Showing posts with label Breakfast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breakfast. Show all posts

French Toast - My way


I had a few requests for how I prepare French Toast after sharing a photo recently.  I figured most folks already know how to make French Toast, but, for those who wanted to know how I prepare it, I'm happy to share with them my recipe and how I go about it!  



I enjoy french toast, and often forget how good it is when I haven't had or made it in a while.  I find it's best when I use thick-cut texas toast style bread.  It makes all the difference if you ask me! 





While living in England I learned through friends we met there that they call French toast - "Gypsy toast," and they don't put syrup on it.   What?  I couldn't image not having syrup!  They thought it was yucky that we put syrup on ours.

I must have maple syrup and of course some butter, and a little sprinkle of powdered sugar.   If you've got a hungry-man make him three slices.  Although, one to two are more than enough, especially if there is going to be some bacon, ham, or sausage to go along with your french toast!




I make an egg mixture to dip the bread slices into one at a time, letting them soak up some of the mixture while turning the slices over a couple of times.  I then place each dipped bread slice aside until all slices have been dipped in the egg mixture.

I tend to use more eggs when preparing my french toast as to have plenty of mixture to dip the bread slices into, and because I use thick slices of bread.  I like for the bread slices to get ample amounts of the 'egg mixture' because this is where a lot of the flavor comes from via the added flavors in it. 






I have the perfect non-stick griddle for cooking my french toast.  This covers two of the burners on my stove and works well.  I use a little spray oil on the griddle first, then cook the dipped bread slices over medium heat, turning occasionally until nice and golden brown.  If you want, butter can be used instead of the spray oil, because "what's not to love about that?"...just be sure not to turn the heat up too high!

When ready, I cut each slice on the diagonal, then top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving.  That's optional of course, I just like adding it for looks and a touch of added sweetness.  Everyone gets to add the amount of butter-or not and syrup that they want, then all are happy.  Mmmm ...French Toast for breakfast!





French Toast 



Ingredients:
6 slices of thick-cut texas toast style bread
5 Eggs
1/2 cup milk, half & half or heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
cooking spray/oil for pan or griddle, or 2 tablespoons of butter


Directions:
In a medium sized bowl add eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, whisk together until well blended.  Heat large skillet or griddle over medium heat.  Pour egg mixture into a shallow bowl or pie pan wide enough to place in a slice of bread.  Dip each slice into the egg mixture, turn over allowing the bread to soak in some of the mixture.  Place the slice aside on a plate or sheet pan then continue until all slices have been dipped and set aside.  Use spray oil or melt butter on heated skillet/griddle then place dipped slices on to cook until golden brown, then flip and cook other side until golden brown.  Cut each piece on the diagonal, sprinkle with powdered sugar(optional), serve with butter and syrup. 




Enjoy!...






For the love of Bacon


Hey bacon lovers! ...and who doesn't love bacon, huh?  If you haven't heard of this amazing idea you'll be surprised by how simple it is.  And, it just might change the way you prepare bacon from now on after you give it a try.  Bake your bacon.  Yes, bake bacon in the oven instead of cooking it in a pan on the stove top.  It's less-mess, the bacon will cook more evenly, and you don't need to stand over it, turning it and being splattered with bacon grease.




Thanks to Martha Stewart and marthastewart.com for this awesome tip.  Whether you like her, love her, or neither of those-(gasp!), she was one of the firsts sharing all things home.  Good things, that is, cause she always let us know..."it's a good thing!"  There is a reason she is still as popular as ever.  She knows her stuff, and has been sharing it with us for years.  Thanks Martha!

This sure is 'a good thing', and I certainly wanted you to know all about this good thing if you didn't!  Now ...Let's get busy and make some bacon!





Baked Bacon

For one pound of Bacon:
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line rimmed baking sheet(s) with aluminium foil, lay each bacon piece flat and do not overlap.  Bake until crisp and browned approximately 15 to 18 minutes or until desired doneness, rotate the sheet(s) once during cooking process.  Transfer the strips to paper towel to drain.  Blot excess grease from top of bacon if necessary or desired.  Thicker bacon will require longer time to cook.

