Tag Archives: breakfast

What the Farmer Cooked for Breakfast

When I was growing up, we had chickens, a flock of sheep and a goat or two.  Our eggs were always fresh, many with double yolks.

Mom always shopped for produce from local farms or roadside stands, where the veggies would have been picked that morning. We’d either go into the fields and fill bags, or wait while the farmer brought back what Mom needed.

I remember sitting in her lap in back seat of the car, after our shopping sprees,  eating a juicy, red tomato still warm from the sun. Nothing comes close to that memory.

You probably know from experience that produce purchased from a farm, or farmer’s market, that has been allowed to vine ripen is far superior in flavor to any store-bought produce.  But more than that, if it comes from an organic farm that rotates crops and takes care of the soil, then there is an added blast of goodness!

So this is what I imagine a farmer might like to have for breakfast.  The recipe makes about 6 servings.

Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole

3 c. shredded hash browns                          ¾ c. shredded Jack cheese
1 c. diced cooked Canadian bacon            ¼ c sliced organic green onion (2)
4 omega-3 eggs, beaten                                  1-½ c. milk or almond milk
1 Tbs. organic tomato, chopped                 4 button organic mushrooms, sliced
1/8 tsp salt                                                            1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. dillweed                                                 Pinch of cayenne pepper

Lightly grease a 2 qt. square baking dish. Arrange potatoes evenly in the bottom. Sprinkle with cheese, bacon, green onions, tomato and mushrooms.

In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt and peppers.  Pour egg mixture over potatoes.

Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes, or until knife inserted comes out clean.

Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Banana Pineapple Smoothie – Non-Dairy

Smoothies are a smart way to get your teens and your spouse to stop long enough for breakfast during the week!

This is a refreshing and nutrition packed Smoothie. Keep frozen pineapple in your freezer, and some variety of juices (fresh or frozen) to toss this together.

This recipe serves 4 – 6 depending on serving size.

Recipe

  •   1 10.5-ounce package  soft lite silken tofu
  •   1 medium  banana
  •   2 cups  unsweetened orange-pineapple juice — chilled
  •   1 8-ounce can  unsweetened crushed pineapple — chilled
  • 1 Tbs. freshly ground flax seeds
  • Mint leaves, for garnish

Combine all ingredients in electric blender; cover and process until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish with mint.

Serve immediately.

Gluten-Free Whole Grain Strawberry Muffins

These are so very satisfying as a snack or for breakfast alongside a scrambled egg.  Try this recipe with Raspberries for a sweet-tart treat!

Yield: 12 muffins

Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

1/2 cup hazelnut flour or almond flour
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup sorghum (jowar) flour
1/2 cup millet flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup organic cane sugar (if using xylitol use 1 Tbs. less)
1 tablespoon tapioca starch or arrowroot starch
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large organic free-range eggs, beaten
1/4 cup light olive oil or grape seed oil
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon bourbon vanilla extract
3/4 to 1 cup vanilla soy milk, rice milk, coconut or almond milk
1 1/2 cups fresh organic strawberries, washed, stemmed, diced

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add in the beaten eggs, oil, syrup, and vanilla extract. Beat to begin combining. As the batter is coming together, start pouring in the milk, slowly, and beat to mix thoroughly between additions.

When you have added 3/4 cup liquid, take a close look at your batter. It should be soft and slightly thick.

Slowly add the rest of the milk, continuing to beat. When the batter looks like muffin batter, stop adding liquid. If you live in a humid climate use 1 Tbs. or 2 two less liquid. This batter isn’t super-smooth and sticky (no xanthan gum!). It is not as thin as cake batter. It should look fluffy.

Stir in most of the strawberries by hand, using a wooden spoon (reserve a portion of the strawberry pieces for the tops).  Spoon batter into paper lined muffin tin. Stud the tops with strawberry pieces. Leave the tops lumpy.

Bake in the center of oven for 25 to 30 minutes.  Note: If your berries are cold, your muffins will take a few minutes longer to bake.

Cool pan on a rack for five minutes, then remove the muffins and continue cooling on rack .