredients

3/4 cup good quality marinara sauce

1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Canola cooking oil spray

1 small onion, cut in crescents

6 medium white mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 medium green bell pepper, seeded, cut in thin strips

Salt, as desired

3 large egg whites

1 large egg

1 tsp. grated Parmeggiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions

In a small saucepan, heat marinara sauce, vinegar and soy sauce, just until hot. Season with pepper to taste and set aside.

Coat medium non-stick pan liberally with cooking oil spray. Set pan over medium-high heat. Saute onion until lightly colored, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, pepper and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are soft, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out pan.

Whisk egg whites and egg with cheese, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Coat pan with oil spray and heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add egg mixture, tilting pan to coat bottom evenly. Reduce heat to medium. Cook until eggs are well-set, about 4 minutes. Slip spatula gently around edges, then underneath to loosen omelet. Slide it onto a serving plate.

Spoon filling to cover half of omelet and fold omelet, covering filling. With a spoon, drizzle sauce in a ribbon effect across omelet. Serve immediately.

Notes:

Additional info: 1 g. saturated fat, 3 g. dietary fiber

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 158; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 545 mg; Protein: 12 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Vegetable, 1-1/2 Low-Fat Meat

HAM AND PEPPER FRITTATA

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings, Serving size: 1/4 of recipe

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Book Title: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/ham-and-pepper-frittata.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper

1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1 cup diced, lean, reduced-sodium ham

2 teaspoons dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

2 cups fat-free egg substitute

1 cup shredded, reduced-fat, white Cheddar or Swiss cheese

Directions

Coat a large ovenproof skillet with the olive oil and preheat over medium-high heat. Add the peppers, ham, parsley, and black pepper and saute for several minutes, until the vegetables are crisp-tender and the ham is beginning to brown. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the skillet.

Pour the egg substitute over the skillet mixture and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook without stirring for about 6 minutes, until the eggs are almost set (the edges will be cooked but the top will still be runny).

Remove the lid from the skillet and wrap the handle in aluminum foil (to prevent it from becoming damaged under the broiler). Place the skillet under a preheated broiler and broil for a couple of minutes, until the eggs are set but not dry. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and broil for another minute to melt the cheese. Cut the frittata into 4 wedges and serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 222; Fat: 8.3 g; Sodium: 690 mg; Cholesterol: 32 mg; Protein: 28 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

SALSA VERDE SCRAMBLED EGG TACOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Enjoy your scrambled eggs in a mini soft tortilla bowl with these delicious breakfast tacos, perfect for kids and adults! They’re topped with shredded cheese, fresh pico de gallo, avocado and Old El Paso™ Creamy Salsa Verde sauce."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 6 servings

View this online at https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/salsa-verde-scrambled-egg-tacos.

Ingredients

6 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

1 package (12 count) Old El Paso™ Mini Soft Tortilla Bowls, heated as directed on package

1/2 cup Old El Paso™ shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend

1/2 cup pico de gallo

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, diced

1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Creamy Salsa Verde sauce

Preparation

In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk. Add milk and salt; beat well.

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add egg mixture; cook 3 to 5 minutes, scraping cooked eggs up from bottom of skillet occasionally, until mixture is firm but still moist.

Divide eggs evenly among warm tortilla bowls. Top with cheese, pico de gallo and avocado; drizzle with sauce.

Expert Tips

Try chopped tomatoes in place of pico de gallo.

Kids love to help in the kitchen. After filling tortillas with eggs, let the kids top with their favorite cheese and fresh toppings!

Add cooked breakfast sausage to tacos for a flavor twist.

Breakfast - Double-Post Thursday

Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's double post deals with breakfast.

When I was growing up (more years ago than seems possible), two of my friends - a brother and sister - lived next door. They were the oldest of four kids, and I thoroughly enjoyed hanging around with them. Frequently, when my mother was fixing dinner, I'd wander over to Robbie and Audrey's place to see what they were doing.

At one point, I noticed that on Thursday evenings (the last night before pay-day for most families in our neighborhood), their mother would have the four kids at the table, wolfing down cereal, pancakes, French toast, or other breakfast foods for dinner. If it was a cereal night, all the remaining cereal boxes from the previous shopping trip would be on the table, along with a gallon of milk, happy slurping noises coming from the table.