Optional suggestions:  Use parchment paper to line pan.  Sprinkle brown sugar on bacon strips for added sweetness.  Sprinkle black pepper on bacon strips for peppered bacon.  Lightly drizzle on maple syrup for maple flavored bacon. 


Note:
-The first time I cooked the bacon in the oven for 20-22 minutes. I *drained the bacon grease from the pan after baking, and then added a few remaining uncooked pieces to the previously used foil lined pan. The bacon was crispier then the first batch at 20 minutes time. *(I used a glass pyrex bowl to drain the grease into since it was very hot!)

-The next time I prepared bacon, I used the same type and thickness, but drained the grease after 10 minutes then turned the pan and finished for additional 10 minutes.  The bacon was nice an crisp.


And, this is one of my favorite ways to enjoy bacon...

The BLT!  Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich! ...mmm, hmm.




Here's something else I came across for cooking bacon, you might want to check out this gadget for cooking bacon in the microwave.
 http://www.makinbacon.com/about.php



I much prefer baking bacon now, and it really is so much easier and less messy than cooking it on the stove top!  I feel like I've been doing it wrong all these years!



It's a whole new way of makin' bacon, or bakin' bacon!



Enjoy...





My Favorite Fruit Smoothie

We've all heard it before, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"  Although when it comes to making breakfast for myself, I can admit to being lazy all too often and skipping it.  I know, I know, but I have learned and do realize this is not a healthy way to start my day.  That it won't give me the metabolism boost I desire, especially when trying to lose extra pounds, and I certainly want to get my metabolism revved up for the day if it helps me do that!

I started to see results after watching my diet more closely and including healthier choices, and eating a healthy breakfast.  I really do like having breakfast now, and actually look forward to it, plan for it, and enjoy it!  I don't go all wild, like a full on Uncle Herschel's breakfast everyday-(a favorite choice from Cracker Barrel), but I will have that once in a while as a reward, and because I believe that...deprivation is failure!

I'm choosing to start my day with a better balance of healthy choices now.  One of my favorite quick breakfasts has been a fruit smoothie.  It is quick, simple to make, delicious and very satisfying, also it fills me up and fuels me.  Smoothies have been popular for a while and I can see why!  There are many variations and ingredients that can be used so it's never boring.  I do have my favorites, but occasionally I'll experiment by trying something different and out of the ordinary.  If in a hurry in the morning, this is a great on-the-go take-along.  Kids love these too.  It's like having a milkshake for breakfast!






I'm sharing my favorite fruit smoothie recipe today...Strawberry-Banana!

I think it's great for breakfast or an afternoon snack, and I also make this for my lunch if I haven't had one at breakfast.  This is a basic recipe and can be changed by using different flavor combinations.  That's one of the great things about smoothies, the limitless options!

I tend to always have frozen bananas and strawberries on hand, I simply peel ripe bananas, half them and then place them in freezer bags, then freeze.  I remove the leaf tops from fresh, clean, dry strawberries then place those in separate freezer bags, then freeze.

This works well for most fresh fruits so I am always keeping an eye out for sales on fresh fruits so I can buy extras to freeze.  If you are looking for another great way to add more healthy greens to your diet, a handful of spinach is an added nutritional benefit too, and I can't taste that it's in there!(the color will change, but not the taste!  If the green smoothie appearance bothers you, just put it in a non see-thru cup!)

Juice can be used for the liquid in this recipe if you like.  Typically I have used fat-free milk instead of juice, but I discovered almond milk recently and I've found that I love it!  I prefer using almond milk instead of juice for a creamer fruit smoothie, and the extra nutritional benefits of the almond milk.  I also use a protein powder for the added protein.  I like to add in a few ice cubes too.  I just throw all the ingredients into my Ninja blender and mix until well blended....pour it up and then enjoy!



