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Easy Breakfast Skillet Recipe...Perfect For A Sunday Brunch
My breakfast skillet is one of my family's favorites on the weekends. The flavors are great in this simple, yet hearty dish. The breakfast skillet comes together perfectly, and is great for Christmas morning breakfast, a Mother’s Day brunch, or just any day you want a tasty, filling breakfast.
One of the best things about the breakfast skillet is how simple it is to change up the flavors. I keep this recipe simple with eggs, potatoes, and bacon. But you can change the bacon to any breakfast meat of choice. I sometimes I use leftover roasted chicken, and it is so yummy. You can also use hash browns, peppers, and add fried eggs instead scrambled.
Breakfast Skillet Recipe
Ingredients:
4 Large Yukon Gold Potatoes
6 eggs
2 tbsp. Milk
6 Strips of Bacon
½ Yellow Onion
3 - 4 tbsp. Olive Oil
2 tsp Garlic Powder
1 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
1 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
1 tsp. Thyme
½ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Directions:
Wash and dry potatoes well, and large dice them. Add about 3 tbsp. of olive oil to large skillet, and heat on medium. Chop onions in small chunks. Add potatoes and onions to skillet and sprinkle with a little garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stirring frequently, add lid to skillet and cook for about 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Leave lid on potatoes once done but remove from heat.
Place bacon on microwave safe plate and cook for about 3 minutes until nice and crispy. In a medium size bowl beat eggs with thyme, milk, and salt and pepper. Soft scramble eggs in separate skillet.
Crumble bacon and top potatoes with it. Next, evenly spread scrambled eggs over potatoes and top with cheese. Replace lid for about 3 minutes until cheese is melted.
Let me know if you enjoyed the recipe. Did you make any changes? Please share!
Easy Homemade Granola...Gluten Free
Homemade Granola
Granola is often thought of as a breakfast food, but it is really great anytime. I eat it as a snack, and sometimes for dessert as a parfait. I toss it in my bag for an on the go treat, and I eat it for breakfast. Granola is so yummy, and sweet, but can also be a lot of calories if you don't watch it.
I started making my own granola to control the calories, the sugar content, and to be able to make it gluten free. Making granola is super easy. I usually give my kids my recipe, and just let them make it.
It really is as simple as measuring ingredients into a bowl, and mixing with your hands. Set a timer for 20 minutes, and you will have delicious granola.
Gluten Free Homemade Granola Recipe
Ingredients:
3 cups Gluten Free Oats
1 ½ cup Shredded Coconut, Unsweetened
1 cup Dried Cranberries, No sugar Added
1 cup Sliced Almonds
½ cup Coconut Oil
½ cup Honey
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract, GF
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl mix oats, coconut, cranberries, and sliced almonds. In a medium bowl mix oil, honey, and vanilla. Pour honey mixture into the oat mixture and mix ingredients with hands, making sure to completely coat oats. Pour mixture onto a baking sheet with raised edges and evenly spread mixture. Place in center rack and bake for 20 minutes, turning baking sheet after 10 minutes for even cooking.
Allow granola to cool completely. Granola will become crispy and crunchy as it cools.
Enjoy your granola as a snack, over some greek yogurt, or with milk as breakfast cereal. Store in ziplock or closed container for 7-10 days.
Gluten Free Cooking...My Crispy Chicken Tenders Recipe
I started cooking without gluten several years ago after being diagnosed with a gluten allergy. Cutting gluten out of my diet was not easy, but it was worth it to feel better. Giving up bread was the obvious diet exclusion, but once I started the research, I realized that gluten was in some many things. I came to the understanding that if I wanted to eat well, and not spend a ton of money on gluten free goods, I was going to have to make it myself.
I love to cook, and found it challenging to create tasty recipes for my family that did not contain gluten. How would I bake cookies and cupcakes, or make pizza dough without gluten? Fortunately my gluten allergy was nothing new to the world, and I was able to find many substitutes for the real thing.
Almond flour, rice flour, and tapioca flour are just a few common substitutes for wheat flour. I began to experiment with cooking, and baking with these flours, but the struggle was real. Nothing seemed to turn out right. The taste was off, or grainy, and unfortunately the texture was not the best. The reality was, this was my new reality. None of the substitutes would be exactly like a wheat flour, or produce identical results. But I kept experimenting by combining the flours, as well as adding xanthum gum to the baking recipes.
Then one day I discovered Cup4Cup gluten free flour. This flour claimed to produce wheat flour like results, with no additions needed to the flour. It was a little pricey, so I was hesitant, but I finally took the plunge and purchased a 3 lb. bag. I was pleasantly surprised at the results when using this flour. I also discovered several other brands, that produced similar results as well.