"Eat up!" their mother would admonish. "We'll get more cereal tomorrow, so you guys can finish those boxes up."

I so envied them. "Why can't we have cereal (or pancakes or French toast) for dinner?" I'd ask my mom. This, of course, was especially true whenever she was making that dreaded of meals, liver and onions.

"Those are breakfast things," Mom would explain, as though to a slow child.

Mom, with my younger brother, circa early 1960s

No matter. Since moving out on my own, and starting my own family (who are now grown), I occasionally made breakfast for dinner. There's nothing wrong with that, opinions to the contrary.

And so, here are six breakfast recipes that you can make for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, including Easy Breakfast Burritos and Strawberries and Cream Pancakes. Enjoy!

HAM AND PEPPER FRITTATA

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings, Serving size: 1/4 of recipe

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Book Title: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/ham-and-pepper-frittata.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper

1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1 cup diced, lean, reduced-sodium ham

2 teaspoons dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

2 cups fat-free egg substitute

1 cup shredded, reduced-fat, white Cheddar or Swiss cheese

Directions

Coat a large ovenproof skillet with the olive oil and preheat over medium-high heat. Add the peppers, ham, parsley, and black pepper and saute for several minutes, until the vegetables are crisp-tender and the ham is beginning to brown. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the skillet.

Pour the egg substitute over the skillet mixture and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook without stirring for about 6 minutes, until the eggs are almost set (the edges will be cooked but the top will still be runny).

Remove the lid from the skillet and wrap the handle in aluminum foil (to prevent it from becoming damaged under the broiler). Place the skillet under a preheated broiler and broil for a couple of minutes, until the eggs are set but not dry. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and broil for another minute to melt the cheese. Cut the frittata into 4 wedges and serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 222; Fat: 8.3 g; Sodium: 690 mg; Cholesterol: 32 mg; Protein: 28 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

MEXICAN BREAKFAST CASSEROLE WITH HASH BROWN TOP

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Bored of the same ol’ breakfast every morning? This irresistible hash brown casserole will pull you out of your rut – golden crunchy potato crust and tender layers of eggs, cheese, tortilla, peppers and chiles."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Makes 12 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/mexican-breakfast-casserole-with-hash-brown-top.

Ingredients

16 large eggs

3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

4 large Old El Paso™ Flour Tortillas

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

4.5 ounce can Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 teaspoon salt

4 cups shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed

1 packet Old El Paso™ Low Sodium Taco Seasoning

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 cup crema (optional)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spray a large 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Cut the tortillas in to 1/2 inch by 1 inch strips. Whisk the eggs thoroughly in a large bowl. Then mix in the shredded cheese, chopped bell pepper, chiles, 1 cup chopped green onions, salt and tortillas. Pour the mixture into the baking dish.

In a separate bowl, mix the shredded potato with the Old El Paso™ Taco Seasoning. Then drizzle the butter over the top of the potatoes and toss to coat.

Sprinkle the shredded potatoes over the egg mixture in an even layer. Then place in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes until the center is puffed up and the hash brown top is crispy. Serve warm, drizzled with crema and sprinkled with green onions if desired.

STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM PANCAKES

This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Ingredients

2 cups buttermilk biscuit baking mix

1 cup milk

2 eggs

2 cups strawberries, sliced

1 can pressurized whipped cream

Directions

Stir baking mix, milk and eggs until blended. Pour by scant 1/4 cupsful onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry. Turn; cook until golden. Spoon strawberries over pancakes. Decorate with whipped cream.

SAUSAGE-PEACH BAKE

This also comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Makes about 8 servings.

Ingredients

2 cups Bisquick

1 (16 ounce) can sliced peaches, drained and juice reserved

1 package brown-and-serve sausage links

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon cornstarch

3/4 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

Mix Bisquick, egg and milk, then spread into prepared pan.

Slice each sausage link into four or six pieces. Lay over batter, and top with peach slices. Bake for 30 minutes or until done.

While mixture is baking, combine 1/2 cup of the peach juice, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan, then cook until mixture bubbles and thickens. Stir in syrup and butter. Remove baked mixture from oven, and cut into squares.

Serve with warm cooked sauce.

BAKED CHORIZO BREAKFAST BURRITO BOWLS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Wake up and start the day with these easy-to-make and filling breakfast burrito bowls. Layers of shredded cheese, crispy potato crowns, chorizo seasoned pork and fluffy eggs packed inside soft tortilla bowls; warmed and then topped with your favorite fresh toppings."