~ My Favorite Fruit Smoothie ~

Strawberry-Banana Fruit Smoothie


Ingredients:
1 cup almond milk, or fat-free/low fat milk, or juice- orange or pineapple
1/2 to 1 scoop of protein powder
1 frozen banana - in pieces
2 large or 3 small frozen strawberries
1/2 cup ice cubes - more can be added for addition thickness
Optionals-
1/4 cup almonds
1/2 to 1 cup fresh spinach
1 to 2 packets of sweetener(I use Stevia) if sweeter is desired


Directions:
Place all ingredients in blender.  Blend well.  Serve. 
Makes about 16 ounces




Sip-Sip & Enjoy!...





Mini Crust-less Quiches


In my pursuit of something different for breakfast I was considering making an omelet, then I started thinking about quiches.  I remembered having a delicious quiche at a baby shower some time ago, but neglected to obtain the actual recipe from the hostess.  That particular quiche she said she had made with sausage, onion, several different cheeses, and heavy cream as I recall, also it had a nice pie crust.  Probably had a lot of calories too!      

My preference was to make a lighter version, a quiche that would taste great and just maybe leave me feeling less guilty after eating it.  First I went looking for what I had on hand.  I decided on a crust-less quiche since the crust is not really necessary and is extra calories.  I also decided to make mini quiches as that would be small individual servings.  I had eggs, bacon, a bag of shredded cheese, and an onion.  I would have used greens such as broccoli or spinach, since either one of those would be good and a healthy addition had I had them.  Oh well, next time!  I now have plans for making different combinations of these mini quiches in mind, and can't wait to give those a try.  




Just as I was about to dice up some of the onion I recalled having some French's-french fried onions, and that sounded even better!  I used eggs, crispy bacon pieces, a four cheese blend of shredded cheeses and a bit of crumbled French's-french fried onions for my mini quiches, and they were delicious and light with only those few ingredients.  So simple and easy to prepare, and didn't take a great deal of time to cook.  The Mister liked them too, and that is always a good thing!

As mentioned, there are endless possibilities for making these mini quiches.  The recipe is adaptable using different ingredients, cheeses and seasonings, and a little imagination.  These could also be made using egg substitute if you prefer that to real eggs. Mini quiches would be a great on-the-ready breakfast for house-guests and are perfect for serving for a brunch.  I believe the mini quiches would freeze well and could be re-heated for a quick on-the-go breakfast too!   


       
Mini Quiches



Ingredients:
Makes 6 Mini Quiches -or- Double ingredients for 12 Mini Quiches

4 large eggs
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled into small pieces
3 tbsp French's french fried onions, crumbled into small pieces
1/2 cup shredded cheese
non-stick cooking spray


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.  In a mixing bowl beat eggs and set aside.  Prepare muffin pan using non-stick cooking spray.  Sprinkle equal amounts of the cooked crumbled bacon into each muffin cup, then equal amounts of the french fried onion crumbles.  Carefully spoon the beaten eggs equally into each muffin cup.  Sprinkle cheese on top of each.  Bake for 20 minutes or until puffed and fork inserted in center comes out clean.  Let stand for a few minutes then run knife around edges to loosen. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.




Egg-cellent!...




Chocolate Crescent Rolls


Warm melted chocolate inside a fresh baked crescent roll.  What's not to love about that?  Add a drizzle of melted chocolate to the top after baking and even better!
A special treat for the chocolate lover in me, and you!  These Chocolate Crescent Rolls are one of my favorite goodies to make for my family, as well as for myself too, of course.  These tasty goodies are nice for breakfast, for dessert, or anytime.  And everyone will love them!  

These Chocolate Crescent Rolls remind me of a morning spent in Paris, France, where we woke to delicious fresh baked pastries and chocolate croissants, along with fresh strawberries and coffee.  After having those I knew I would want to have them again, and again, so I figured I could try to relive that tasty experience thanks to a can of crescent rolls and some chocolate chips.  I've been making these ever since. 



