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Showing posts with label Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast. Show all posts

Friday, March 1, 2024

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Italian Meatloaf and Classic Shepherd’s Pie. Enjoy!

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE FRENCH TOAST

This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 95), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "If raspberries are not available, you can substitute blueberries. Note: You must start this dish one day ahead." Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/raspberry-cream-cheese-french-toast/.

Ingredients

French Toast

12 slices bread, preferably raisin bread

4 oz. low-fat cream cheese

2 large eggs

2 cups low-fat milk

1/4 cup maple syrup

8 oz. raspberries

Raspberry sauce

1 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch

8 oz. raspberries

Preparation

To make French Toast: Grease 9×13-inch baking dish. Place 6 slices bread evenly on bottom of pan, and dot with half of cream cheese. Layer remaining 6 slices on top, and dot with remaining cream cheese.

Whisk together eggs, milk, syrup and raspberries in mixing bowl. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover baking dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Bake bread 1/2 hour covered; remove foil, and bake 30 minutes more, or until bread begins to puff up and brown.

To make Raspberry Sauce: Combine sugar, cornstarch and 1 cup water in saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 3 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk in raspberries, and cook 3 minutes more, or until sauce has thickened again. Serve French Toast with Raspberry Sauce.

CRESCENT MOON EMPANADAS

This came from Betty Crocker in a recent email. (Yes, you can sign up for their emails; definitely worthwhile.) This recipe begins, "For on-the-go snacks or hand-held appetizers, these classic Spanish empanadas are easy to make, using familiar ingredients like corn, Progresso™ beans and Old El Paso™ chiles."

Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Makes 34 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 lb ground beef round

2 teaspoons Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix (from 1.25-oz package)

1/4 cup water

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (4 oz)

1/4 cup frozen corn (from 12-oz bag) thawed

1/4 cup Progresso™ black beans (from 15-oz can), drained, rinsed

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles, drained

1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts (2 Count), softened as directed on box

1 egg, slightly beaten

3/4 cup sour cream

3/4 cup Old El Paso™ Thick ‘n Chunky salsa

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 3 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese, corn, beans and chiles

Remove crusts from pouches; unroll on work surface. Roll each crust to 12-inch round. With 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut 17 rounds from each crust. Spoon about 2 teaspoons beef mixture over half of each round to within 1/4 inch of edge. Brush edges with water. Fold dough over filling; press edges firmly with fork to seal. On ungreased cookie sheet, shape empanadas to curve and look like crescent moons. Brush with beaten egg.

Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool 10 minutes. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

Expert Tips

Make these empanadas main-dish pastries by cutting out larger rounds and filling them with more meat mixture. Baking time will be longer.

CLASSIC SHEPHERD'S PIE

This is from Alex Guarnashelli on the Today's site. She wrote, "This is a classic that makes me feel like I am in a pub enjoying myself. It's so comforting, especially with the cold weather. This is traditionally made with ground lamb but the American in me likes to make it with a somewhat lean beef and creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes instead. You can actually make this entirely in advance and bake when ready to serve. You can also shortcut by using premade mashed potatoes. This is a great freezer dish, which you can defrost and bake off any time.

"Technique tip: Cut your carrots, onions and celery all about the same size so they cook evenly and retain some of their texture.

"Swap option: Substitute ground chicken or turkey for the beef for a leaner option. Swap mashed sweet potatoes or Butternut squash puree for the mashed potatoes for a sweeter, lighter version."

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Mashed potatoes

4 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks

kosher salt

1/2 cup whole milk

9 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced, divided

1 cup sour cream, room temperature

1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Meat

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound ground beef

4 sprigs fresh thyme

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 large red onion, diced small

1 large carrot, diced small

2 ribs celery, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

1 cup frozen peas, defrosted

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 cup hearty beef broth

Directions

For the mashed potatoes:

In a large pot, add the potatoes and cover amply with cold water. Bring the water up to a boil and reduce the heat so that it simmers. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water and allow the potatoes to cook until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 20 to 25 minutes.

Drain the potatoes in a colander. Run the potatoes through a food mill or ricer.

Return the empty pot to the heat and add the milk. Bring the milk to a simmer and gingerly add the potatoes back into the pot. Season with salt and whisk in 8 tablespoons of the sliced butter and sour cream. Taste for seasoning. Remove from the heat.

For the meat:

In a medium-size skillet, heat the olive oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the ground beef in small pieces with the thyme and brown over high heat until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and transfer to a large bowl.

Add the onions, carrot and celery to the skillet and cook with the thyme sprigs. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are translucent and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off any excess grease. Discard the thyme.

Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the meat. Stir in the peas, vinegar and broth. Taste for seasoning.

To assemble:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Use the remaining tablespoon butter to grease the sides and bottom of a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with 2-inch sides.

Spoon a layer of the mashed potatoes on the bottom so it hugs the bottom of the dish and sprinkle with about 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese. Top the potatoes with all of the meat mixture. Top with all of the remaining mashed potatoes and all of the remaining cheese.

Place the dish in the center of the oven and bake until the center is hot when poked with the tip of a knife and the top browned, 30 to 40 minutes.

ITALIAN MEATLOAF

This is from Todd Coleman at The Spruce Eats. For this yumminess, he wrote, "This is a classic Italian-style meatloaf recipe. It is also free form style, which means it is shaped into a loaf by hand and baked on a sheet rather than baked in a bread loaf pan. We recommend using chuck beef to keep the loaf moist."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 70 minutes; Cool and Rest Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 110 minutes; Servings: 6 servings; Yield: 1 loaf

To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/italian-meatloaf-recipe-5209784.

Ingredients

2 slices white bread, crusts removed

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the pan

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 carrot, finely chopped

1 stalk celery, finely chopped

6 ounces button mushrooms, finely chopped

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

4 slices bacon, chopped

1 pound ground beef, preferably chuck

1/2 pound ground pork

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

2 large eggs, beaten

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

For the Glaze:

1/2 cup catsup

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Directions

Make the meatloaf

Gather the ingredients.

Heat the oven to 350 F. Finely chop the bread in a food processor. Set the breadcrumbs aside.

Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, mushrooms, and Italian seasoning and cook, stirring until soft and the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Set aside and let cool slightly.

Add the cooled vegetable mixture to the food processor along with the bacon, beef, and pork, and pulse until finely chopped—not puréed.

Add the mixture to a large bowl with the breadcrumbs, cream, soy sauce, Worcestershire, eggs, salt, and pepper. Using your hands, gently mix everything together until well combined.

Mold the meat mixture into a 9-inch-by-5-inch-sized loaf shape on a buttered, parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 135 F, 40 to 45 minutes.

Make and Add the Glaze

Raise the heat to 500 F. In a small bowl, mix together the glaze ingredients.

Brush the meatloaf with the glaze and bake until well browned, about 12 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips

We recommend using chuck beef for this recipe because the beef should have sufficient fat content to prevent the loaf from drying out while cooking. Ground beef that's 80% lean/20% fat works great too.

Resting the loaf before serving prevents all those delicious juices from draining out when you cut into it.

Try using your food processor to speed up the process of finely chopping the raw vegetables. Cut them into chunks first and pulse until finely chopped, not pureed.

Use a 9-by-5 inch loaf pan to help mold the meatloaf. Just pack the mixture into the loaf pan, then invert onto the baking sheet and lift the pan off. By cooking the meatloaf on a baking sheet instead of a loaf pan, it cooks much faster and the extra fat can drain off, keeping it from turning out greasy.