One of the first recipes I tried with Cup4Cup was fried chicken tenders. I rarely fry food, but when I do, I want it to be good. I prepared my recipe the same as I would with wheat flour, and the results were amazing. The tenders were golden, crispy, and better than you would get at a restaurant. Here's my simple but extra yummy recipe.
Gluten Free Crispy Chicken Tenders Recipe
1 1/2 lb chicken tenders
1 c. Cup4cup gluten free flour
1/2 c. cornstarch
2 eggs
1/3 c. Milk
oil of choice for frying
3 tbsp. seasoning salt
2 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp paprika
2 tsp. black pepper
Gluten Free Flour Recipe (Optional)
1/2 c. Rice flour
1/2 c. Tapioca flour
1 tbsp Xanthum Gum
Directions
Preheat your oil in a french oven, or heavy skillet to 375 degrees. In a large bowl add chicken tenders, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp seasoning salt, and 1 tsp black pepper and mix until chicken is completed coated.
In a medium bowl add flour, cornstarch, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 1/2 tbsp seasoning salt, 1 tbsp paprika, and mix with fork. In a second medium bowl beat eggs, milk, and your remaining seasoning salt together.
Prepare your dredging station by placing bowl with chicken on the end, middle will go your egg mixture, and last is your flour mixture. Take each tender and completely coat in egg mixture, and then dredge in flour, and shake off excess flour.
Carefully place tenders in hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd skillet. Cook tenders for 5-7 minutes, depending on size of tenders, turning them over after about 3 minutes. Remove and drain on plate with paper towels.
I recommend saving yourself time by using gluten free flours like Cup4Cup, or are measure for measure of the gluten free flours. But just in case you still want to mix your flours, I included a gluten free flour recipe for the chicken tenders. Enjoy!
To Be Organic Or Not To Be...Is Buying Organic Worth The Cost?
I must say that the word organic has a nice ring to it. It makes me think natural and healthy, but unfortunately it also makes me think expensive. The cost of organic fruits and vegetables are nearly double that of the chemically soaked others.
So I guess the question is "is it worth it to buy organic?" I think the answer is both yes and no.
Is Organic Food Worth The Cost?
I have researched and read many articles that discussed the value, both monetarily and health wise in buying organic.
It basically comes down to being worth the cost if you are purchasing fruits with thin skins, such as tomatoes and peaches, because the pesticides and chemicals are more likely to penetrate the fruit. But not worth it for the likes of banana or melons with thicker skins.
Watermelon Slices
I grow my own tomatoes, so I guess I am safe there, but I have also started buying free range, cage free organic eggs. These eggs are nearly triple the price of your typical dozen, but I feel good about "possibly" supporting a more humane existence for the chickens. I am also in processing of preparing to raise my own chickens for eggs.
I buy organic when possible, but I definitely have my concerns, or should I say trust issues. How do I know that these products are truly what they say they are. How do I know these chicken were not kept in cages, or fed hormones and chemically tainted feed. How do I know the grapes I just paid $7 for are truly organic?
I suppose I will never know for certain if a product is truly organic, but I will take all of precautions that I can. I can do things such as thoroughly washing fruits and veggies before use, buying locally grown produce, and growing any fruits or vegetables that I can.
Also I can go to Certified Farmer's Markets, and buy directly from organic farmers.
What are your thoughts on organics products? Do you buy organic food? Do you buy other organic materials such as towels and sheets?
I'm A Home Chef But Gasp...Sometimes I Get Takeout! Can I Eat Fast Food, and Still Be Healthy?
The words fast food and healthy do not usually go together, but can they? Is it possible to enjoy fast food without loading up on fat, and sodium, and sugar? I think the answer is yes. Many fast food chains offer healthy, low calorie options, but that is not usually what we are there for. Just like many Americans I love french fries and burgers, but I also love a great salad, turkey sandwich, or a tasty soup.
At Wendy's you can get a half size caesar side salad for 250 calories, and you can add a small chili for another 180 calories. That's not bad and is actually really filling. Or you can grab some Panera Bread for breakfast, and have their breakfast power sandwich, which is delicious, for just 340 calories. Go back for lunch and get their cream of chicken wild Rice soup for 310 calories. You can view all of Panera Bread's nutritional values at panerabread.com. I recommend doing this for all restaurants before eating out.