Ingredients:
  • 1  can-8oz. refrigerated Crescent Rolls - (8 per can usually, at least two crescents per person)
  • 6oz. or half a 12oz. pkg of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips or Milk Chocolate if preferred


Directions:
Open can of crescents and separate dough into 8 triangles.  At large end of triangle place 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips, fold up corners to make a pocket for the chocolate chips, then roll gently towards the opposite point.  Bake according to package directions on crescent roll can until golden brown.  

Meanwhile melt 2 tablespoons chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl for approximately 1 to 2 mins, remove then add 1/2 to1 teaspoon vegetable oil to the melted chocolate and stir vigorously.  Drizzle the melted chocolate over baked crescents after they have cooled slightly.  Allow the crescents to cool before eating because the chocolate inside will be very hot.  Serve warm.    


Separate and unroll crescents.



Place chocolate chips at large end of crescents.



Fold up corners to form a pocket.



Roll gently towards thin end to form crescent shape.



Bake according to package directions on crescent roll can until golden brown.



After baking allow to cool, chocolate inside will be very hot!



May serve warm with or without chocolate drizzle on top.



My preference is always more chocolate!




Ready to eat and enjoy!








Scrambled Egg Breakfast Burrito


Eggs are versatile and easy to prepare.  A popular breakfast food.  It seems one day eggs are declared healthy and good for you, and then on another they are not.  I like eggs myself, and I eat them often.  I buy the Eggland's Best Eggs, because I think they taste and are the best!  One of my morning favorites is the scrambled egg breakfast burrito.  Simple, quick and so easy to prepare.  I change it up with different add-in ingredients, or simply with only cheese and scrambled eggs.  I like adding cooked slices of bacon or I often use the Oscar Meyer Real Bacon Bits, leftover sauteed peppers and onions, mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes.  

My go to simple favorite is, two scrambled eggs, a sprinkle of real bacon bits, a slice of pepper jack cheese, and a few halved grape tomatoes. There are several different ways to "make it your way!"  I like making mine quickly using my microwave.



Scrambled Egg Breakfast Burrito

Ingredients:
1 or 2 eggs
1/4 cup shredded cheese of choice or cheese slice-halved
1 flour tortilla (8-10 inch)
Optional ingredients: cooked bacon slices or packaged bacon bits, vegetables: mushroom, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, spinach etc.

Directions:
Break eggs into a medium sized microwavable bowl.  Beat eggs gently and set aside.  Place cheese in center of a tortilla, and spread it out length wise down the center, or place halved pieces of sliced cheese end to end and down the middle.  Warm tortilla on a paper towel or microwave paper-plate for 15-30 seconds in microwave, this will also melt the cheese, remove and set aside.  Place bowl of beaten eggs in microwave, one egg will usually take 1 minute, 2 eggs will take 1 and 1/2 or 2 minutes.  The eggs will rise up as they cook.  Remove eggs and chop through them and they will be shrinking down, then add to the tortilla length wise down the middle on top of the cheese.  Optional ingredients can be added on top of the scrambled eggs and then roll up like a burrito, or add optional ingredients before you warm the tortilla and melt the cheese.  Of course if you prefer not to cook your scrambled eggs in the microwave, use a pan to cook and scramble them instead.



Enjoy!...




French Toast - Stuffed with Nutella and Banana




If you like french toast, as I sure do, you may enjoy this take on it.  I like trying new ways to prepare it. I have mostly in the past just experimented with using different types of bread to make it, and a few flavorings-cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla.  Hey my Sis even encouraged me to try black pepper on it once and I have to say (since I do like pepper...a lot) I was willing to give it a try and was surprised by the taste, and that I did indeed like it.  It was something different, and I like different sometimes!  


This is very good!... and why wouldn't it be?   It's Nutella!...One of my favorite things in life!
-An alternative to the Crepes with Nutella and Banana  for those that don't want to fuss with making crepes, this would be ideal!






