Frosty Fruit Salad

2 large Gala apples, cubed
2 large firm bananas, sliced thick
2 tsp lemon juice (use fresh squeezed, not the bottled stuff!)
1 (6oz) fat free sugar free raspberry or strawberry yogurt
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup sunflower kernels

Combine the apples and bananas in a large bowl.
Sprinkle with lemon juice and toss to coat.
Stir in the yogurt, raisins, and sunflower kernels.
Serve immediately.
This only stores about a day or two in the fridge.  Try to eat as soon as possible.

My review:  This is yummy!  It would be a great hit at a brunch!  The yogurt gives a great flavor.  I wish it lasted longer in the fridge, but unfortunately it turns brown after about a day.

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

I don't have a picture of this one -- but just imagine an egg casserole :)

1 dozen eggs
1 cup milk
1 (32oz) package frozen hash brown potatoes
1 lb cooked meat - sausage, bacon, or ham   (I've actually made it using a mixture of 2 meats before too)
1/2 cup onions, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
3/4 pound cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 tsp dry mustard
salt and pepper to taste

Using a crockpot that is at least 3 quarts, start layering the potatoes, onions, green pepper, and cheese, in about 2 or 3 layers each.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, milk, mustard, salt, and pepper together.
Pour over the ingredients already in the crockpot.
Cook on low for 10-12 hours, until eggs are set and thoroughly cooked.


My review:  I took this in to work as a birthday brunch treat, and everyone loved it.  You can add any veggies you would like to it, I imagine some fresh spinach would be good.  It's great because you can prepare it before bed, and it's ready in the morning!  Served with some bagels and fresh fruit, this was a great brunch!  It's also a great dinner!!

Crustless Mushroom and Feta Quiche

I'm baaaaaaaack!  I apologize that I've been hiding behind loads of wedding planning, school, work, and LIFE, but I'm hoping to be back in action!


When I made this recipe, I cut it, and only made a 3rd, which filled my two small casseroles you see in the picture.  I'm going to give you the recipe sized for a 9x13 pan, so you can make it for a brunch or for more than 2 people, like I was.

18 eggs (yes, 18  -- they're good for you!  and this is serving lots of people!)
4 tbsp milk, cream, or half and half
1 pound mushrooms, washed and sliced
1 small onion, diced
Olive oil
1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese (use the reduced fat -- I think it has a better flavor!)
2 tsp Lawry's season salt
Pepper (fresh ground or the powdery stuff)

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. 
Spray a glass or pottery 9x13 dish with nonstick spray.  (Don't use a metal dish -- gives the eggs a funny taste!)
Heat some olive oil in a saute pan.
Once heated, add the mushrooms and onions, and saute them for about 5 minutes, until the mushrooms are brown and the onions are soft.  Drain any liquid off the vegetables when finished cooking.
Spread your mushroom mixture over the bottom of the pan.  Cover with the crumbled feta cheese.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl with your milk (cream or half and half), season salt and pepper.
Pour over the mushroom mixture in your dish, and then stir if necessary to make sure the mushrooms and cheese are distributed evenly and deliciously. :)
Bake for 45 minutes.  Make sure the eggs are set, and the top will be starting to brown.
If you like, top with a little extra cheese on top -- I used just a small sprinkle of mozzarella.

My review:  Yummy!  What a delicious easy recipe that was fun to make, and delectable to eat!  I made this for a friend and I for dinner, and we both agreed that it was very good.  You could add more vegetables, too, if you like.  I think it would be good with some broccoli or zucchini.

Baked Bananas

This is like a lighter version of Bananas Foster, that gets all rich and buttery tasting, but contains no butter, and is very lowfat!

2 ripe bananas (they should be starting to get black speckles)
4 tsp honey
Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut bananas in half lengthwise.
Place in an oven safe dish.
Pour the honey over the bananas, and then sprinkle with cinnamon.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
Bake for 10-15 minutes.
Serve with ice cream, whipped cream, or in crepes.  Tastes just like bananas foster!

My review:  These were delicious!  I was looking for a way to use my over ripened bananas, and this was great.  I had mine with a scoop of frozen lowfat Cool Whip, but would like to try them in a sweet crepe, with some ice cream on the side.

Sausage Gravy and Biscuits

1 pound sausage (pork sausage, turkey sausage, chicken sausage, whatever)
1/2 onion, finely chopped
6 tbsp all-purpose flour
4 cups milk
1/2 tsp season salt
1/4 tsp salt
Squirt of Worcestshire sauce
Squirt of Tabasco
Fresh Ground Pepper, to taste
1 tube of Grands! Biscuits

Cook the sausage and onion until browned in a deep skillet.  Drain all drippings, except for a small amount (about 2-3 tbsp).  If you used chicken or turkey sausage, you may not have enough drippings, and will have to add a few tablespoons of butter.
Stir in the flour, and cook the mixture over low heat, stirring, until the mixture is bubbly and golden.
Stir in the milk and seasonings.  Cook on medium heat until thickened.
Serve with biscuits, cutting them in half, and topping with the sausage gravy.  If having this for dinner, I suggest peas to go with it.  It's weird, but believe me.