CHICKEN FAJITAS

This recipe is from the Food Network, and begins, "Marinating chicken, peppers and onions in a highly flavored marinade imparts big Tex-Mex flavors onto these mouthwatering grilled fajitas. Spiced yogurt and avocado sauce served alongside fresh cilantro keeps the fajitas healthy and fresh tasting."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Inactive Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/chicken-fajitas-recipe-2040619.

Ingredients

1 cup packed cilantro leaves, plus extra for serving

1/4 cup lime juice, about 2 limes

1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

3 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 cloves garlic

1 jalapeno, seeded if desired

1 tablespoon honey

Kosher salt

1 1/2-pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 red onion, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds

2 orange and/or yellow bell peppers, quartered, seeds removed

1 ripe avocado, halved, seeded and peeled

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil

1/8 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 cup fat-free Greek Yogurt

12 corn tortillas

Directions

Put the cilantro, lime juice, broth, scallions, garlic, jalapeno, honey, and salt in a blender, puree until smooth. Reserve 2 tablespoons; do not wash out the blender.

Put chicken breasts in a medium bowl and the peppers and onions in another. Divide the remaining cilantro puree evenly between the chicken and the peppers and onions. Toss well to coat the chicken and vegetables and let stand, at room temperature, for 30 minutes.

Add the avocado, 1/2 cup water, and the reserved 2 tablespoons cilantro sauce to the blender. Puree until smooth and season with salt. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a small skillet set over medium heat until hot. Add the cumin and coriander and continue to cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour the spices over the yogurt and set aside for the flavors to blend. Stir before serving.

Preheat a grill for medium-high/direct heat cooking. Oil the grill grates. Grill the chicken and vegetables, turning, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, about 5 to 8 minutes for the vegetables and 12 to 15 minutes for the chicken. Let chicken rest 5 minutes. Place the tortillas on the grill until just warmed through, about 30 seconds.

To assemble the fajitas: slice the onions and peppers into thin strips and then slice the chicken. Place some peppers, onions, chicken and cilantro in a tortilla topped with the spiced yogurt and the avocado sauce.

ITALIAN HERO SANDWICH

Yield: 2 servings

Source: "Mix 'n Match Meals in Minutes"

Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/13.shtml

Ingredients

2 small French or Italian whole-grain rolls (about 2 ounces each)

Olive oil cooking spray

2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

4 ounces roasted chicken breast pieces (1 cup)

2 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, sliced (1/2 cup)

1 cup canned pimentos, drained and cut into strips

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Slice rolls in half horizontally and remove the centers. Spray each side with cooking spray.

Layer tomato, chicken and mozzarella on one side of the roll. Add pimentos, salt, and pepper. Cover with top of roll, cut in half, and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 of recipe): Calories: 326, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 63 mg, Sodium: 507 mg, Carbohydrate: 31 g, Dietary Fiber: 4 g, Sugars: 7 g, Protein: 30 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Starch, 3 Very Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable, 1 Fat

Thursday, June 1, 2023

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 Baked Chorizo Breakfast Buritto Bowls, Challah French Toast, and Pirate Eggs. Enjoy!

RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES

This 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.

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE FRENCH TOAST

This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 95), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "If raspberries are not available, you can substitute blueberries. Note: You must start this dish one day ahead." Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/raspberry-cream-cheese-french-toast/.

Ingredients

French Toast

12 slices bread, preferably raisin bread

4 oz. low-fat cream cheese

2 large eggs

2 cups low-fat milk

1/4 cup maple syrup

8 oz. raspberries

Raspberry sauce

1 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch

8 oz. raspberries

Preparation

To make French Toast: Grease 9×13-inch baking dish. Place 6 slices bread evenly on bottom of pan, and dot with half of cream cheese. Layer remaining 6 slices on top, and dot with remaining cream cheese.

Whisk together eggs, milk, syrup and raspberries in mixing bowl. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover baking dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Bake bread 1/2 hour covered; remove foil, and bake 30 minutes more, or until bread begins to puff up and brown.

To make Raspberry Sauce: Combine sugar, cornstarch and 1 cup water in saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 3 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk in raspberries, and cook 3 minutes more, or until sauce has thickened again. Serve French Toast with Raspberry Sauce.

PIRATE EGGS

When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.

The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.

Ingredients

1-2 eggs

1-2 pieces of bread

margarine for the pan

Directions

Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hold. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!

CHALLAH FRENCH TOAST

This yumminess is from Ina Garten on the Food Network.

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Inactive Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 12 minutes; Total Time: 27 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 8 large slices

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 extra-large eggs

1 1/2 cups half-and-half or milk

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon good honey

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 large loaf challah or brioche bread

Unsalted butter

Vegetable oil

To serve:

Pure maple syrup

Good raspberry preserves (optional)

Sifted confectioners' sugar (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, orange zest, vanilla, honey, and salt. Slice the challah in 3/4-inch thick slices. Soak as many slices in the egg mixture as possible for 5 minutes, turning once.

Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a very large saute pan over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Place the cooked French toast on a sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven. Fry the remaining soaked bread slices, adding butter and oil as needed, until it's all cooked. Serve hot with maple syrup, raspberry preserves, and/or confectioners' sugar.

BANANA GRANOLA WITH CINNAMON, NUTMEG AND WALNUTS

This is from Jerrelle Guy in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Jerrelle wrote, "This banana bread-inspired granola uses real mashed banana, coconut oil, cinnamon, nutmeg and toasted nuts. Keeping it simple allows the subtle banana flavor to shine through, but you can tweak the recipe by adding dried coconut flakes, sesame or pumpkin seeds, more spices, or even chocolate chips or dried fruit. Breaking the granola into large clusters halfway through baking ensures the granola cooks evenly. Allow the granola to sit for at least one hour on the counter to harden completely. Double the recipe if you’d like to stock up your freezer. It will keep at least three months there, at the ready for snacking, or can be served for breakfast, in bowls with milk and freshly sliced banana."

Yield: 2-1/2 cups; Time: 1 hour, plus cooling

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021529-banana-granola-with-cinnamon-nutmeg-and-walnuts.

Ingredients

1/2 cup/5 ounces mashed bananas (from about 1 large or 2 small ripe or overripe bananas)

1/4 packed cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup melted virgin coconut oil

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1/4 cup walnut halves, roughly chopped

Preparation

Heat the oven to 325 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Add the mashed banana to a medium saucepan along with the brown sugar and coconut oil. Stir to combine. Cover and cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the pot comes to a sputtering boil. (You’ll hear it popping.) Cook for another 60 to 90 seconds, swirling the pan often so the mixture doesn’t burn.

Remove the pan from the heat, allow the sputtering to subside, then stir in the lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Fold in the oats and walnuts until combined.

Spread the mixture out on the prepared sheet pan in an even layer. Using a spatula, press the oats down into a layer that is about 1/2-inch thick. Bake for 25 minutes, rotating halfway through, then remove the sheet pan from the oven and, using a butter knife, break the granola into large, 2- to 2 1/2-inch clusters on the baking sheet.

Spread the clusters evenly around the pan and bake again until the clusters are a deep golden brown, another 15 to 20 minutes, rotating and tossing halfway through so they don’t burn.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the granola to cool for at least 30 minutes on the counter to harden slightly. Once the granola has cooled, break it up with your hands into small or medium clusters, depending on preference. Allow to cool completely, at least one more hour.