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/baked-chorizo-breakfast-burrito-bowls.

Ingredients

48 (about 3 1/3 cups) frozen seasoned shredded potato crowns (from 30-oz bag)

1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls

1 1/2 cups Old El Paso™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend (6 oz)

1/2 lb ground pork

1/3 cup water

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Chorizo Taco Seasoning Mix

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles

1 tablespoon butter

6 eggs, slightly beaten

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

1/2 cup salsa

Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. In 15x10x1-inch ungreased pan, spread frozen potatoes in single layer. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove to plate. Wipe out bottom of pan.

In same pan, place tortilla bowls standing up, next to each other. Divide 1 cup of the cheese among tortilla bowls. Top with potatoes (6 per tortilla bowl); set aside.

Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook pork over medium-high heat 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; do not drain. Stir in water, taco seasoning mix and chiles; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Divide among tortilla bowls. Carefully wipe out skillet.

In same skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add eggs; cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until set. Remove from heat; stir in remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Divide among tortilla bowls.

Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until warmed. Top with sliced avocado, green onions and salsa. Sprinkle cilantro on top.

Expert Tips

To slice avocado, cut in half and remove pit. Using large spoon, scoop flesh from skin. Place one half avocado cut side down on cutting board. Cut lengthwise into strips. Repeat with other half of avocado.

Try a drizzle of hot sauce instead of salsa to add a nice kick to the burrito bowls.

Nutrition: 8 bowls; 1 Bowl Calories 430 (Calories from Fat 220); Total Fat 25g (Saturated Fat 10g, Trans Fat 2g); Cholesterol 185mg; Sodium 990mg; Total Carbohydrate 33g (Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 3g); Protein 17g; % Daily Value: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 4%; Calcium 20%; Iron 15%; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1/2 Vegetable, 1 Lean Meat, 1 High-Fat Meat, 2 1/2 Fat; Carbohydrate Choice: 2

EASY BREAKFAST BURRITOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "This Southwest breakfast is quick enough for busy weekends. Or, you can try our make-ahead tip to freeze and reheat for a winning grab-and-go breakfast all week long."

Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/easy-breakfast-burritos.

Ingredients

6 eggs

2 tablespoons Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles (from 4.5-oz can)

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

6 fully cooked breakfast sausage links, cut into small pieces

1 bag (1 lb 4 oz) refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes

6 Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for burritos (from 11-oz package)

2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)

Preparation

In large bowl, beat 6 eggs, 2 tablespoons Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles and 1 to 2 tablespoons milk until well blended. In 10-inch skillet over medium heat, cook eggs, stirring occasionally, until scrambled. Stir in 6 fully cooked breakfast sausage links, cut into small pieces; heat until warm. Set aside.

Cook 1 bag (1 lb. 4 oz.) refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes as directed on bag; set aside.

To assemble burritos, spoon line of hash browns down center of each of 6 Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for burritos. Top with 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend and the scrambled eggs.

Roll up each tortilla tightly to secure filling. Serve immediately, or freeze as directed below.

To freeze, wrap each burrito in paper towel; wrap in foil. Freeze. To reheat, remove and discard foil. Microwave each frozen paper towel-wrapped burrito on High 2 minutes 30 seconds, turning burrito over halfway through heating.

Expert Tips

Change breakfast sausage out for cooked chorizo pork sausage for a delightful Southwest kick!

Wrapping the breakfast burrito in a paper towel before the foil helps to absorb the moisture from the burrito and prevent a soggy tortilla. It’s also perfect for microwaving on the go or at work when plates are not necessarily available.

Breakfast - For Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner

When I was growing up (more years ago than seems possible), two of my friends - a brother and sister - lived next door. They were the oldest of four kids, and I thoroughly enjoyed hanging around with them. Frequently, when my mother was fixing dinner, I'd wander over to Robbie and Audrey's place to see what they were doing.

At one point, I noticed that on Thursday evenings (the last night before pay-day for most families in our neighborhood), their mother would have the four kids at the table, wolfing down cereal, pancakes, French toast, or other breakfast foods for dinner. If it was a cereal night, all the remaining cereal boxes from the previous shopping trip would be on the table, along with a gallon of milk, happy slurping noises coming from the table.

