Category Archives: Breakfast

Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Granola

This is my second attempt at homemade granola. The first recipe I tried was fantastic! I loved it, but I ate it all and wanted to try a new recipe, so I gave this one a whirl. This one is great too, but has a whole different taste than the first recipe I made. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup coconut flakes, unsweeteend
3 tablespoons flax seeds
1/4 cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup mixed nuts, chopped (I used almonds)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups mixed dried fruit (I used raisins)

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the dried fruit. Stir well to incorporate.

Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out into an even layer. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the depth of goldenness you’re looking for), stirring every 10 minutes.

Remove the granola from the oven and and cool completely, in its pan, on a wire wrack. Once the granola is cool, mix in the dried fruit.

Did I change anything? This recipe called for sesame seeds which I left out because I didn’t have any. I also didn’t put in as much fruit…I don’t like my granola to be too fruity. I put in about 3/4 cup raisins.

What did the family think? I had a bowl of it with some milk last night and loved it. I think it would also be good mixed in with some yogurt. Our youngest also had some last night. Surprisingly, he liked it, too.

Where did this recipe come from? Our Kitchen Sink

Photo by Me

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Make Ahead of Time, Vegetarian

Blueberry Smoothie

MommaCooks it starting to turn into the the smoothie/breakfast blog…we’ve been making a lot of smoothies around here this week. The boys had this one for a before bed snack last night and for breakfast this morning.

Ingredients:
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 single-serving containers yogurt (we used blueberry one time and orange passion fruit the next)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup oatmeal

Instructions:
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

What did the family think? Yum. (Except for all the blueberry pieces that got stuck in their teeth.)

Where did this recipe come from? The boys wanted smoothies and the cupboard was getting bare. I threw in the oatmeal because Jaime Oliver has a smoothie recipe that includes oatmeal.

photo from CCRecipe

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

I have been working on finding some new, relatively quick and healthy breakfast recipes this past week since the school year will be starting in less than two weeks. It’s also important that they have some protein in them to keep my oldest’s belly full since I am pretty sure that he will be eating lunch pretty late this year. This recipe meets all of those criteria!

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons jelly/jam/preserves (we used blueberry)
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 banana, sliced
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons wheat germ (if you have it)

Instructions:
Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth.

What did the family think? Three of us tried it and we all liked it. My kids love PB & J so it was fun to be able to drink one and call it breakfast.

Where did this recipe come from? A local restaurant has these on their menu, so I have been wanting to make one at home for a while. I found this recipe on allrecipes.com.

photo from The Feeding Family

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Fruity Peanut Butter Breakfast Sushi

My oldest loves banana dogs and this is similar to that, but with a twist because you can call it sushi. 🙂 Your kids will love saying they’re having sushi for breakfast. This is also great because they’re getting fruit, grains and a protein all rolled into one tasty dish.

Ingredients:
1 slice of bread (crusts removed)
Peanut butter
1 banana (and some strawberries too if you have them)

Instructions:
Spread peanut butter on bread.

Place banana and thinly-sliced berries at one end of the bread.

Starting with the fruit side, roll into a tube, pressing gently.

Cut into about four pieces California Roll style.

What did the family think? Our oldest had this for breakfast yesterday with a fruity breakfast smoothie. He was a little skeptical at first, but it turned out he loved it.

Where did this recipe come from? Parents Magazine, November 2006, page 189

Photo by me

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Six Ingredients or Less, Super Easy to Make, Vegetarian

Fruity Breakfast Smoothie

There is not an exact science as to how we make these, but they are pretty popular around here. Sometimes we have them with breakfast and sometimes they are just a healthy snack. Last night we had them for dessert.

Ingredients:
1 banana (about a 1/2 cup)
6 oz yogurt (your favorite flavor, we usually use strawberry or blueberry)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup orange juice

Instructions:
Put all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.

What did the family think? I like these and so does our oldest. They are too fruity for my hubby and our youngest does like these, but usually opts for something else for breakfast instead.

Where did recipe come from? Me

Smoothie with Breakfast Sushi…that recipe’s coming tomorrow!
Photo by Me

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Crustless Quiche

The crust of a quiche is the most difficult part for me to make and the most time consuming, so when I saw this recipe I just had to try it out.

Ingredients:
Cooking spray
1 1/2 tablespoons fine dry plain bread crumbs
1 cup frozen chopped onions
1 cup diced cooked ham (1/4 pound)
1 (8-ounce) package shredded Swiss cheese (2 cups)
4 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°F with rack in middle.

Spray quiche dish with cooking spray, then sprinkle all over with bread crumbs.

Spray a skillet with cooking spray and cook onions with ham over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, about 5 minutes. Spread in baking dish, then evenly sprinkle cheese on top.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, cream and milk and pour over cheese. Bake until top is golden and custard is set in center, 20 to 25 minutes.