Transfer the granola to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to a month (or in the freezer, where it’ll stay crisp for at least 3 months).

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Breakfast

We've all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

While most of us think of having breakfast only in the morning, there's no reason we can't have it any time of day, including for dinner. So, for whenever you decide to have breakfast, here are six yummy recipes to try, including a Spinach Frittatta and simple (and simply yummy) Pirate Eggs. Enjoy!

CHALLAH FRENCH TOAST

This yumminess is from Ina Garten on the Food Network.

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Inactive Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 12 minutes; Total Time: 27 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 8 large slices

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 extra-large eggs

1 1/2 cups half-and-half or milk

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon good honey

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 large loaf challah or brioche bread

Unsalted butter

Vegetable oil

To serve:

Pure maple syrup

Good raspberry preserves (optional)

Sifted confectioners' sugar (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, orange zest, vanilla, honey, and salt. Slice the challah in 3/4-inch thick slices. Soak as many slices in the egg mixture as possible for 5 minutes, turning once.

Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a very large saute pan over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Place the cooked French toast on a sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven. Fry the remaining soaked bread slices, adding butter and oil as needed, until it's all cooked. Serve hot with maple syrup, raspberry preserves, and/or confectioners' sugar.

BLUEBERRY DROP BISCUITS

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves 8 to 10.

Ingredients

1 cup blueberries

3 tablespoons sugar

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons cold shortening

1 cup cold milk

Directions

Butter a baking sheet. Wash drain and dry the blueberries. In a medium bowl combine the blueberries with 2 tablespoons sugar. In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut the shortening in to the mixture with a pastry blender. Add the milk stirring with a fork. Add the blueberries. Drop by spoonfuls 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the biscuits with the remaining tablespoon of sugar. Bake at 450 degrees for 12 minutes. Serve hot with butter.

PIRATE EGGS

When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.

The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.

Ingredients

1-2 eggs

1-2 pieces of bread

margarine for the pan

Directions

Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hold. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!

SPINACH FRITTATA

I fixed this one evening when I wanted something quick, easy and filling. You can use any veggies and cheese you like, but I'm adding the ones I like. This is enough for two people.

Ingredients

4 eggs

2-4 Tablespoons milk

1 onion, chopped

1 pepper, chopped

1 potato, peeled and diced

1/2 bag of spinach (10-16 ounce bag), rinced

1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese

margarine for pan

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Melt margarine in an oven-proof pan over medium heat on the stove. Add veggies, cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Crack eggs in bowl, add milk, and beat. Pour eggs over veggies. Do NOT stir all the way through like you would with scrambled eggs, but do occasionally stir the top layer of liquid-y eggs, letting the bottom layer set. Add the shredded cheese and salt and pepper, then place a lid to help the eggs cook more evenly, lifting the lid only to stir the top layer so that it cooks evenly. When the eggs are almost completely done cooking, turn the oven's broiler on and place the pan--WITHOUT THE LID!--under the broiler, and broil for 1-2 minutes. Take out of oven, using care, as the handle will be very hot. Cut the frittata in half, place on plates, and enjoy!

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.

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE FRENCH TOAST

Today’s post started with Challah French Toast, and is ending with Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast. This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 95), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "If raspberries are not available, you can substitute blueberries. Note: You must start this dish one day ahead." Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/raspberry-cream-cheese-french-toast/.

Ingredients

French Toast

12 slices bread, preferably raisin bread

4 oz. low-fat cream cheese

2 large eggs

2 cups low-fat milk

1/4 cup maple syrup

8 oz. raspberries

Raspberry sauce

1 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch

8 oz. raspberries

Preparation

To make French Toast: Grease 9×13-inch baking dish. Place 6 slices bread evenly on bottom of pan, and dot with half of cream cheese. Layer remaining 6 slices on top, and dot with remaining cream cheese.

Whisk together eggs, milk, syrup and raspberries in mixing bowl. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover baking dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Bake bread 1/2 hour covered; remove foil, and bake 30 minutes more, or until bread begins to puff up and brown.

To make Raspberry Sauce: Combine sugar, cornstarch and 1 cup water in saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 3 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk in raspberries, and cook 3 minutes more, or until sauce has thickened again. Serve French Toast with Raspberry Sauce.

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Breakfast

We've all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

While most of us think of having breakfast only in the morning, there's no reason we can't have it any time of day, including for dinner. So, for whenever you decide to have breakfast, here are six yummy recipes to try, including a Spinach Frittatta and simple (and simply yummy) Pirate Eggs. Enjoy!

CHALLAH FRENCH TOAST

This yumminess is from Ina Garten on the Food Network.

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Inactive Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 12 minutes; Total Time: 27 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 8 large slices

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 extra-large eggs

1 1/2 cups half-and-half or milk

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon good honey

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 large loaf challah or brioche bread

Unsalted butter

Vegetable oil

To serve:

Pure maple syrup

Good raspberry preserves (optional)

Sifted confectioners' sugar (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, orange zest, vanilla, honey, and salt. Slice the challah in 3/4-inch thick slices. Soak as many slices in the egg mixture as possible for 5 minutes, turning once.

Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a very large saute pan over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Place the cooked French toast on a sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven. Fry the remaining soaked bread slices, adding butter and oil as needed, until it's all cooked. Serve hot with maple syrup, raspberry preserves, and/or confectioners' sugar.

BLUEBERRY DROP BISCUITS

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves 8 to 10.

Ingredients

1 cup blueberries

3 tablespoons sugar

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons cold shortening

1 cup cold milk

Directions

Butter a baking sheet. Wash drain and dry the blueberries. In a medium bowl combine the blueberries with 2 tablespoons sugar. In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut the shortening in to the mixture with a pastry blender. Add the milk stirring with a fork. Add the blueberries. Drop by spoonfuls 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the biscuits with the remaining tablespoon of sugar. Bake at 450 degrees for 12 minutes. Serve hot with butter.

PIRATE EGGS

When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.

The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.

Ingredients

1-2 eggs

1-2 pieces of bread

margarine for the pan

Directions

Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hold. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!

SPINACH FRITTATA

I fixed this one evening when I wanted something quick, easy and filling. You can use any veggies and cheese you like, but I'm adding the ones I like. This is enough for two people.

Ingredients

4 eggs

2-4 Tablespoons milk

1 onion, chopped

1 pepper, chopped

1 potato, peeled and diced

1/2 bag of spinach (10-16 ounce bag), rinced

1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese

margarine for pan

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Melt margarine in an oven-proof pan over medium heat on the stove. Add veggies, cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Crack eggs in bowl, add milk, and beat. Pour eggs over veggies. Do NOT stir all the way through like you would with scrambled eggs, but do occasionally stir the top layer of liquid-y eggs, letting the bottom layer set. Add the shredded cheese and salt and pepper, then place a lid to help the eggs cook more evenly, lifting the lid only to stir the top layer so that it cooks evenly. When the eggs are almost completely done cooking, turn the oven's broiler on and place the pan--WITHOUT THE LID!--under the broiler, and broil for 1-2 minutes. Take out of oven, using care, as the handle will be very hot. Cut the frittata in half, place on plates, and enjoy!

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.

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE FRENCH TOAST

Today’s post started with Challah French Toast, and is ending with Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast. This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 95), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "If raspberries are not available, you can substitute blueberries. Note: You must start this dish one day ahead." Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/raspberry-cream-cheese-french-toast/.