"Eat up!" their mother would admonish. "We'll get more cereal tomorrow, so you guys can finish those boxes up."

I so envied them. "Why can't we have cereal (or pancakes or French toast) for dinner?" I'd ask my mom. This, of course, was especially true whenever she was making that dreaded of meals, liver and onions.

"Those are breakfast things," Mom would explain, as though to a slow child.

Mom, with my younger brother, circa early 1960s

No matter. Since moving out on my own, and starting my own family (who are now grown), I occasionally made breakfast for dinner. There's nothing wrong with that, opinions to the contrary.

And so, here are six breakfast recipes that you can make for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, including Strawberries and Cream Pancakes and Easy Breakfast Burritos. Enjoy!

MAPLE & BROWN SUGAR OATMEAL WITH ORANGE, CRANBERRIES & ALMONDS

I somehow ended up on the Kroger emailing list, which is a little strange, considering that 1) there isn't a Kroger anywhere near me, and 2) I don't recall signing up for their emails. No matter…I did visit a Kroger once while visiting family in Knoxville, and will say that while it looks like there are maybe two Krogers in Florida, I wouldn't object to them spreading out, say, to Florida's west coast. (Hey, Kroger people, are you listening?)

For the record, I'd also love to see Wegmans here, too. While I've shopped at Publix for years, it'd be nice to have some competition from the aforementioned two grocery stores. I'll leave it at that…

Anywho, this recipe was in the Kroger emailing list and looked absolutely yummy. While I'm not a fan of instant oatmeal, and plan to use this recipe to come up with something similar using quick cook oats, I'll post it here as it does look good. (Keep in mind that when I tweak it, I'll post the new one, okay?)

Serves: 1; Prep time: 5 minutes; Total time: 5 minutes; Difficulty: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 package Quaker® Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal, prepared according to package directions

1/4 orange, peeled and diced

1 tablespoon dried cranberries

1 tablespoon sliced almonds

1 tablespoon orange zest, grated

Directions

Top oatmeal with orange, dried cranberries and sliced almonds. Garnish with orange zest.

SAUSAGE-PEACH BAKE

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Makes about 8 servings.

Ingredients

2 cups Bisquick

1 (16 ounce) can sliced peaches, drained and juice reserved

1 package brown-and-serve sausage links

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon cornstarch

3/4 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

Mix Bisquick, egg and milk, then spread into prepared pan.

Slice each sausage link into four or six pieces. Lay over batter, and top with peach slices. Bake for 30 minutes or until done.

While mixture is baking, combine 1/2 cup of the peach juice, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan, then cook until mixture bubbles and thickens. Stir in syrup and butter. Remove baked mixture from oven, and cut into squares.

Serve with warm cooked sauce.

SUMMER BERRY BUCKLE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, "Softer and more fruit-filled than a coffeecake, but with a higher percentage of buttery batter than a cobbler, buckles are harder to classify than they are to make. This one is tender, moist and filled with sweet summer berries. But feel free to substitute any other juicy fruit that you like: peaches, nectarines, figs, plums or pineapple. If your fruit is very sweet (figs, pineapple), reduce the sugar by a couple of tablespoons, while tart fruit (plums or tart blackberries) may need an extra tablespoon. Buckles are best eaten on the same day they are baked. But since they come together so quickly, you don’t have to plan ahead."

Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1 hour

This was featured in "The Buckle Makes Great Use of Summer Fruit", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017644-summer-berry-buckle.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing pan

1/2 cup granulated sugar, more for sprinkling

1/4 cup light brown sugar

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

4 1/2 cups summer berries (a mix of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or use any one kind)

Cinnamon, for dusting (optional)

Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Preparation

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 9-inch round cake pan.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, add butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then add lemon zest and vanilla and mix until combined.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg and baking powder, and whisk to combine. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and mix until just combined.

Gently fold berries into the batter, then spread batter in pan and sprinkle lightly with more granulated sugar. Bake 40 to 50 minutes, or until top is golden and cake is cooked through.

Allow cake to cool, then sprinkle with cinnamon, if using, and confectioners’ sugar.

STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM PANCAKES

This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Ingredients

2 cups buttermilk biscuit baking mix

1 cup milk

2 eggs

2 cups strawberries, sliced

1 can pressurized whipped cream

Directions

Stir baking mix, milk and eggs until blended. Pour by scant 1/4 cupsful onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry. Turn; cook until golden. Spoon strawberries over pancakes. Decorate with whipped cream.