Panera Bread Power Breakfast Sandwich
Don't get me wrong, I love cooking, and taking leftovers for lunch. But sometimes there are no leftovers from the night before, or I am craving something different. It is nice to know that I can get fast food, and have somewhat healthy options. Now, whether or not I am choosing the healthy options is between me, and my scale. I would also like to add the caveat that low calorie doesn't necessarily mean healthy. Don't forget to look at the fat, sugar, and sodium content.
Let's be honest, it is always healthiest to cook at home. You can control the fat and sodium content that goes into your food. But in our busy lives sometimes we go for what is fast and convenient. I don't believe that means we have to sacrifice healthy food choices.
When you go fast food, do you go healthy? Do you never have fast food? Or do you just say to hell with it, and get whatever you want?
Any Morning Breakfast Bake Recipe...Make Ahead The Night Before
If you are like me, then you love a breakfast bake. Breakfast bakes are yummy, filling, and a crowd pleaser. I make some version of a breakfast bake every major holiday morning or long weekend. I prepare my any morning bake the night before, and pop it in the oven on the morning of, while family is still sleeping.
The great thing about the breakfast bake is that the ingredients are simple, and can be versatile. I have so many versions of this one recipe. You cannot go wrong. The one constant is eggs. Everything else is negotiable, based on what you have in your fridge or pantry. You can make it a veggie bake, or a meat lovers. You can use bread or potatoes. Choose ingredients based on what works for your crowd.
Here is this year's Any Morning Breakfast Bake Recipe...
Ingredients
- 8 eggs
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 6 slices sourdough bread, cubed
- 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 lb Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage
- 4 bacon strips
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Directions
- Lightly spray 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- On medium heat, crumble and cook sausage in skillet until brown. Drain excess grease from sausage.
- Pan fry or cook bacon on microwave safe plate until crispy. Allow bacon to cool, and crumble in with sausage.
- In a large bowl beat together eggs, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Once beaten, add in half the cheese.
- Add cubed bread to baking dish, and top with sausage and bacon crumbles, and half of the chopped green onions. Pour the egg mixture evenly into the baking dish, and top with the remaining cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil, and refigerate overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and cook for 60 minutes covered. Remove aluminum foil, and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the bake is firm.
- Garnish with the remaining green onions and serve.
That's it! Pretty simple right? Feel free to add your own twist to this classic. I suggest serving with a side of fruit and mimosas.
I Drink Tea Everyday...And Here's Why You Should Too!
I am a big tea drinker, hot tea, not iced. I love tea, and I drink it all day long. I find no need to add sugar, or anything else to my teas. But one of my favorites is naturally sweet, and extra yummy.
My preferred tea brand is Tea Forte, but drink whatever works for you.
I used to only drink tea when I was sick, to soothe a sore throat, and warm me up. But as I got older, I started to learn about all of the health benefits of drinking tea. There are many types of teas, and they all have their own health benefits.
There is green tea, white tea, black, and herbal tea just to name a few.
Green Tea Health Benefits
Green Tea
Green tea seems to have the most health benefits, and can help boost your metabolism. Green has antioxidants and nutrients. It is known to improve brain function, aid in fat loss, help in preventing certain types of cancer, and reduce risk of Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's.
Green tea also improves dental and cardiovascular health, and reduces risks of Type 2 Diabetes.
Black and White Teas Health Benefits
White tea also contains antioxidants, more in fact than green tea. The tea improves cardiovascular health, lowers cholesterol, improves weight loss, and reduces risk of cancer.
Black tea, much like green and white tea, aids in cardiovascular health, immune system, and reduces cancer risk. It also helps with skin, hair, and digestive problems.
African Solstice
Herbal Tea Health Benefits
Herbal teas come in many varieties. One of my favorites is African Solstice, which is absolutely delicious. The benefits of herbal teas are dependent on the type of tea you choose. Some of the most common herbal teas are peppermints, rosehip, ginger, and chamomile, and each of these have their own benefits.
Peppermint tea will help with gas and bloating, while ginger helps with nausea. Chamomile helps you sleep, and aids in recovery with cold and fever. Rosehip tea helps boost your immune system, with its high vitamin C content. It also helps skin and adrenal functioning.
So I bet you are asking yourself right now, why haven't you been drinking tea all this time. It is never too late to start reaping those benefits. Drink up!
Thanksgiving Traditions...How Do You Celebrate?
I love Thanksgiving, and I am truly thankful for all of my good fortunes. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of food, family, friends, and football. I know that for many, holiday time can be stressful or depressing, but for me I feel like this is when I really shine.
It really is not about how big, or small your crowd is, but about appreciating how wonderful things are, and hopes of better things to come. My crowd size varies from year year, from as small as six people, to as large as twenty. Personally for me, ten people is the most comfortable size for me to cook for.