Ingredients

French Toast

12 slices bread, preferably raisin bread

4 oz. low-fat cream cheese

2 large eggs

2 cups low-fat milk

1/4 cup maple syrup

8 oz. raspberries

Raspberry sauce

1 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch

8 oz. raspberries

Preparation

To make French Toast: Grease 9×13-inch baking dish. Place 6 slices bread evenly on bottom of pan, and dot with half of cream cheese. Layer remaining 6 slices on top, and dot with remaining cream cheese.

Whisk together eggs, milk, syrup and raspberries in mixing bowl. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover baking dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Bake bread 1/2 hour covered; remove foil, and bake 30 minutes more, or until bread begins to puff up and brown.

To make Raspberry Sauce: Combine sugar, cornstarch and 1 cup water in saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 3 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk in raspberries, and cook 3 minutes more, or until sauce has thickened again. Serve French Toast with Raspberry Sauce.

Friday, February 18, 2022

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Italian Meatloaf and Classic Shepherd’s Pie. Enjoy!

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE FRENCH TOAST

This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 95), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "If raspberries are not available, you can substitute blueberries. Note: You must start this dish one day ahead." Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/raspberry-cream-cheese-french-toast/.

Ingredients

French Toast

12 slices bread, preferably raisin bread

4 oz. low-fat cream cheese

2 large eggs

2 cups low-fat milk

1/4 cup maple syrup

8 oz. raspberries

Raspberry sauce

1 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch

8 oz. raspberries

Preparation

To make French Toast: Grease 9×13-inch baking dish. Place 6 slices bread evenly on bottom of pan, and dot with half of cream cheese. Layer remaining 6 slices on top, and dot with remaining cream cheese.

Whisk together eggs, milk, syrup and raspberries in mixing bowl. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover baking dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Bake bread 1/2 hour covered; remove foil, and bake 30 minutes more, or until bread begins to puff up and brown.

To make Raspberry Sauce: Combine sugar, cornstarch and 1 cup water in saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 3 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk in raspberries, and cook 3 minutes more, or until sauce has thickened again. Serve French Toast with Raspberry Sauce.

CRESCENT MOON EMPANADAS

This came from Betty Crocker in a recent email. (Yes, you can sign up for their emails; definitely worthwhile.) This recipe begins, "For on-the-go snacks or hand-held appetizers, these classic Spanish empanadas are easy to make, using familiar ingredients like corn, Progresso™ beans and Old El Paso™ chiles."

Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Makes 34 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 lb ground beef round

2 teaspoons Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix (from 1.25-oz package)

1/4 cup water

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (4 oz)

1/4 cup frozen corn (from 12-oz bag) thawed

1/4 cup Progresso™ black beans (from 15-oz can), drained, rinsed

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles, drained

1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts (2 Count), softened as directed on box

1 egg, slightly beaten

3/4 cup sour cream

3/4 cup Old El Paso™ Thick ‘n Chunky salsa

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 3 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese, corn, beans and chiles

Remove crusts from pouches; unroll on work surface. Roll each crust to 12-inch round. With 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut 17 rounds from each crust. Spoon about 2 teaspoons beef mixture over half of each round to within 1/4 inch of edge. Brush edges with water. Fold dough over filling; press edges firmly with fork to seal. On ungreased cookie sheet, shape empanadas to curve and look like crescent moons. Brush with beaten egg.

Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool 10 minutes. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

Expert Tips

Make these empanadas main-dish pastries by cutting out larger rounds and filling them with more meat mixture. Baking time will be longer.

CLASSIC SHEPHERD'S PIE

This is from Alex Guarnashelli on the Today's site. She wrote, "This is a classic that makes me feel like I am in a pub enjoying myself. It's so comforting, especially with the cold weather. This is traditionally made with ground lamb but the American in me likes to make it with a somewhat lean beef and creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes instead. You can actually make this entirely in advance and bake when ready to serve. You can also shortcut by using premade mashed potatoes. This is a great freezer dish, which you can defrost and bake off any time.

"Technique tip: Cut your carrots, onions and celery all about the same size so they cook evenly and retain some of their texture.

"Swap option: Substitute ground chicken or turkey for the beef for a leaner option. Swap mashed sweet potatoes or Butternut squash puree for the mashed potatoes for a sweeter, lighter version."

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Mashed potatoes

4 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks

kosher salt

1/2 cup whole milk

9 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced, divided

1 cup sour cream, room temperature

1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Meat

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound ground beef

4 sprigs fresh thyme

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 large red onion, diced small

1 large carrot, diced small

2 ribs celery, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

1 cup frozen peas, defrosted

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 cup hearty beef broth

Directions

For the mashed potatoes:

In a large pot, add the potatoes and cover amply with cold water. Bring the water up to a boil and reduce the heat so that it simmers. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water and allow the potatoes to cook until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 20 to 25 minutes.

Drain the potatoes in a colander. Run the potatoes through a food mill or ricer.

Return the empty pot to the heat and add the milk. Bring the milk to a simmer and gingerly add the potatoes back into the pot. Season with salt and whisk in 8 tablespoons of the sliced butter and sour cream. Taste for seasoning. Remove from the heat.

For the meat:

In a medium-size skillet, heat the olive oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the ground beef in small pieces with the thyme and brown over high heat until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and transfer to a large bowl.

Add the onions, carrot and celery to the skillet and cook with the thyme sprigs. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are translucent and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off any excess grease. Discard the thyme.

Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the meat. Stir in the peas, vinegar and broth. Taste for seasoning.

To assemble:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Use the remaining tablespoon butter to grease the sides and bottom of a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with 2-inch sides.

Spoon a layer of the mashed potatoes on the bottom so it hugs the bottom of the dish and sprinkle with about 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese. Top the potatoes with all of the meat mixture. Top with all of the remaining mashed potatoes and all of the remaining cheese.

Place the dish in the center of the oven and bake until the center is hot when poked with the tip of a knife and the top browned, 30 to 40 minutes.

ITALIAN MEATLOAF

This is from Todd Coleman at The Spruce Eats. For this yumminess, he wrote, "This is a classic Italian-style meatloaf recipe. It is also free form style, which means it is shaped into a loaf by hand and baked on a sheet rather than baked in a bread loaf pan. We recommend using chuck beef to keep the loaf moist."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 70 minutes; Cool and Rest Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 110 minutes; Servings: 6 servings; Yield: 1 loaf

To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/italian-meatloaf-recipe-5209784.

Ingredients

2 slices white bread, crusts removed

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the pan

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 carrot, finely chopped

1 stalk celery, finely chopped

6 ounces button mushrooms, finely chopped

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

4 slices bacon, chopped

1 pound ground beef, preferably chuck

1/2 pound ground pork

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

2 large eggs, beaten

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

For the Glaze:

1/2 cup catsup

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Directions

Make the meatloaf

Gather the ingredients.

Heat the oven to 350 F. Finely chop the bread in a food processor. Set the breadcrumbs aside.

Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, mushrooms, and Italian seasoning and cook, stirring until soft and the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Set aside and let cool slightly.

Add the cooled vegetable mixture to the food processor along with the bacon, beef, and pork, and pulse until finely chopped—not puréed.

Add the mixture to a large bowl with the breadcrumbs, cream, soy sauce, Worcestershire, eggs, salt, and pepper. Using your hands, gently mix everything together until well combined.