BAKED CHORIZO BREAKFAST BURRITO BOWLS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Wake up and start the day with these easy-to-make and filling breakfast burrito bowls. Layers of shredded cheese, crispy potato crowns, chorizo seasoned pork and fluffy eggs packed inside soft tortilla bowls; warmed and then topped with your favorite fresh toppings."

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/baked-chorizo-breakfast-burrito-bowls.

Ingredients

48 (about 3 1/3 cups) frozen seasoned shredded potato crowns (from 30-oz bag)

1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls

1 1/2 cups Old El Paso™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend (6 oz)

1/2 lb ground pork

1/3 cup water

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Chorizo Taco Seasoning Mix

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles

1 tablespoon butter

6 eggs, slightly beaten

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

1/2 cup salsa

Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. In 15x10x1-inch ungreased pan, spread frozen potatoes in single layer. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove to plate. Wipe out bottom of pan.

In same pan, place tortilla bowls standing up, next to each other. Divide 1 cup of the cheese among tortilla bowls. Top with potatoes (6 per tortilla bowl); set aside.

Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook pork over medium-high heat 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; do not drain. Stir in water, taco seasoning mix and chiles; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Divide among tortilla bowls. Carefully wipe out skillet.

In same skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add eggs; cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until set. Remove from heat; stir in remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Divide among tortilla bowls.

Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until warmed. Top with sliced avocado, green onions and salsa. Sprinkle cilantro on top.

Expert Tips

To slice avocado, cut in half and remove pit. Using large spoon, scoop flesh from skin. Place one half avocado cut side down on cutting board. Cut lengthwise into strips. Repeat with other half of avocado.

Try a drizzle of hot sauce instead of salsa to add a nice kick to the burrito bowls.

Nutrition: 8 bowls; 1 Bowl Calories 430 (Calories from Fat 220); Total Fat 25g (Saturated Fat 10g, Trans Fat 2g); Cholesterol 185mg; Sodium 990mg; Total Carbohydrate 33g (Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 3g); Protein 17g; % Daily Value: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 4%; Calcium 20%; Iron 15%; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1/2 Vegetable, 1 Lean Meat, 1 High-Fat Meat, 2 1/2 Fat; Carbohydrate Choice: 2

EASY BREAKFAST BURRITOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "This Southwest breakfast is quick enough for busy weekends. Or, you can try our make-ahead tip to freeze and reheat for a winning grab-and-go breakfast all week long."

Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/easy-breakfast-burritos.

Ingredients

6 eggs

2 tablespoons Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles (from 4.5-oz can)

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

6 fully cooked breakfast sausage links, cut into small pieces

1 bag (1 lb 4 oz) refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes

6 Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for burritos (from 11-oz package)

2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)

Preparation

In large bowl, beat 6 eggs, 2 tablespoons Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles and 1 to 2 tablespoons milk until well blended. In 10-inch skillet over medium heat, cook eggs, stirring occasionally, until scrambled. Stir in 6 fully cooked breakfast sausage links, cut into small pieces; heat until warm. Set aside.

Cook 1 bag (1 lb. 4 oz.) refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes as directed on bag; set aside.

To assemble burritos, spoon line of hash browns down center of each of 6 Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for burritos. Top with 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend and the scrambled eggs.

Roll up each tortilla tightly to secure filling. Serve immediately, or freeze as directed below.

To freeze, wrap each burrito in paper towel; wrap in foil. Freeze. To reheat, remove and discard foil. Microwave each frozen paper towel-wrapped burrito on High 2 minutes 30 seconds, turning burrito over halfway through heating.

Expert Tips

Change breakfast sausage out for cooked chorizo pork sausage for a delightful Southwest kick!

Wrapping the breakfast burrito in a paper towel before the foil helps to absorb the moisture from the burrito and prevent a soggy tortilla. It’s also perfect for microwaving on the go or at work when plates are not necessarily available.

Mexican Food - Double-Post Thursday

Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's double post deals with Mexican Food, and includes Baked Chorizo Breakfast Burrito Bowls and Spicy Bean and Rice Burritos. Enjoy!