French Toast Stuffed with Nutella and Bananas

Ingredients:  For 4 servings with two slices for each, or 2 servings with 4 slices each.
8 slices of white or wheat bread
Nutella
1 or 2 large bananas, sliced thin
4 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:
1. Spread Nutella on each slice of bread (per desired amount).
2. Layer sliced bananas on 4 of the bread slices.
3. Put all slices of bread together to make four Nutella and Banana sandwiches.
4. In a wide, shallow bowl beat together the eggs, milk, and cinnamon with a whisk or fork.
5. Coat a large pan with cooking spray and heat over medium-low heat.
6. Dip each sandwich in the egg mixture to lightly coat each side, shake off the excess egg and then place in heated pan. 
7. Cook until both sides are lightly browned and firm.
8. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. (if desired)
 Serve warm.  With butter and syrup (if desired)

(This would probably be good made with Strawberries and Nutella too!)

*Additionally, you could just prepare your French Toast as usual, and then spread on the Nutella, add the Banana slices and enjoy it that way, serve the slices individually, sandwich them, and/or stack 'em up too!


Yummy goodness! *licking my lips*



Labels: Nutella , Recipes

Crepes - Sweet or Savory


I went searching for crepes recipes after I had recently enjoyed some delicious crepes at a food festival.  After viewing several, I put a plan together for a recipe that was the easiest, and had the fewest ingredients.  I have used this recipe ever since for making crepes, they are delicious, and they also freeze well ...if you do have leftovers! 



Banana and Nutella Crepes

My favorite crepes to make are Banana and Nutella Crepes.  I used the sweet variation recipe below, and after cooking the crepe added about a tsp. of Nutella to spread over it, then added thin slices of Banana.  The crepe can be folded in half, rolled up like a burrito or fold over sides and then the ends to form a square shape. Drizzle more Nutella on the outside if you like and then sprinkle with powdered sugar....mmmmm these are very delicious!  Try this with Strawberries and Nutella, or Strawberries and Cream Cheese or other fruit filling.  Enjoy!













Crepes Recipe

2 large eggs
3/4 cup light cream
1/2 cup water
1 cup flour
3 Tablespoon butter, melted
butter to coat pan
*Sweet or Savory ingredients-see bottom of recipe.


  • In a bowl mix eggs, cool melted butter and *sweet or savory variation ingredients.

  • While whisking carefully, add 1/2 of the flour,  1/2 of the cream, 1/2 of the water, repeat till all ingredients have been added.

  • Place the crepe batter in the refrigerator for 1 hour. This will allow the bubbles to subside so the crepes will be less likely to tear during cooking. The batter will keep for up to 48 hours.

  • Heat a small non-stick pan. Add butter to coat pan. Pour 1 ounce of batter into the center of the pan and swirl to spread evenly. Cook for approximately 30 seconds and then carefully flip crepe. Cook for another 10 seconds and then remove to the cutting board. Stack crepes between sheets of parchment paper if not preparing immediately. Lay them out flat so they can cool. Continue until all batter is gone. After they have cooled you can stack them and store in seal able plastic bags in the refrigerator for several days, or store in the freezer for up to two months. When using frozen crepes, thaw on a rack before gently peeling apart.

*Savory Variation - Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the egg mixture

*Sweet Variation - Add 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla-extract, and (optional) 2 tablespoons of your favorite liqueur to the egg mixture.


It's up to your imagination what you can come up with for great crepes!




Additional links for Crepes recipes below:  I need to try these!




banana and chocolate mascarpone crepes




photo source
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Tammy is the design enthusiast behind the blog, Tips, Treats & Treasures, where her creativity is explored with a mixture of her artistic abilities and style through her home decorating, thrifty finds, DIY and creative craft projects, along with her family favorite recipes. She shares through her blog her ideas and helpful tips on everything she has learned over the years and much of which she is passionate about in the hope of inspiring others, with her own unique style storytelling.