Southern Style Buttermilk Biscuits

 INGREDIENTS
4 c. flour
2 T. granulated sugar
1 1/2 T. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 c. cold salter butter, cut into small cubes
1 1/4 c. cold buttermilk, more if needed
2 T. melted butter

Sausage Gravy:

1 lb. spicy ground sausage

1/4 c. flour

3-4 c. milk

salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Using a pastry cutter, add cold butter and chop into flour mixture until crumbly. Add buttermilk and stir with fork until mixture just comes together. Do not over mix. It will still be fairly dry. 

On a lightly floured surface, dump out down and gently pat into an 8 inch square, about 1 inch thick. Cut the dough into 4 equal squares. Stack the squares on top of each other and then roll into an 8 inch square again. Repeat this process of rolling, cutting and stacking 2 more times. On the last time, roll dough and cut into 12-16 squares.

Lay onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, 1/2 inch apart. Freeze for 15 minutes before baking.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Brush the tops of the biscuits with 1 T. of the melted butter. Bake until golden brown, about 15-18 minutes. While the biscuits are still hot, brush with remaining 1 T. of melted butter. 

For the sausage gravy: Cook 1 lb. spicy sausage in a pan until well done. Add flour to the sausage and mix until sausage is covered. Slowly add milk to desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste. Keep on low until ready to serve.

Overnight Oats

 

INGREDIENTS
1/2 c. rolled oats
1/2 c. milk
1/4. c. greek non-fat yogurt
1 T. hemp, chia and flax seeds
1 T. honey or maple syrup
1/4 tsp. vanilla
Toppings: Any fruits or favorite nuts (I like strawberries, blueberries, bananas and slivered almonds.)

DIRECTIONS

Combine first 6 ingredients and pour into a mason jar or closed container. Store in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning top oats with your favorite toppings. 

Açai Bowls

INGREDIENTS
3 c. frozen berries
1 c. milk
1 ripe banana
1T.+ açai powder

1-2 T. honey, optional

Toppings

granola

unsweetened coconut

honey

fresh fruit- bananas, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, mangos, peaches, kiwi, peaches, etc.

health seeds-chia, hemp, flax, etc.

DIRECTIONS

In a blender combine frozen berries, milk, banana, açai powder and honey. Add additional milk if you are having a hard time blending, but not too much or it'll become runny. Portion into containers. I like to double the batch and freeze some for later. When pulling out a container of açai from the freezer, allow to thaw on the table for about an hour. Add desired toppings and enjoy. 

Buttermilk Waffles

 

INGREDIENTS
1 3/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 egg yoks
2 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. oil
2 egg whites

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir and set aside. In a separate bowl combine egg yolks, milk and oil. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir slightly until combined. In a small bowl beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold egg whites into the rest of the batter. Do not over mix. Lightly brush melted butter onto waffle skillet. Pour 1+ c. batter onto griddle and close lid. Bake according to manufacturer's directions. When done, lift waffle with a fork and transfer waffle to a plate. Serve warm with powdered sugar and syrup.

Garden Scrambled Omelette

One of my favorite things about gardening is finding ways to use the fresh vegetables in our cooking. Omelettes are so versatile because you can add whatever ingredients you like and the options are endless. It's also healthy and filling! 

INGREDIENTS

3 eggs

2 T. milk

Shredded Cheese

Cherry Tomatoes

Bell Pepper

Kale/Spinach

Jalapeno Pepper

Red Onion

Zucchini

Butter to sauté vegetables

Bacon, cooked and crumbled 

Salt & Pepper

DIRECTIONS

Crack eggs into a bowl, add milk and whisk until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste and set aside. 

Chop all vegetables to equal approximately 1/3 cup. In a fry pan on medium heat add a little butter and sauté veggies for 1-2 minutes. Pour eggs over veggies and sprinkle with bacon and cheese. Slowly stir until eggs are cooked to desired consistency. Plate and enjoy.

What is your favorite combination of ingredients for an Omelette?

Ruth's Mile High Biscuits

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 T. sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

3 oz. butter, chilled and cut into small cubes

3/4 c. cold buttermilk

1 large egg, beaten

1/4 c. water

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Using a pastry cutter or fork, combine flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and butter until crumbly. Add buttermilk, egg and water. Mix just until dry and wet ingredients are combined, don't over mix.

Put dough on lightly floured surface and form into a 6x6 square. Slice into 9 even squares. Move dough to a lightly greased 9x9 baking dish. Bake at 425 for approx. 15 minutes. Serve while warm!

Low Carb Breakfast Tostada

 

INGREDIENTS

1 low carb tortilla
4 eggs
1/2 c. cheese
1/2 c. arugula/kale/spinach
salt and pepper
Cholula

DIRECTIONS

Turn oven onto 350 degrees. Lightly spray 8 inch cake pan with cooking spray. Place tortilla at the bottom. 

Crack 4 eggs on top of the tortilla. Season with salt and pepper. 

Sprinkle with arugula/kale/spinach and then top with cheese. 