BEEF EMPANADAS

This is from Angela Dimayuga in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Angela wrote, "Filipinos take snacking seriously, so much so that we devote an entire meal to it: merienda, which may take place midmorning or midafternoon, if not both. Empanadas are a great treat for this in-between time, but also keep well at room temperature — the grace of food built for a warm climate — so you can graze all day. (My family used to buy these by the tray for parties, but it’s nice to make your own and store them in the freezer for later.) In these, a ground-beef filling is tucked inside sturdy but flaky dough, with raisins added early in the cooking to plump with the beef juices. There are variations on empanadas all over Latin America; ours rely on the potency of onion and garlic, and exploit it to the hilt."

Yield: 40 empanadas; Time: 2 hours

This was featured in "Angela Dimayuga’s 10 Essential Filipino Recipes", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020490-beef-empanadas.

Ingredients

For the empanada dough:

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), diced

2 tablespoons white vinegar

2/3 cup ice water

For the filling:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

1/2 large green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch cubes

1/2 large red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch cubes

3 garlic cloves, finely minced

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1/2 medium russet potato, peeled and cut into 1-centimeter cubes (about 1/2 cup)

1/4 cup raisins

3/4 pound ground beef

1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon oyster sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 (48-ounce) bottle neutral oil, such as canola, for frying

Preparation

Prepare the empanada dough: In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, combine the flour and 1 tablespoon salt, and mix well. Add the butter and incorporate it into the flour using your hands or a food processor. Combine until mixture is sandy. Combine the egg mixture, vinegar and 2/3 cup ice water, whisking to break up the egg. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, and beat with a fork to bring dough together.

Sprinkle a light layer of flour over a work surface. Place the dough on top. Bring dough together by pressing and folding dough onto itself a few times with the palms of your hands. Being careful not to overwork, split dough in half and form into two equal logs about the thickness of a small sausage, 1 1/2- to 2-inches thick. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

While the dough rests, prepare the filling: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high and bring to a shimmer. Add the tomato paste and toast, stirring frequently, until darkened and caramelized, about 3 minutes. Add the onion, bell peppers, garlic, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the potato and raisins, and cook, stirring, until mixture starts to caramelize, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the beef, increase the temperature to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Stir in oyster sauce and soy sauce until coated, then stir in chicken stock. (Mixture should be glossy but not overtly wet; cook for another 5 minutes or so to reduce liquid, if need be.) Transfer to a sheet pan, dispersing in a thin layer, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 20 minutes.

Fill a small bowl with some cool water for sealing your empanadas, and another small bowl with flour for dusting. Working with one log at a time, remove dough from fridge. Cut each log in half crosswise, then cut each half crosswise into 10 equal pieces, which will be the shape of thick coins. Using a bit of flour, dust your work surface. Round each coin slightly using your thumb and forefinger and on your surface with your hands press each coin lightly to coax it into a flat round shape. Switch to a rolling pin and roll each piece of empanada dough into a 4 1/2-inch circle. You can lightly dust and stack your circles off to the side or transfer them to a parchment lined baking sheet and chill until you are ready to assemble (they are easier to work with when kept cool). Repeat with remaining log. When you have all your pieces rolled out, you are ready to assemble your empanadas. Place about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the meat filling in the center of each circle, leaving at least a 1/2-inch border. Using a brush or your finger, wet the edges of the dough with water and fold the crust over the filling, forming half-moon empanada shapes, sealing out as much air as possible. Crimp the edges of the empanada with the tines of a fork to seal.

In a large heavy Dutch oven or pot, heat about 2 inches of oil over medium-high. Heat oil to 365 degrees. Working in batches so as not to crowd the pan, maintaining an even heat, fry the empanadas, turning frequently, until they start to bob, 4 to 5 minutes. (They should be crisp and golden brown, the pastry should be cooked through and the meat should be warmed through.) Transfer to a paper-towel lined baking sheet and fry remaining empanadas. Serve warm.

MEXICAN CRULLERS (CHURROS)

This is from Daisy Martinez on the Cooking Channel. Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 12 to 15 minutes; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 cup water

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 to 5 eggs

Canola oil, for frying

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

To make the crullers: In a medium saucepan, heat 1 cup water, the butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt over medium-high heat until the edges of the liquid start to bubble. Add the flour all at once and stir briskly with a wooden spoon until well mixed and no lumps of flour remain.

Remove from the heat. Add 4 of the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well with a wooden spoon after each. The dough should look soft and glossy and keep a "hook" shape when the spoon is pulled from the dough. If not, beat in the last egg.