Mold the meat mixture into a 9-inch-by-5-inch-sized loaf shape on a buttered, parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 135 F, 40 to 45 minutes.

Make and Add the Glaze

Raise the heat to 500 F. In a small bowl, mix together the glaze ingredients.

Brush the meatloaf with the glaze and bake until well browned, about 12 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips

We recommend using chuck beef for this recipe because the beef should have sufficient fat content to prevent the loaf from drying out while cooking. Ground beef that's 80% lean/20% fat works great too.

Resting the loaf before serving prevents all those delicious juices from draining out when you cut into it.

Try using your food processor to speed up the process of finely chopping the raw vegetables. Cut them into chunks first and pulse until finely chopped, not pureed.

Use a 9-by-5 inch loaf pan to help mold the meatloaf. Just pack the mixture into the loaf pan, then invert onto the baking sheet and lift the pan off. By cooking the meatloaf on a baking sheet instead of a loaf pan, it cooks much faster and the extra fat can drain off, keeping it from turning out greasy.

CHICKEN FAJITAS

This recipe is from the Food Network, and begins, "Marinating chicken, peppers and onions in a highly flavored marinade imparts big Tex-Mex flavors onto these mouthwatering grilled fajitas. Spiced yogurt and avocado sauce served alongside fresh cilantro keeps the fajitas healthy and fresh tasting."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Inactive Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/chicken-fajitas-recipe-2040619.

Ingredients

1 cup packed cilantro leaves, plus extra for serving

1/4 cup lime juice, about 2 limes

1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

3 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 cloves garlic

1 jalapeno, seeded if desired

1 tablespoon honey

Kosher salt

1 1/2-pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 red onion, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds

2 orange and/or yellow bell peppers, quartered, seeds removed

1 ripe avocado, halved, seeded and peeled

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil

1/8 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 cup fat-free Greek Yogurt

12 corn tortillas

Directions

Put the cilantro, lime juice, broth, scallions, garlic, jalapeno, honey, and salt in a blender, puree until smooth. Reserve 2 tablespoons; do not wash out the blender.

Put chicken breasts in a medium bowl and the peppers and onions in another. Divide the remaining cilantro puree evenly between the chicken and the peppers and onions. Toss well to coat the chicken and vegetables and let stand, at room temperature, for 30 minutes.

Add the avocado, 1/2 cup water, and the reserved 2 tablespoons cilantro sauce to the blender. Puree until smooth and season with salt. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a small skillet set over medium heat until hot. Add the cumin and coriander and continue to cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour the spices over the yogurt and set aside for the flavors to blend. Stir before serving.

Preheat a grill for medium-high/direct heat cooking. Oil the grill grates. Grill the chicken and vegetables, turning, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, about 5 to 8 minutes for the vegetables and 12 to 15 minutes for the chicken. Let chicken rest 5 minutes. Place the tortillas on the grill until just warmed through, about 30 seconds.

To assemble the fajitas: slice the onions and peppers into thin strips and then slice the chicken. Place some peppers, onions, chicken and cilantro in a tortilla topped with the spiced yogurt and the avocado sauce.

ITALIAN HERO SANDWICH

Yield: 2 servings

Source: "Mix 'n Match Meals in Minutes"

Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/13.shtml

Ingredients

2 small French or Italian whole-grain rolls (about 2 ounces each)

Olive oil cooking spray

2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

4 ounces roasted chicken breast pieces (1 cup)

2 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, sliced (1/2 cup)

1 cup canned pimentos, drained and cut into strips

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Slice rolls in half horizontally and remove the centers. Spray each side with cooking spray.

Layer tomato, chicken and mozzarella on one side of the roll. Add pimentos, salt, and pepper. Cover with top of roll, cut in half, and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 of recipe): Calories: 326, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 63 mg, Sodium: 507 mg, Carbohydrate: 31 g, Dietary Fiber: 4 g, Sugars: 7 g, Protein: 30 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Starch, 3 Very Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable, 1 Fat

Monday, February 7, 2022

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's yummy offerings include Hearty Turkey Chili and Chef John's Salisbury Steak. Enjoy!

30-MINUTE CHILI WITH GROUND BEEF AND BEANS

This comes from Diana Rattray, a southern food cook on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This ground beef chili is hearty and delicious, and it takes only 30 minutes from start to finish! Don't feel overwhelmed by the list of ingredients, many are suggested toppings.

“The ground beef is quickly browned, then it is combined with a spice mixture, beans, and tomatoes for a quick and easy meal for a busy day. It's also easy on the budget.

“Make a pan of cornbread to go with the chili, along with a salad or slaw, or serve it with hot cooked rice and warm tortillas.

“If you're making this for a party game day gathering, offer several toppings with the chili and add a bowl of tortilla chips to the menu. The recipe is easily doubled.”

Total Time: 30 mins; PrepTime: 5 mins; Cook: 25 mins; Yield: 6 Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Seasoning Mix:

3 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons onion (dried minced)

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Chili:

1 1/2 pounds ground beef (at least 85% lean)

1 can/14.5 ounces diced tomatoes

1 can/14.5 ounces diced tomatoes with mild green chile peppers*

1 can/8 ounces tomato sauce

1 can/15 to 16 ounces black beans (undrained)

salt to taste

Optional: shredded cheddar, cheddar-jack, or a Mexican blend of cheeses

For Toppings (optional):

sour cream

green onion (chopped)

red onion (chopped)

lettuce (shredded)

cilantro

guacamole

tomatoes (diced)

Directions

In a small bowl or cup, combine the chili powder with the dried minced onion, cumin, oregano, sugar, garlic powder, and the black and cayenne peppers. Blend well and set aside.

In a Dutch oven or large sauté pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef, turning and breaking up with a spatula as it cooks.

Drain the ground beef well. Return the beef to the pan over medium heat. Add the chili seasoning mix and stir to blend.

Add the 2 cans of tomatoes, tomato sauce, and undrained black beans. Stir to blend ingredients.

Bring the chili to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

Taste and add salt, as needed.

Serve with a Tex-Mex cornbread or classic Southern cornbread, biscuits, crackers, or tortilla chips, along with shredded cheese and your favorite toppings.

Tip

If you don't have diced tomatoes with chile peppers, use regular diced tomatoes and add mild green chile peppers. Or, use about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of chunky mild to medium salsa in place of the second can of tomatoes.

TURKEY VEGGIE SLOPPY JOES

This is from The Mayo CLinic.

Serves 10; Serving size: 1 sandwich

To view this online, go to http://diet.mayoclinic.org/diet/recipe/turkey-veggie-sloppy-joes.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground turkey breast meat (or 12 ounces soy-based crumbles)

1/2 medium onion, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)

1 medium carrot, finely chopped

1/2 medium green bell pepper, chopped

1 1/2 cups zucchini, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 can low-sodium tomato paste (6 ounces)

1 1/2 cups water

1 tablespoon mild chili powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

5 ounces reduced-fat cheddar cheese, thinly sliced 10 whole-wheat hamburger buns

Directions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté ground turkey until browned, about 7 minutes. Add onion and sauté 2 minutes. Add carrot and green pepper and sauté 2 minutes. Add zucchini and garlic and sauté 2 minutes more.

Add tomato paste and water, stirring until the paste has dissolved. Add chili powder, paprika, oregano and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until the mixture has thickened, about 10 minutes.