This year I am doing something a little different. I am hosting a pre-dinner the Wednesday before at one home to spend time with those who will not be with us on Thanksgiving.
Then on the actual day of, I will host another Thanksgiving with some different guests at a different house. The menus will be different, as will the locations and ambience, which makes it more interesting for me.
I used to get very stressed out cooking for the holidays, wanting everything to be perfect. But those years are long gone. I am pretty confident in my abilities, but can also shrug it off if something doesn’t turn outright. I also don’t try to go it alone.
My two daughters are awesome sous chefs, which helps a lot. I love teaching my girls to cook, and seeing that growth from year to year.
So while my holiday menus are mostly decided, I am now teetering between a roasted or fried turkey. For a while there, I was really on a fried turkey kick, and then I was over it.
In the last three years, I roasted the turkeys, brined for 48 hours before cooking, and they were delicious. But it may be time for a change-up again. Either way, I plan on a stress-free Thanksgiving.
Here Are My Tips For A Stress Thanksgiving...
Plan Ahead - Once you know how many people you will be hosting, start planning seating, your menu, and beverages.
Make Ahead - Many dishes, especially desserts and appetizers can be made ahead of time.
Enlist Help - Have you kids, partner, or friends assist as needed with food prep, serving, and clean up.
Bring A Dish - When entertaining large groups, have guests bring side dishes, desserts, or beverages.
Perfection Not Required - Remember the gathering is about being together and giving thanks.
Size Doesn't Matter - Whether your celebration consists of 2 or 20 people, you have something to be thankful for.
What are your holiday plans? Hosting a dinner? Attending someone else's dinner as a guest? Or going out for a nice steak dinner at a restaurant? Please share your plans and tips for having a wonderful, stress free Thanksgiving!
When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect towards others. - Dalai Lama
Fall Cooking...How Do You Warm Your Kitchen?
I always love cooking, but more so in the fall. I think it's because I cut back on cooking big meals indoors during the summer because of the heat. So when the weather starts to cool, I am especially eager to get back at it.
For the moment, I am about all things squash and soups. My favorite soup to make right now is my Lemony Chicken and Spinach soup. It is one of the tastiest and easiest soups you will ever make. My other current favorite is Cauliflower Rice and Chicken Soup. These soups are light, tasty, good for you, and oh so filling. And best of all gluten free!
For my squash addiction, I am making spaghetti squash weekly. Squash is plentiful this time of year, and at only 35 calories in a cup serving, how can you resist. My girls are picky eaters, so in order to appeal to their palates, I cook up a quick basil, olive oil, and garlic marinara sauce and add in some seasoned ground chicken. The squash absorbs the flavor, and turns into a yummy low calorie meal.
The last thing that warms my kitchen in the fall is baking. I love baking fresh bread, and some sweets as well. I am gluten intolerant, so finding good tasting gluten free bread is both difficult and costly. Baking fresh bread is easy, except for when is comes to making sourdough. Feeding the cultures for sourdough is time consuming, but worth it.
My recommendation is to enjoy that warm kitchen of yours, with family, friends, and a nice glass of wine or prosecco. Please check out my Recipe of the Week page and get to cooking!
Winter Solstice
Tonight is the eve of Winter Solstice. Not sure exactly what winter solstice is or why you should care? Well let me tell you a little about it and you decide if it is worth a thought. First thing to know is that winter solstice officially begins on Wednesday December 21, 2016 at 2:44 am PST. Winter solstice is also referred to as Midwinter, Yule, and The Longest Night to name a few.
Tomorrow will mark the longest day of night and the shortest day of the year. Why does a winter solstice even happen you ask? Well without getting too sciencey (not a word), and I am no scientist, it basically comes down to the tilt of Earth's axial and the rotation it creates. Simple enough, right?
The word solstice comes from Latin meaning sun stand still. I always get excited about this day every year because it marks the slow transition back to longer days. Winter solstice also marks the first day of winter, which I would not be too excited about if I were anywhere other than Southern California.
Winter solstice carries significance in many cultures. Tomorrow will be a day of celebration with festivals, food, and family. For example Pagan Germans were influenced by winter solstice and celebrated with Yule. We can thank Yule for the modern Christmas tree tradition.
So there you have it. A few tidbits about winter solstice. It is a day of big celebrations for some and a small, internal cheer for me. Not sure what this winter has in store for me but I will be looking forward to spring and all of my lovely annuals blooming.
Fun Fact - It is believed that Stonehenge was built to celebrate Winter solstice, but that is just a theory and the truth will likely remain a mystery.