Scrape the dough into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pour enough canola oil into a deep heavy skillet (cast iron is ideal) to fill 1-inch. Heat over medium heat until the tip of the handle of a wooden spoon gives off a slow steady stream of tiny bubbles. Carefully pipe the dough into the oil, forming 6-inch crullers. Pipe only as many crullers into the oil as fit comfortably. Overcrowding the pan will result in soggy crullers. Fry, turning once, until golden brown on each side. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining dough.

Put the sugar and the cinnamon in a paper bag. Crimp the top and shake well to mix. Drop a few crullers at a time into the bag and shake until coated. Best served as soon as possible.

MEXICAN DESSERT TRIFLES

This is from Stephanie in her really wonderful food sited, Worth Whisking. If you've never visited the site, I seriously suggest checking it out. Go ahead, I'll wait…

Okay, Stephanie starts the recipe off this way: "I've been brainstorming this recipe for about a month on and off. Just every now and then when my mind wasn’t totally preoccupied by school, and I could think a bit creatively. My husband and I had dinner at a local Mexican restaurant about a month back, and as is super common for any restaurant I visit, my eyes wandered to the dessert section of the menu first. (Actually, this is almost a given!)

"It’s pretty rare for me to get dessert at a Mexican restaurant. Rare, as in almost never. Mostly because I fill up on free tortilla chips pretty much every time! (Those things are evil! How can I resist large, warm, crispy tortilla chips? Impossible, I say!) So, this particular day was no different. Definitely no dessert for me, but it all sounded so good!! Xango – creamy cheesecake wrapped in a fried cinnamon/sugar dusted pastry tortilla. Sopapilla – fried flour tortilla with honey, butter, and cinnamon. Fried ice cream – ice cream rolled in corn flakes and cinnamon, served with honey. Does anything there sound repulsive in any way? No? Didn’t think so."

She then goes on to describe the process of coming up with this absolute yumminess. I really (really) suggest you check it out!

Prep Time: 30 mins; Cook Time: 27 mins; Total Time: 57 mins; Servings: 6 mini trifles

Check this out at https://www.worthwhisking.com/mexican-dessert-trifles/.

Ingredients

Cream Cheese Layer

8 ounces cream cheese softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 8- ounce package Cool Whip thawed

Crust Layer

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 refrigerated pie crusts

3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Cinnamon Crunch Layer

2-1/2 cups corn flake cereal

1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Honey

Directions

Cream Cheese Layer

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. About 2 minutes.

Fold the Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture with a spatula until completely combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Crust

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.

Bring pie crusts to room temperature per package instructions. Brush one side of one crust with butter. Sprinkle with approximately 1/4 of the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Flip crust over and repeat. Repeat with second pie crust.

Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut each pie crust into squares approximately 1/2” x 1/2”. Spread the squares evenly across prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring the crust pieces every 3-4 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely on baking sheets.

Cinnamon Crunch Layer

While the crust pieces are baking, place cereal in a food processor and process until finely crushed. (Or, place cereal in a sealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.) Place crushed cereal in a medium sized mixing bowl and mix in butter. Stir in sugar and cinnamon until well blended.

Spread the cereal mixture in a thin layer on a rimmed baking sheet. When the crusts are finished baking, bake the cereal mixture at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 3-5 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely on baking sheet.

Assembly

Place several pie crust pieces in the bottom of each small parfait or trifle glass. Pipe or spoon a layer of the cream cheese mixture over the crust pieces. Sprinkle the cinnamon crunch over the cream cheese to cover. Repeat with another layer of pie crust pieces and cream cheese mixture. Drizzle honey over the top cream cheese layer and then sprinkle with cinnamon crunch to cover.

SPICY BEAN & RICE BURRITOS

This is from Eden Foods, and is very yummy. Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Serves: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

16 ounces Eden Spicy Refried Pinto Beans or Eden Spicy Refried Black Beans

1 Tbsp Eden Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup onions, minced

1/4 cup red bell pepper, minced

1 cup cooked brown rice

4 whole whole grain flour tortillas

1/2 cup prepared salsa

Directions

Place tortillas in a covered casserole dish and heat in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.

Heat oil in a skillet and sauté garlic, onion and bell pepper for 2 to 3 minutes. Add refried beans and rice, mix and cook until hot, stirring frequently.