Preheat broiler. Divide cheese among the bottom halves of the hamburger buns. Transfer both halves of the buns to the broiler, open-faced, and toast until the cheese has melted and the buns are toasted.

Remove buns from the broiler and fill each sandwich with the meat-vegetable mixture. Serve immediately.

MEXICAN MEATBALL KABOBS

Recipe Yield: Yield Makes 30 servings, 2 skewers each

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/mexican-meatball-kabobs.

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray

3 pounds lean ground beef

2 cups quick oats

1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestle's Carnation Evaporated Milk

2 large eggs

1/2 cup ketchup

2 packets (1.25 ounces each) taco seasoning mix

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

3 large bell peppers (any color), cut into 60, 1-inch pieces

60 4-inch wooden skewers

Salsa and sour cream (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F. Foil-line 3 baking sheets and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine ground beef, oats, evaporated milk, eggs, ketchup, taco seasoning and black pepper in large bowl until just mixed. Form mixture into 120, 1-inch meatballs. Place on prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Drain on paper towels, if needed.

Thread two meatballs and one piece of pepper on each skewer. Place on large serving platter. Serve with salsa and sour cream.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 110; Fat: 1.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 260 mg; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Protein: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g; Sugars: 3 g

CHEF JOHN'S SALISBURY STEAK

This is from Chef John at All Recipes. He wrote, "When I was a kid, we didn't have smartphones or the internet, all we had was a TV. But we didn't care because as we watched, we got to enjoy a little something called a "TV dinner." The king of those dinners, in my opinion, was the Salisbury steak, which is what I'll show you how to make here, along with one of the greatest gravies ever invented. Serve with buttered mashed potatoes and a vegetable side of your choice.

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Additional Time: 2 hours; Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes; Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/280901/chef-johns-salisbury-steak/.

Ingredients

For the Steaks:

1 pound 85% lean ground beef

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dry mustard

2 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 large egg, beaten

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

1/2 cup plain bread crumbs

For the Gravy:

2 tablespoons salted butter

12 large white button mushrooms, sliced

1 cup diced onion

1 pinch salt

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

3 cups high-quality, low-sodium beef broth

salt to taste

2 tablespoons salted butter

Directions

Combine beef, black pepper, dry mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire, soy sauce, egg, cayenne, and bread crumbs in a mixing bowl. Use a fork or your hands to stir the ingredients until very evenly distributed.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, or up to overnight.

While the meat is resting, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick pan over high heat; add mushrooms, onions, and a pinch of salt. Saute, stirring occasionally, until very nicely browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add flour. Cook and stir for 3 minutes.

Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth; increase heat to high. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens slightly and reduces, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Transfer to a glass measuring cup, scraping the pan clean with a spatula, and reserve.

Remove meat from the refrigerator and divide into 4 equal portions. Moisten hands and form into oval patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Season both sides of the patties lightly with salt.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the previously used nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Pour in gravy and bring to a simmer; reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until gravy is piping hot, and the meat is just cooked through and springs back lightly when touched, about 5 minutes.

Chef's Notes:

You can use the meat mixture immediately rather than wrapping and refrigerating.

You can make the meatballs round or in any shape you like.

HEARTY TURKEY CHILI

This comes from GE Appliances and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey

1 medium onion, chopped

2-15oz. cans chili-ready beans in chili gravy

1-12oz bottle beer (can use non-alcoholic)

1-14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes (chili ready)

1/2 c. chili sauce

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions

In a large saucepan, brown turkey and onion over medium/high heat until turkey is no longer pink and onions are tender.

Add meat to slow cooker.

Stir in undrained beans, beer, undrained tomatoes, chili sauce, chili powder, Cajun seasoning and garlic salt.

Cook in slow cooker on low for 4 hours.

CHEF'S NOTES:

If you are in a hurry, you can add the ingredients to a Dutch oven, cover and cook on stovetop over medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Flavors will not develop as fully, but dinner is done much quicker!

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE FRENCH TOAST

This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 95), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "If raspberries are not available, you can substitute blueberries. Note: You must start this dish one day ahead." Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/raspberry-cream-cheese-french-toast/.

Ingredients

French Toast

12 slices bread, preferably raisin bread

4 oz. low-fat cream cheese

2 large eggs

2 cups low-fat milk

1/4 cup maple syrup

8 oz. raspberries

Raspberry sauce

1 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch

8 oz. raspberries

Preparation

To make French Toast: Grease 9×13-inch baking dish. Place 6 slices bread evenly on bottom of pan, and dot with half of cream cheese. Layer remaining 6 slices on top, and dot with remaining cream cheese.

Whisk together eggs, milk, syrup and raspberries in mixing bowl. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover baking dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Bake bread 1/2 hour covered; remove foil, and bake 30 minutes more, or until bread begins to puff up and brown.

To make Raspberry Sauce: Combine sugar, cornstarch and 1 cup water in saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 3 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk in raspberries, and cook 3 minutes more, or until sauce has thickened again. Serve French Toast with Raspberry Sauce.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Breakfast

When I was growing up, most of the parents in our neighborhood were paid on Friday, which meant that many parents (predominantly moms) would try to get rid of the last of the left-overs from the previous week. Pay checks meant then going to the grocery store for the week, something that was frequently a family trip, of sorts.

One of our neighbors, whose older two kids I was friends with, would frequenly place boxes of cereal and a gallon of milk on the table on Thursday evenings with the understanding that those open boxes should be finished off. Sometimes, dinner would also include pancakes, french toast, or a variety of breakfast foods.

"Why can't we have breakfast for dinner?" I'd ask my mom. This was especially heart-felt if Mom was fixing liver and onions for dinner, something I never quite enjoyed. (I still don't.)

But, no...dinner was not a time for breakfast foods, in our house.

When I got older, though, I was able to change that just a little, at least in my house. To that end, here are six yummy breakfast recipes to fix for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, including Red Berry Baked Oats, Cocoa Pancakes, and Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast. Enjoy!

BREAKFAST BURRITOS [VEGAN]

This is from Robin Browne on One Green Planet, and begins, "If you're looking for a hearty, protein-packed, and filling dish, you gotta try these vegan breakfast burritos. Use your favorite gluten-free tortillas and load them up with roasted garlicky potatoes, cheezy tofu, avocado lime crema, and your go-to salsa! These vegan burritos are bound to bring a smile to anyone's face."

One Green Planet is a great website that is earth-friendly, animal-friendly, and (yes) people-friendly. I highly recommend the site. Give it a look…

For this recipe, Cooking Time is 40 minutes; Serves 4

To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/breakfast-burritos-vegan/.

Ingredients

For the Roasted Potatoes:

4 cups cubed potatoes (roughly 1" cubes)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons oil

salt and pepper to taste

For the Tofu Scramble:

7 ounces extra firm tofu

2 teaspoons oil of choice

2 cloves of garlic

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

1/2 lemon juiced

salt and pepper

2 sprigs of green onion

For the Avocado Lime Creme:

1 ripe avocado

1 lime, juiced (1 1/2 Tbsp juice)

1 garlic clove

Other

4 large tortilla wraps

salsa of choice

Prepartion

Preheat the oven to 425ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cut 2-3 medium potatoes (I used Russet) into small cubes and then toss them in the oil, garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy.

While the potatoes are baking start on the tofu. I suggest pressing the tofu for a few minutes to remove the excess water. Wrap the tofu in a towel and place a heavy object on it for a few minutes. Then heat a pan over medium heat and add the oil to it.