My review:  This is good comfort food.  My uncle makes the best I've ever had, but I like using this recipe when I make it.  The tabasco gives it just enough heat to make it interesting.

Breakfast Burritos!

This makes 2 burritos, so adjust to fit your crowd.  I usually make enough for 2, then refrigerate half to have the next morning.  This particular one contains mushrooms, red and green peppers, turkey sausage, and tomato.  I don't think I've ever made them the same way twice!


2 eggs
3 tbsp milk
1/4 tsp Tabasco sauce
1/4 tsp season salt
Sausage, ham, or bacon (cooked)
Your choice of sliced and diced veggies: green pepper, red pepper, onion, mushroom, tomato, baked potato, broccoli
2 burrito size tortillas
Cheese, if desired (American or Cheddar Jack are my faves)
Salsa if desired

In a tablespoon of olive oil, saute your veggies.  While they are cooking, crack your eggs into a bowl.  Add milk, tabasco, and season salt.  Whisk those puppies until the yolks are broken and your egg mixture is fluffy.  When your veggies are close to being cooked, add in your choice of meat.  Let the meat and veggies heat up.  Once everything is heated, add in your egg mixture and scramble.  When your eggs are fully cooked, top with cheese.  After your cheese is melted, split in half on a warm tortilla (microwave for 10 seconds).  Roll up and enjoy! 

Tip:  Saute your veggies and cook the meat the night before.  This leaves less preparation for the morning, and you can get out the door faster!  You can chop everything up and refrigerate in a container.  In the morning, just throw into your omelet pan to heat up, and then add your eggs!

My review:  These are so good, and a lighter version than what you can find at a fast food restaurant, not to mention CHEAPER!  I usually use whatever leftover veggies I may have from the night before.  It's a nice quick breakfast to start your day!

Cinnamon Sugar Crescent Bake

I love making this recipe, as both a dessert and a brunch recipe. It's easy, and incredibly delicious, especially paired with a big cup of coffee!

2 cans Crescent rolls
2 packages cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg, slightly beaten
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Unroll one can of crescent dough and press onto the bottom of a greased 13x9 pan. Press the seams together.
Beat the cream cheese, vanilla, egg, and 1/2 cup of the sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Spread onto the crust.
Unroll the other can of crescent dough onto wax paper and pat out to form a 13x9 rectangle and press the seams together. Invert over the cream cheese mixture to form a top crust.
Bake 30-35 minutes.
Combine cinnamon and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle over the top.

Store in the refrigerator, if you have leftovers.


My review: I already told you I love this, so stop bugging me! but seriously, you will like it too. But be careful, it's so good that the whole pan can disappear, even if you're the only one in the house!

Baked Oatmeal

I got myself all hot and bothered and hungry for breakfast earlier, so I thought I would finish it up and add another breakfast recipe...

2 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup milk
3 cups of quick cooking oats
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp baking powder
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups fresh fruit (whatever you like: peaches, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, or a mixture!)
Vanilla or plain yogurt, or cream, or milk



Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
In large mixing bowl, whisk up your 2 eggs, applesauce, sugar and milk. Once creamy, add oats, salt and baking powder and mix through. (If you are adding in any fruits, add 1 cup of them now!)
Pour batter into greased 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle top with brown sugar and cinnamon and the remaining fruit.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Don’t wait too long, as you want to serve it warm!
Top with your preferred topping: I like vanilla yogurt or milk. Or ice cream... (hey, i was in a pinch one morning, and I couldn't help it! it's dairy. kinda)


My review: I love this stuff. I love oatmeal. I can't help it. And it's so good in the summer when you have so many different fresh fruit choices for cheap. So enjoy!

Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

I love breakfast food. I would eat breakfast food for every meal if I could. Bacon, Sausage, Pancakes, Eggs, and French Toast, and everything amazing like that... So, obviously, I liked finding this recipe...


10 eggs
1 cup milk
1/8 cup favorite syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
about 12 thin slices of French bread
2 old spotty bananas
4 oz cream cheese
4 granny smith apples or any other favorite fruit that you're going to want to serve with your delicious french toast
Syrup


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
In large bowl, whisk eggs and milk. Whisk in syrup and cinnamon.
Using a mixer, blend bananas and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
In 8x8 baking dish, pour about 1/2 cup of egg mixture into the bottom of the dish, just enough to cover the bottom.
Place bread on top of egg mixture to cover as much of the dish as possible.
Spread banana/cream cheese over the top of the bread. Cover with more bread slices.
Pour the remaining egg/milk mixture over the top of the bread and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours, but all day or overnight would be the best idea. It gets all goopy and delicious then, and you won't regret it, I promise.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes when you're ready to dig in.
Slice apples or other favorite fruit.
Serve with syrup and sliced fruit.


My review: OMG. I love this. I love this very much. Please make this and enjoy this. It's freakin' yummy. For realz. Not even kidding you. You can even throw some blueberries or whatever in it to bake it up and give it lots of flavor. Go nuts. and then let me know what you did, and if it was good, and then I can try too!