Spread 1/2 cup bean mixture on each tortilla. Top with salsa and roll up. Slice and serve.

Nutritional Information: Per serving - 409 calories, 10 g fat (21% calories from fat), 13 g protein, 71 g carbohydrate, 10 g fiber, 0 mg cholesterol, 642 mg sodium

EASY SALSA VERDE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "These saucy chicken enchiladas are filled with green chiles and cheese and drizzled with Old El Paso™ Creamy Salsa Verde sauce. They’re easy to throw together for a quick weeknight dinner."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Makes 5 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/easy-salsa-verde-chicken-enchiladas.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken

2 cans (10 oz each) Old El Paso™ Green Enchilada Sauce

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles

1 package (10 count) Old El Paso™ Flour Tortillas for soft tacos & fajitas, 6 inch

1 package Old El Paso™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend (8 oz)

1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Creamy Salsa Verde sauce

1/2 cup chopped plum (Roma) tomatoes

2 tablespoons sliced green onions

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish or pan with cooking spray.

In 10-inch skillet, heat chicken, 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce and the chiles to simmering over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.

Spread 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce evenly in baking dish. Spread 1/4 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese. Wrap tortillas tightly around filling, placing seam side down in baking dish. Top with remaining enchilada sauce. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving; drizzle with sauce. Top with tomatoes and green onions.

Expert Tips

Try adding chopped jalapeños to the chicken mixture, in addition to the chopped green chiles, for some added spicy heat.

Chopped cilantro is a great fresh topper addition.

Nutrition: 5 servings (2 enchiladas each); 1 Serving Calories 530 (Calories from Fat 260); Total Fat 29g (Saturated Fat 11g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 110mg; Sodium 1550mg; Total Carbohydrate 36g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 5g); Protein 32g; % Daily Value: Vitamin A 4%; Vitamin C 2%; Calcium 35%; Iron 15%; Exchanges: 2 1/2 Starch, 2 1/2 Very Lean Meat, 1 High-Fat Meat, 3 1/2 Fat; Carbohydrate Choice: 2.5

BAKED CHORIZO BREAKFAST BURRITO BOWLS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Wake up and start the day with these easy-to-make and filling breakfast burrito bowls. Layers of shredded cheese, crispy potato crowns, chorizo seasoned pork and fluffy eggs packed inside soft tortilla bowls; warmed and then topped with your favorite fresh toppings."

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/baked-chorizo-breakfast-burrito-bowls.

Ingredients

48 (about 3 1/3 cups) frozen seasoned shredded potato crowns (from 30-oz bag)

1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls

1 1/2 cups Old El Paso™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend (6 oz)

1/2 lb ground pork

1/3 cup water

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Chorizo Taco Seasoning Mix

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles

1 tablespoon butter

6 eggs, slightly beaten

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

1/2 cup salsa

Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. In 15x10x1-inch ungreased pan, spread frozen potatoes in single layer. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove to plate. Wipe out bottom of pan.

In same pan, place tortilla bowls standing up, next to each other. Divide 1 cup of the cheese among tortilla bowls. Top with potatoes (6 per tortilla bowl); set aside.

Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook pork over medium-high heat 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; do not drain. Stir in water, taco seasoning mix and chiles; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Divide among tortilla bowls. Carefully wipe out skillet.

In same skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add eggs; cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until set. Remove from heat; stir in remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Divide among tortilla bowls.

Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until warmed. Top with sliced avocado, green onions and salsa. Sprinkle cilantro on top.

Expert Tips

To slice avocado, cut in half and remove pit. Using large spoon, scoop flesh from skin. Place one half avocado cut side down on cutting board. Cut lengthwise into strips. Repeat with other half of avocado.

Try a drizzle of hot sauce instead of salsa to add a nice kick to the burrito bowls.

Nutrition: 8 bowls; 1 Bowl Calories 430 (Calories from Fat 220); Total Fat 25g (Saturated Fat 10g, Trans Fat 2g); Cholesterol 185mg; Sodium 990mg; Total Carbohydrate 33g (Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 3g); Protein 17g; % Daily Value: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 4%; Calcium 20%; Iron 15%; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1/2 Vegetable, 1 Lean Meat, 1 High-Fat Meat, 2 1/2 Fat; Carbohydrate Choice: 2