Pancakes and Waffles

Filed under: BUDGET MEALS, RECIPES - Breakfast

A friend of mine and her family has a special weekly tradition. Every Monday night, everyone (friends and family) go to the Grandparents house for crapes and stories. Set up a pancake, waffle or crepe bar with your family’s favorite fruits and nuts. You could give each member a small bowl with pancake batter and let them choose what to mix in the batter. Or, after you have poured the batter on the skillet, let them sprinkle their favorite toppings. Banana and nuts, blueberries, strawberries, chocolate chips or try a sprinkle of cheese and bacon.

BASIC PANCAKES:
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 egg, room temperature
1 cup milk, warmed

Melt the butter in a small pan on low heat. In a bowl, using a wire whisk or sifter, sift in the flour, powder, salt and sugar. Add the eggs and half of the milk. Mix until it gets pasty. Add the rest of the milk and the butter. Beating until creamy. Pour onto heated griddle. Cook until tops are bubbly about 1-2 minutes. Flip and cook the other side about 1 minute.

Variations:
-Serve with syrup, yogurt and fruit, pumpkin butter and cream cheese, jam, fruit or nuts. Substitute all or part of the flour with white wheat flour. For a real treat add a teaspoon of juice from an orange.
-Replace part of the all purpose flour with whole wheat, oat flour or coconut flour.
-Add 1-2 tablespoons protein powder.
-Add 1-2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal or wheat germ.

WAFFLES:
2 cup flour
1 1/2 c buttermilk, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature, separated
2 tbsp sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 tbsp butter, melted

Sift flour, sugar, salt and powder. In another bowl beat egg yolks and milk. Slowly add flour. Beat until smooth. Mix in melted butter. Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into batter. Cook.

Variations:
-Serve with syrup, yogurt and fruit, cream cheese, jam and fruit.
-Make an egg sandwich.
-Substitute all or part of the flour with white wheat flour.

Technorati Tags: breakfast bar, family fun, food, fun family activities, pancake breakfast, pancakes, RECIPES, waffles

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Egg in the Middle Toast

Filed under: BUDGET MEALS, RECIPES - Breakfast

The first time I made this was on Valentine’s Day. I used a heart cookie cutter to cut out the center. My kids love it.

Bread
Cookie cutter in desired shape
Eggs
Butter

Butter a piece of bread. Use the cookie cutter to cut out the center of the piece of bread. Place bread on a grilling pan or skillet. Crack an egg and pour into center of bread. Cook until set then flip over.  I also cook the piece I cut out and give it to the kids with some jam on it.

Variations:
Place a slice of cheese on top before serving.

Technorati Tags: egg in the middle toast, fast easy recipes, kids meal ideas, RECIPES, RECIPES - Breakfast, sunny side toast

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Apple Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Filed under: RECIPES - Breakfast, RECIPES - Main Dish, RECIPES - Snacks

Every time I got sick as a kid, my mom would make grilled cheese sandwiches with chicken noodle soup. Somehow, the combination always made me feel better. Today in my house, the traditional cheesier has been revamped to include extra vitamins and fiber. I serve these for lunch or snack.

Butter (optional)
2 slices Wheat Bread
1 slice Cheddar cheese
Ham or Turkey Deli slices
Apple slices

Using butter is certainly an option. If you do use butter, you can do it two ways. You can spread it on the bread or melt it in the pan. Put the butter side down in the pan. Top with cheese, ham and apple slices.

Technorati Tags: Apple Ham and Cheese sandwich, cheesier, grilled cheese, kid foods, RECIPES

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Omelet Bar

Filed under: RECIPES - Breakfast, RECIPES - Main Dish

While I was vacationing this summer in Florida, most mornings we had an Omelet for breakfast. I have made two omelets in my life time. I tried making an omelet in my stainless steel skillet once, but it turned into scrambled eggs. The first time I successfully made an omelet, was when I received a set of non-stick pans. The second time was while I was in Florida visiting my family at the request of my sister. We typically eat breakfast for dinner on Sunday. This past Sunday, I decided to have an omelet bar. The kids were a little hesitant at first. They are two and four. But after a little coercing, they gobbled it up.

Tools:
A small non-stick skillet
A spatula
A ladle

Ingredients:
1 tsp or more butter per omelet
Vegetables, diced (green peppers, green onions, garlic, red onions, jalapenos. mushrooms, asparagus, spinach, potatoes, tomatoes, herbs)
Cooked meats, diced (bacon, sausage, ham)
Eggs, about two to three egg whites or 1 egg plus two egg whites per person

Place the meats and vegetables in different bowls. Heat the skillet on medium heat. In a bowl, whisk the eggs until completely combined. Melt some butter in the skillet. Add the desired herbs, vegetables and/or meats. Cook for a few minutes to soften.

Pour 1 ladle of egg mixture in the pan. As the egg cooks, lift the sides up while tilting the pan to allow the mixture to accumulate underneath. Once the egg starts to set and thicken, flip the omelet over. Sprinkle with cheese. Cook for a couple of minutes until set. Flip one side over and remove from heat.

Technorati Tags: Breakfast menu, family fun, how to make an omelet, kids meals, omelets, RECIPES

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Sausage Bread

Filed under: BUDGET MEALS, RECIPES - Appetizer, RECIPES - Breads, RECIPES - Breakfast, RECIPES - Snacks

This recipes comes from an issue of the Southern Living magazine. It is one of my family’s favorite to go breakfast meals. These can be made up in advance and frozen.