Crumble the tofu in the pan, and further break it down using a spatula. Add in the garlic, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Mix. Cook for 10 minutes or so. Toss in the green onion and set aside.

Prepare the avocado lime creme by adding the avocado, lime juice and garlic to a food processor, process until smooth. Set aside.

Begin to assemble the breakfast wraps once the potatoes are done.

It's best to heat each tortilla in the microwave for 15 seconds to soften them so that rolling the tortillas is easier and they are less likely to crack.

Add potatoes, tofu, avocado-lime creme and salsa to each wrap. You should easily have enough for 4 wraps and some potatoes left behind (but these are perfect on the side).

All these ingredients can be stored in containers in the fridge for leftovers. I suggest reheating before eating.

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE FRENCH TOAST

This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 95), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "If raspberries are not available, you can substitute blueberries. Note: You must start this dish one day ahead." Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/raspberry-cream-cheese-french-toast/.

Ingredients

French Toast

12 slices bread, preferably raisin bread

4 oz. low-fat cream cheese

2 large eggs

2 cups low-fat milk

1/4 cup maple syrup

8 oz. raspberries

Raspberry sauce

1 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch

8 oz. raspberries

Preparation

To make French Toast: Grease 9×13-inch baking dish. Place 6 slices bread evenly on bottom of pan, and dot with half of cream cheese. Layer remaining 6 slices on top, and dot with remaining cream cheese.

Whisk together eggs, milk, syrup and raspberries in mixing bowl. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover baking dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Bake bread 1/2 hour covered; remove foil, and bake 30 minutes more, or until bread begins to puff up and brown.

To make Raspberry Sauce: Combine sugar, cornstarch and 1 cup water in saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 3 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk in raspberries, and cook 3 minutes more, or until sauce has thickened again. Serve French Toast with Raspberry Sauce.

COCOA PANCAKES

This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 95), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "Not only does Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI feature hearty vegetarian breakfasts (and bedside cordials in the evening), but the owners try to meet any special dietary needs, especially those of vegans. Their vegan cocoa pancakes are among the recipes most requested by vegan and nonvegan visitors. This recipe makes 18 to 20 pancakes—and they can be prepared in just 30 minutes or less!" Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/cocoa-pancakes/.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 Tbs. granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups chocolate soymilk

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup carob chips

Preparation

Sift flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into mixing bowl. Whisk in chocolate soymilk and oil until just combined. Stir in vanilla extract. Let batter sit 5 minutes before cooking.

Spray large nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray, and heat over medium heat. When hot, ladle on 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Sprinkle pancakes with several carob chips. Cook 2 minutes, and turn when tops begin to bubble and edges start to look dry. Cook 2 minutes more, and remove to plate. Serve with maple syrup or vanilla soy yogurt and fresh fruit.

CARAMELIZED BANANA NUT OATMEAL

This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD at VeryWellFit. She is also a food blogger and recipe developer at Lively Table. Check it out!

For this recipe, Kaleigh wrote, " Adding more whole grains to your meals is a great way to improve your diet. Not only are whole grains proven to lower the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol, but they've also been shown to help with weight loss and lower blood pressure."

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 1

To view this online, as well as the rest of what Kaleigh wrote for this recipe, go to https://www.verywellfit.com/caramelized-banana-nut-oatmeal-recipe-4126741.

Ingredients

1 cup water

1/2 cup rolled oats

olive oil spray

1/2 medium banana, sliced

1 tablespoon walnut pieces

1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, depending on taste

Preparation

In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in oats and reduce heat to low. Simmer until oats are cooked, 3 to 5 minutes.

While oats are cooking, spray a small non-stick skillet with olive oil. Add sliced bananas in a single layer and cook over medium heat until caramelized, about 3 minutes per side.

Spoon oatmeal into a bowl and top with caramelized bananas and walnuts. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

You can use any kind of nuts, or leave them out, but keep in mind that walnuts provide heart-healthy omega-3s.

This recipe will also work with steel cut or quick-cooking oats, but stay away from instant oats, as they usually contain added sodium.

Cooking and Serving Tips

To make this recipe even easier, cook up a batch of oatmeal on a Sunday to keep in the refrigerator. That way it is already cooked and ready to go in the morning—you just have to add the bananas!

To increase the protein in this recipe, cook the oats in skim milk or soy milk instead of water, or add a dollop of Greek yogurt to the finished recipe.

RED BERRY BAKED OATS

This is from Weight Watchers, and begins, "These morning treats are completely different from traditional baked oats. Because you blend the batter, the oats end up being ground into a fine “flour,” so the finished dish has the texture of a moist, creamy cake instead of oatmeal—and you still get the whole-grain benefits of oats in every bite. We use a combination of raspberries and strawberries, but you can use all of one or the other if you’d like. These bake in 6-ounce ramekins; if you don’t have those, you can bake in a muffin pan (you’ll probably get 8 or 10) and reduce the cook time to about 15 minutes."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Serves: 6; Difficulty: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/recipe/red-berry-baked-oats/608b0ef40db90e5f982bc6ee.

Ingredients

6 sprays cookin spray

2 cups uncooked old fashioned oats, or quick-cooking oats

2 Tbsp maple syrup

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp table salt

4 medium bananas, ripe

4 large eggs

1 cup strawberries, raw, sliced

1 cup fresh raspberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a blender, place oats, syrup, baking powder, vanilla, salt, bananas, and eggs. Blend on high speed until smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Let stand until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Stir berries into batter (do not blend). Lightly coat 6 (6-oz) ramekins with cooking spray; arrange ramekins on a sheet pan. Divide batter evenly among ramekins. Bake at 350°F until set and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Serve warm.

Serving size: 1 ramekin

TEX-MEX QUINOA BREAKFAST BAKE

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Put a superfood spin on weekend brunch! We’ve skipped the bread and replaced it with quinoa for a hearty, filling upgrade to a standard strata. This new take on breakfast bake packs protein and complex carbs to help you power through your day."

Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Makes 12 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/tex-mex-quinoa-breakfast-bake.

Ingredients

2 cups Progresso™ reduced sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)

1 cup uncooked white quinoa, rinsed, drained

2 tablespoons Old El Paso™ original taco seasoning mix (from 1-oz package)

2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)

1 lb bulk chorizo sausage

1 medium red bell pepper, chopped

1 cup chopped onions

1/2 cup milk

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles

8 eggs, slightly beaten

1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Sour cream, as desired

Lime wedges, as desired

Preparation

Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. In 2-quart saucepan, mix broth, quinoa and 1 tablespoon of the taco seasoning mix; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 14 to 16 minutes or until broth is absorbed and quinoa is soft and translucent. Remove from heat; stir in 1 cup of the Mexican cheese blend. Spread evenly in baking dish.

Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook sausage, bell pepper and onions 8 to 10 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften and begin to brown and sausage is no longer pink; drain. Return to skillet; stir in milk, green chiles and remaining 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat; simmer 2 to 3 minutes or until thickened. Pour mixture over quinoa mixture in baking dish.

In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk. Stir in remaining 1 cup Mexican cheese blend. Pour evenly over sausage mixture in baking dish.

Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with queso fresco cheese and cilantro. Serve with sour cream and lime wedges.

Expert Tips

Can’t find raw chorizo? Bulk breakfast sausage makes a fine substitute.