Bake in oven for approx. 15 minutes or until eggs have set and are no longer runny. Slice into 4 and serve with Cholula. 

*Try other delicious toppings such as onion, bell peppers, jalapeno, bacon or diced tomato. 

Microwave Breakfast Omelette

 INGREDIENTS

1 Egg
1 T. chopped arugula and/or kale
salt and pepper
1 T. cheese, shredded
1 tsp. onion, finely chopped
Cholula or salsa
oil or cooking spray

DIRECTIONS

Lightly coat microwavable ramekin with oil or cooking spray. Put 1 T. chopped arugula/kale in bottom of dish.

 Whisk 1 egg, season with salt and pepper, and pour over top of arugula. Top with chopped onion and shredded cheese. 

Cook for 50 seconds to 1 min in the microwave. Add Cholula or salsa and enjoy!

*Try adding a tsp. of bell pepper, crumbled bacon or a sprinkle of finely chopped jalapeño!

Sausage Roll

 

Angela introduced us to these delicious breakfast Sausage Rolls. It's especially a huge hit among the kids. Nothing better to them than going out for a morning swim at their aunts house and then taking a break to come in for a hot slice of sausage roll. 

INGREDIENTS

1-16 oz. package regular or spicy hot sausage
1-8 oz. package cream cheese
1-8 oz. can Pillsbury Crescent Dough Sheet
1 egg, beaten
Everything but the bagel seasoning

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Cook sausage in a skillet until browned. Discard any excess grease. Unwrap cream cheese and add to the skillet, stirring until cream cheese melts and combines with sausage. 

Let slightly cool. Unroll crescent dough sheet and spread out on a lightly oiled sheet of parchment paper. Add sausage mixture to the middle and then roll dough into a log sealing all sides. Baste top with beaten egg and then lightly sprinkle with the bagel seasoning. Cook for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown. Slice and serve while hot. 

Crustless Quiche

Eating low carb in our house is not easy. I love breads, crusts and carbs. I love baking them and I love eating them! Whenever I try to go without, I think i'm going to die! This quiche recipe was super flavorful, healthy and low carb. I didn't miss the crust at all and I loved that I could pop the leftovers in the fridge and reheat them the next morning for breakfast. This recipe is so versatile that you can switch out the meat for sausage or bacon. Also we have fun mixing up the veggies for things we like such as spinach, mushrooms, onions or peppers. 

INGREDIENTS
1 c. lowfat cottage cheese
12 egg whites
1/2 c. broccoli, cooked and chopped
1/2 c. lean ham, diced
1/2 c. sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Spray a 9 1/2 inch pie dish and pour ingredients in. Bake for 45 minutes or until center is set.

Baked Biscuits and Gravy

INGREDIENTS

Bisquick biscuit dough

6 eggs

1/2 c. milk

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

1 lb Jimmy Dean sausage, (I use regular or hot)

1 c. shredded cheese

For the gravy:

4 T. butter

4 T. flour

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

2 c. milk

DIRECTIONS

Prepare Bisquick biscuit dough according to directions of the box and then set aside.  Cook sausage in a fry pan over medium heat until well done. In a separate bowl, mix eggs, 1/2 c. milk, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper, and slowly add the 2 cups of milk. Simmer, stirring, until it’s thickened. Grease a 9x13 glass baking dish and then layer the biscuits, sausage, cheese, egg mixture, and then gravy. Bake at 350°F/180°C for 35-45 min, until the eggs on the bottom are cooked. 

Ebelskivers

Æbleskiver (Danish pronunciation: [ˈɛːb̥ləˌsɡ̊iːʊ̯ɐ]; Danish meaning apple slices [singular: æbleskive]), also called "appleskives" are traditional Danish pancakes in a distinctive shape of a sphere. Somewhat similar in texture to European pancakes crossed with a popover or Yorkshire pudding, æbleskiver are solid like a pancake but light and fluffy like a popover. The English language spelling is usually aebleskiver or ebleskiver.

INGREDIENTS
3 c. scalded milk
1/2 c. shortening
2 T. yeast
1 c. warm water
1 T. sugar
1 c. sugar
5 egg yolks
4 c. flour
5 egg whites

DIRECTIONS
Scald milk. Add shortening and 1 c. sugar. Allow to cool. Dissolve yeast in 1 c. warm water with 1 T. sugar. When milk is lukewarm, combine with egg yolks, flour and yeast mixture. Let rise 3 times. Beat egg whites to stiff peaks. Fold in batter. Cook in hot Ebelskiver pan with melted butter (1/2 tsp) in each cup. Fill cups 3/4 full. Turn with toothpick or small pickle fork.

Serve hot with butter and syrup, powdered sugar, or butter and jam. Some people like them with applesauce.

Breakfast Casserole

This is a delicious breakfast casserole that has circulated around our church and neighbors for years.

INGREDIENTS

24 oz frozen shredded potatoes

1/2 c. melted butter

6 eggs

1/2 tsp. Lawry's seasoning salt

1 c. evaporated milk

1-2 c. Monterey/cheddar cheese

1 1/2 c. cubed ham, sausage or bacon

DIRECTIONS

Combine melted butter and shredded potatoes and spread out in a greased 9x13 pan.