1 (1 lb) package ground pork sausage, hot or mild
1 (11-oz) can refrigerated French bread dough
1 1/2 cups shredded pizza cheese blend

Cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink. Remove from pan; drain well, pressing between paper towels.
Unroll dough into a rectangle shape on a lightly greased baking sheet; sprinkle evenly with sausage and cheese. Beginning with one long side, roll up, jelly-roll fashion. Turn, seam side down, on baking sheet, and pinch end to secure filling inside. Cut 3 (1/4-inch deep) slits across top of dough with a sharp knife.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until browned. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Alternatives:
You can buy the dough or make the dough. I have even used homemade pizza dough and it turned out fine.
I have also substituted shredded mozzarella with a cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend instead of the pizza cheese.
I gave this recipe to a friend of mine who tried adding scrambled eggs. She said it worked great and held well in the freezer.

Technorati Tags: breakfast on the go, easy meals, freezer meal, meals for kids, RECIPES, sausage bread, school meals

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Apple Pancakes

Filed under: RECIPES - Breakfast

I think I found this recipe on allrecipes.com. Amazingly to me, the pancakes taste like I am eating apple pie. Try them with Buttermilk Syrup or with flavored yogurt and fruit.

2 eggs, room temperature
1 2/3 cups milk, room temperature
8 oz plain yogurt, room temperature
1/4 cup applesauce
1 cup oatmeal
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1 apple, peeled, cored and diced

In a large bowl, stir together the eggs, milk, yogurt and oil until well blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, stir into the milk mixture until smooth. Fold in chopped apple.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each cake. Cook until bubbles form in the cakes and the bottoms are golden brown. Flip and cook the other side. Serve warm with syrup or jam.

Variations:
Substitute some of the all purpose flour with whole wheat flour and wheat germ.
The recipe calls for diced apples however

Technorati Tags: apple pancakes, fast easy recipes, healthy meals, RECIPES - Breakfast

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Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Filed under: RECIPES - Breakfast

Surprisingly, my kids love oatmeal. They request it all the time, even for dinner. This recipe makes a lot, but I like to make extra and put it in the refrigerator for the next day. Just add a little milk or water to moisten.

3 cups water or milk
2 1/2 cups oatmeal
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1-2 tbsp wheat germ (optional)
1 tsp flax seed (optional)
3 tbsp honey or brown sugar
1/4 cup pecans, chopped (optional)
1/2 cup apples, peeled, thinly sliced (about a 1/4 inch) and then chopped

Add all the ingredients to a pot except the oats. Cook on medium heat until the liquid comes to a boil. Add the oats. Reduce the heat and simmer until the oats are tender about 5 minutes.

Variations:
Substitute any dried fruit for the apples.
Use flax seed oil in place of the flax seed. Add it after the oatmeal is done cooking, before serving.

Technorati Tags: easy breakfast ideas, flax seed, Oatmeal, RECIPES, wheat germ

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German Pancakes

Filed under: BUDGET MEALS, RECIPES - Breakfast, RECIPES - Main Dish

The German Pancake, or Dutch Baby as some call it, is thought to have been created by the German-American Immigrants living in Dutch Pennsylvania, thus the name Dutch baby. With its ever growing popularity, has come a multitude of variations. Personally, I am a traditionalist and prefer the simple taste of the version made by a friend of mine back when I was in college. She had two specialties. German Pancakes and the other was her version of the Monster Cookie.

That is not to say I have not tried a few experiments of my own. Once when I was making German pancakes, I was reminded of a time when I was in Texas. One morning for breakfast, a family I was visiting made scrambled eggs with cheese and crumbled bacon mixed together. It sounded delish, so I added some cheese, chopped green onions, crumbled bacon and some salt and pepper to the batter. Another time, I had a craving for bread pudding and decided to try sliced apples with vanilla and cinnamon.

Traditionally, a cast iron skillet was used to bake the pancake in, but you can use any shallow baking dish, pie plate or oven safe skillet. The recipe says to place the pan in the oven to melt the butter. However, if you are using a glass dish, you do not want to add cold batter to hot glass. Instead, melt the butter in the microwave and pour into the dish before you add the batter.

Ingredients:
6 eggs
1 c flour
1 c milk
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp butter, plus extra

Preheat oven to 425. Place the 3 tablespoons of butter in a cast iron skillet or baking dish. Put the dish in the oven for a few minutes to melt the butter. Meanwhile, blend the eggs, flour, milk and salt in a blender until smooth. Pour batter into the dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.

There are a variety of ways to serve German Pancakes. You can eat it plain, with syrup or yogurt and/or fruit. Or, as soon as the dish comes out of the oven, spread some butter on it and then sprinkle some lemon juice and powdered sugar. Then, top with syrup or yogurt and fruit, or eat it as is.

Variations:
Substitute the all-purpose flour with bread flour for a better rise.
Add 1/4 tsp vanilla and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon to the batter.
Add chopped green onions, bacon or sausage and cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Add sliced apples. Peel and core 1-2 baking apples. Place on the bottom of the dish. Add vanilla and cinnamon.

Technorati Tags: dutch babies, german panckes

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Homemade Buttermilk Syrup

Filed under: BUDGET MEALS, RECIPES - Breakfast

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com. I was making pancakes one morning when I realized that I did not have any syrup. It is very rich with a slight caramel flavor. But so yummy on pancakes and waffles. If you do not have buttermilk on hand mix 2 1/4 teaspoons of vinegar with 3/4 cups of milk.

1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 cups butter
2 tbsp corn syrup
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla

In a saucepan, stir together the sugar, buttermilk, butter, corn syrup, and baking soda. Bring to a boil, and cook for 7 minutes. Remove from the heat, and stir in the vanilla.

Technorati Tags: homemade syrup, pancake syrup, recipe, RECIPES - Breakfast, syrup

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