Cilantro stems are tender and taste just like the leaves. To save time, chop the tops straight from the bunch of cilantro instead of picking off the leaves first.

Nutrition: 1 Serving: Calories 370 (Calories from Fat 230); Total Fat 25g (Saturated Fat 11g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 180mg; Sodium 800mg; Total Carbohydrate 14g (Dietary Fiber 1g, Sugars 4g); Protein 21g

% Daily Value: Vitamin A 15%; Vitamin C 15%; Calcium 20%; Iron 10%

Exchanges: 1 Starch, 2 1/2 High-Fat Meat, 1 Fat

Carbohydrate Choices: 1

Thursday, July 15, 2021

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 Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast and Breakfast Burritos. Enjoy!

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.

Nutrition: 6 servings (2 tacos each); 1 Serving: Calories: 310 (Calories from Fat: 190); Total Fat: 21 g (Saturated Fat: 8 g, Trans Fat: 0 g); Cholesterol: 210 mg; Sodium: 550 mg; Total Carbohydrate: 18 g (Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 2 g); Protein: 10 g

% Daily Value: Vitamin A 10%; Vitamin C 4%; Calcium 15%; Iron 10%

Exchanges: 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1 Medium-Fat Meat, 1/2 High-Fat Meat, 2 1/2 Fat

Carbohydrate Choice: 1

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

This is from American Heart Association, and begins, “These no-added-sugar muffins make for an easy snack on the go. Soccer practice? Walk in the park? Whatever has you on the move, simply wrap a piece of waxed paper around a muffin and take it with you.”

To view this online, go to https://recipes.heart.org/en/recipes/blueberry-muffins

Ingredients

Cooking spray

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon stevia sweetener

OR

2 stevia sweetener packets

1/2 cup corn oil

OR

1/2 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 cup fat-free, plain yogurt

1 cup blueberries (fresh, or, frozen)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the stevia sweetener, oil, vanilla, egg, and yogurt. Add the dry ingredients. Stir together until the mixture is just moistened but no flour is visible. Gently fold in the blueberries, reserving 24 to 36 blueberries to garnish the tops.

Spoon the batter into the muffin cups. Using the reserved blueberries, sprinkle 2 or 3 berries on top of each muffin.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Transfer the pan to a cooling rack. Let cool completely.

MEXICAN BREAKFAST BURRITOS

This is from Weight Watchers, and begins, "Breakfast burritos are worth waking up for, and this one brings a mix of Mexican flavors in a hearty and portable package. These are wrapped individually in foil so they’re warm and ready to go, no matter the size of your crowd. The scrambled eggs get a flavor boost thanks to cumin and cayenne. You can make these burritos ahead and refrigerate them to have them ready to go for breakfast for the next couple of days. Just unwrap them and reheat them in the microwave or in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Replace the sour cream with diced avocado tossed in lime juice, if you like."

Prep Time: 14 minutes; Cook Time: 34 minutes; Total Time: 49 minutes; Serves: 6; Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

6 Tbsp Reduced-fat sour cream

6 Tbsp Fat free salsa

2 sprays Cooking spray

1/2 medium uncooked onion, chopped

1 medium Poblano chile, chopped

8 eggs

3/4 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp Ground cumin

1 pinch Cayenne pepper

6 medium Whole-wheat tortillas

3/4 cup Weight Watchers Reduced fat Mexican style shredded cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a small bowl, combine sour cream and salsa; set aside.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; set over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepper to skillet and sauté until slightly softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together eggs, salt, cumin, and cayenne; pour into skillet after vegetables are softened. Scramble mixture until cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes.

Place a tortilla on a square of aluminum foil big enough to wrap tortilla in when rolled up; spoon about 1/2 cup egg mixture down center of tortilla. Top with 2 tablespoons each salsa mixture and cheese; fold up burrito-style and wrap tightly with foil. Place on a baking sheet and repeat with remaining ingredients. Bake until heated through, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Yields 1 burrito per serving.

BREAKFAST BURRITOS

This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 94), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "This is the inn’s most popular breakfast item, and it’s a very versatile recipe—sturdy enough for dinner too. Use whatever vegetables are seasonal and abundant. Serve with salsa and sour cream. Note: You must start this dish one day ahead of serving." Makes 6 servings

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

Ingredients

2 tsp. olive oil

1/2 medium-sized onion, sliced

1 red bell pepper, cut lengthwise into 2-inch-thick slices

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach

2 Tbs. fresh dill

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 3/4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

6 8-inch flour tortillas

4 large eggs, beaten

2 cups skim milk

1 Tbs. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. mustard powder

Preparation

Grease 9×13-inch baking dish.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and pepper 5 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic, and cook 2 minutes more. Stir in spinach, dill, salt and pepper; cover and cook 5 minutes, or until spinach has completely thawed. Season with pepper sauce, if desired, and stir in 3/4 cup shredded cheese.

Spoon 1/3 cup of spinach/veggie mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll tortilla tightly, and place seam side down in baking dish. Whisk together eggs, milk, flour and mustard powder, and pour over tortillas. Cover dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Bake burritos 45 minutes, or until eggs are set. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese, and bake 5 minutes more, or until cheese has melted and begins to brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving with salsa and sour cream.

BROCCOLI FRITTATA

Yield: 4 Servings

View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/692.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 cup non-fat cottage cheese

1/2 tsp dried dill

2 cup fat-free egg substitute

2 cups frozen chopped broccoli

1 tsp olive oil

2 tsp margarine

1 large onion, diced

Directions

Mix cottage cheese and egg substitute together; set aside.

In large non-stick frying pan over medium heat, saute onions in oil for 5 minutes, or until soft.

Add broccoli and dill; saute for 5 minutes, or until broccoli mixture softens. Set vegetable aside.

Wipe out frying pan. Add 1 tsp. margarine and swirl the pan to distribute it. Add half of the vegetable mixture, and then add half of the egg mixture; lift and rotate pan so that eggs are evenly distributed.

As eggs set around the edges, lift them to allow uncooked portions to flow underneath. Turn heat to low, cover the pan, and cook until top is set.

Invert onto a serving plate and cut into wedges.

Repeat with remaining 1 tsp. margarine, vegetable mixture, and egg mixture.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 150; Calories from Fat: 30; Protein: 19 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 390 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable; 2 Meat; 1 Fat

RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE FRENCH TOAST

This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 95), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "If raspberries are not available, you can substitute blueberries. Note: You must start this dish one day ahead." Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/raspberry-cream-cheese-french-toast/.

Ingredients

French Toast

12 slices bread, preferably raisin bread

4 oz. low-fat cream cheese

2 large eggs

2 cups low-fat milk

1/4 cup maple syrup

8 oz. raspberries

Raspberry sauce

1 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch

8 oz. raspberries

Preparation

To make French Toast: Grease 9×13-inch baking dish. Place 6 slices bread evenly on bottom of pan, and dot with half of cream cheese. Layer remaining 6 slices on top, and dot with remaining cream cheese.

Whisk together eggs, milk, syrup and raspberries in mixing bowl. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover baking dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Bake bread 1/2 hour covered; remove foil, and bake 30 minutes more, or until bread begins to puff up and brown.

To make Raspberry Sauce: Combine sugar, cornstarch and 1 cup water in saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 3 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk in raspberries, and cook 3 minutes more, or until sauce has thickened again. Serve French Toast with Raspberry Sauce.