Cool slightly before cutting into wedges.

We had this with a salad, some strawberries and some homemade biscuits.

Did I change anything? I used more breadcrumbs. I just sprinkled enough to cover the bottom of the pie plate. I also used bacon instead of ham.

What did the family think? Hubby and I really liked it and it made our house smell wonderful. Our boys aren’t huge bacon fans, but our oldest did eat some.

Where did this recipe come from? Epicurious.com

photo from Epicurious.com

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Super Easy Whole Wheat Biscuits

These biscuits come out buttery and a little crispy. They are so good and so easy and are a good addition to breakfast (think biscuits with butter and honey/jelly) or dinner.

Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup cold unsalted butter
1 cup milk (any kind)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a medium sized bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well with whisk or fork.

Cut the 1/2 stick butter into little pea sized pieces and then mix the pieces into the flour mixture. Using a fork, try to mash the butter pieces as you mix it together with the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. It is okay if the outcome just looks like the same pea sized pieces of butter covered with flour.

Then pour in the milk and mix it all together. Knead the dough with your hands 8 to 10 times and then turn out onto a floured counter or cutting board. Pat it out flat with your hands until the dough is a somewhat even 3/4-inch thickness.

Turn a drinking glass upside down and cut out biscuit rounds. Put them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 450 degrees for 10 – 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

We had this with roasted chicken, salad and watermelon.

What did the family think? What’s not to like about warm, buttery, crispy biscuits fresh out of the oven?

Where did this recipe come from? 100 Days of Real Food

photo from 100 Days of Real Food

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Filed under After School Snacks, Bread, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Easy, Everybody Ate It, Side Dish, Six Ingredients or Less, Vegetarian

Mrs. Mosser’s Famous Homemade Granola

Okay, so maybe it’s not famous, exactly, but it should be. I have been wanting to make homemade granola for a very long time, but just didn’t know where to start. So I was VERY excited when my friend, Kim, told me that her mom made an awesome granola AND that she was willing to share. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup wheat bran
1/2 cup oat bran
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dried milk
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup vegetable OR olive oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup raisins
Dash of cinnamon
Dash ground cloves
Dash nutmeg
Capful of vanilla

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients into a bowl (except the raisins) and pour into an oiled 9” X 13” baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes; stir; bake 15 minutes more. Remove from oven and stir in ½ cup of raisins.

Did I change anything? I couldn’t find any raw sunflower seeds, so I used pepitas instead.

What did the family think? I am the only one who’s had it so far, but I know my hubby will like it.

photo from Jenae Held

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Crepes

I am not going to lie. There was definitely a learning curve with these. The first two or three went straight into the sink. The next two were edible, but definitely didn’t look like a crepe, but the rest of them were beautiful and delicious.

Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup milk
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter, melted + extra for cooking

Instructions:
Put all ingredients in blender and mix well. Let stand about 15 minutes.

Melt and swirl around a small pat of butter in an 8 or 10-inch frying pan over medium heat.

Angle pan and pour enough batter on one side to thinly and evenly cover the pan. Very quickly swirl the batter around to cover the pan in one thin layer.

Immediately use your cooking spatula to push down the thin edges of the crepe around the perimeter.

After about 1 minute (and once it is golden brown on the bottom) carefully flip it over without tearing the crepe.

Fry for 1 more minute on the other side (until it is golden brown as well) and then roll up each crepe.

You could fill these with a zillion different things. We had them with butter and Crofter’s Blueberry Fruit Spread. Maple syrup or honey would also be good.

What did the family think? My oldest and I had these for breakfast and we loved them. Our youngest saved one for later. He wants to put Nutella in his, but I wouldn’t let him have Nutella for breakfast.

Where did this recipe come from? 100 Days of Real Food

Photo by Me

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Filed under After School Snacks, Breakfast, Definitely Making it Again, Desserts, Vegetarian

Pecan Maple Breakfast Cookies

The kids were a little surprised this morning when I offered them cookies for breakfast. These would also be good for a snack. (Remember, they have pecans in them, so probably not the best option to send to schools that don’t allow nuts/tree nuts.)

Ingredients:
1 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup applesauce
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter, softened but not melted
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease a cookie sheet.

Whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

In a separate bowl using an electric mixer beat the applesauce, maple syrup, butter, egg, and vanilla.

While beating the mixture on a low speed add the dry ingredients until well blended.

Fold in the nuts with a spatula.

Drop onto prepared cookie sheet with a spoon. Bake for 8 – 9 minutes or until they start to brown.

Did I change anything? There wasn’t any cinnamon in the original recipe.

What did the family think? My oldest gobbled his down this morning. I had some for a snack last night. We both thought they were great. However, if you are looking for a sweet dessert-tasting cookie this is not the cookie for you.

Where did this recipe come from? 100 Days of Real Food

Photo from 100 Days of Real Food

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