Bake @ 425 for 25-30 minutes. (Can do this step the night before.)

Beat together eggs, seasoning salt, evaporated milk and pour over baked shell. Sprinkle with cheese and meat.

Bake @ 350 for 40 minutes.

Orange Syrup

This is a family recipe I grew up with and remember Nana and my mom making often with pancakes and french toast when we would visit. I LOVE this syrup because it reminds me of my childhood. 

INGREDIENTS

1-6 oz. can orange juice

1/2 c. butter

1 c. sugar

DIRECTIONS

Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Serve hot on pancakes or french toast.

Steel Cut Oats

I didn't even know what Steel Cut Oats were until this summer when we visited my parents and my mom made this for breakfast.  Then she sent us home with a can and we love making them.  Jason's not much of a hot cereal eater but now whenever I'm cooking oatmeal he asks if it's regular oats or steel cut oats.  Our #10 can came from Honeyville Farms but just the other day at Walmart I saw steel cut oats next to the regular oats. 

INGREDIENTS
1 T. butter
1 cup Steel Cut Oats
1 cup milk
3 cups water
3 T. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

DIRECTIONS
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add oats and toast while stirring for approximately 3 minutes. Be careful not to over brown. Add milk, water, sugar and salt. Bring to a simmer and cover. Turn heat down to low and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve oats with brown sugar, raisins, chopped walnuts, and milk.

Granola

This is Nana's Granola recipe and I've eaten it several times at her house and it's been in the family cookbook for years but I'd never made it myself until 2 months ago and 3 double batches later I'm still loving it! My favorite is eating as cereal with milk poured over the top but it's also great over yogurt, mixed with hot wheat cereal, by the handfuls, or any other way you can think to eat it.  Altogether it's just plain delicious.

INGREDIENTS
4 c. regular rolled oats
4 c. quick rolled oats
2 c. fresh ground wheat flour or wheat germ
2 c. coconut (shredded coconut or I like to use the Philippine brand of Dried young coconut from Costco and chop it)
2 c. slivered almonds
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon (optional)

1/2 c. butter
1 c. honey
1 c. brown sugar
4 T. molasses

DIRECTIONS
Mix: Dry ingredients in a large bowl. Bring wet ingredients to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Pour wet into dry being sure to stir in well.  Place a thin layer on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.  Granola will be crunchy when cool and dry.

*We double this recipe and store the granola in gallon plastic bags in the freezer.

Crepes

These crepes are so delicious and fun to make for any occasion.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. sugar, if dessert crepe
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
4 eggs
3 T. butter, melted and slightly cooled

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in blender except butter.  Blend 15 seconds, scrape sides, start blender again. Add butter, blend 1 minute.

Spray crepe pan with cooking spray every couple of crepes.

Makes 8 crepes.

Filling suggestions: bananas, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, powdered sugar

Banana Nut Bran Muffins

I am always trying to find recipes to incorporate bananas into and trying to be a little healthier, I came up with this recipe. I try to have applesauce on hand to use as a substitute for oil, but you can certainly use oil in its place.  

INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup oat bran
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1 eggs
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup applesauce (vegetable oil can be substituted)
1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS
In mixer, combine the first eight ingredients. In another bowl, beat the eggs, juice, sugars and applesauce. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and nuts. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. Makes approx 12 muffins.

Popeye Pancakes

This recipe was a favorite growing up and it comes straight out of the good old fashioned Better Homes and Gardens recipe book. In the recipe book it is called a Puffed Oven Pancake. I've also heard it called German Pancakes but we think it's fun to call them Popeye Pancakes. I guess it's because they puff up really cool like Popeye does when he eats his canned spinach. We usually bake the pancakes in a 9x13 dish but on occasion my kids think it's fun to have them baked in muffin tins so they have their own little servings that hold the toppings so well! My kids love syrup but my favorite is homemade strawberry jam and whipped topping. Delish!
 

INGREDIENTS
2 T. butter
3 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp. salt  

DIRECTIONS
Place butter in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet. Place in a 400 degree oven for 3 to 5 minutes or till butter melts. In a medium mixing bowl use a wire whisk or rotary beater to beat eggs till combined. Add flour, milk, and salt. Beat till mixture is smooth. Immediately pour into the hot skillet. Bake about 25 minutes or till puffed and well browned. Top with syrup or fruit. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar or top with whipped cream. Cut into wedges and serve warm. Makes 6 servings.

*This recipe is for a 10 inch skillet but we usually double the recipe when using a 9x13 casserole dish. Doubling the recipe also fills 24 regular muffin tins.

**If using muffin pans, I find the easiest way is to lightly coat with cooking spray while melting the butter in a bowl in the microwave and then drizzle a small amount of butter into each tin. Warm the pan in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until the butter is slightly bubbling. Make sure you don't burn the butter! Fill approx. 2 T. batter into each tin and then bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes.