28 Nov 2010

Overnight Maple Cranberry Steel-Cut Oats

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This has been, and will be, my breakfast. My friend, Tasya, gave me the recipe, so I made it while my parents were here, and am still enjoying it. I doubled the recipe because I have a 6 qt crockpot, but for all you 2-4 qt crockpot peeps, this recipe is as is.

1 1/2 cups steel-cut oats (Irish oats, McCann’s, etc)
4 3/4 cups water
3/4 cup maple syrup (not pancake syrup, this is much less flavorful and more watery than real maple syrup)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c dried cranberries
1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. salt

Stir together in crockpot, turn on low for 6-7 hours. Enjoy. I topped mine with cool whip and/or milk. Other additives would be walnuts, chopped dried apples, dried pears…

9 Nov 2010

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

by | posted in: winter | 0
Need a new way to delish-up your cold fall mornings? This may be able to help you get out of bed on those cold, winter (or late fall) mornings. Or just bring it back to bed and enjoy eating it snuggled under a good, warm down.

Serves 3-4

1.5 cups water (or milk)
1 cup pumpkin
3/4 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup oats
Toppings: agave nectar, brown sugar (if you want), milk, cool whip

Bring water, pumpkin, vanilla, and spice to a boil. Add in oats and cook for 7-10 minutes.
Serve in a bowl, topped with milk, agave nectar (need a good squirt or two because other wise its not sweet enough) and a dollup of cool whip.

13 Sep 2010

Taste of Kill Devil Hills: Jolly Roger

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Breakfast. A pirate Christmas concoction known for its plate-sized pancakes and its crab eggs benedict. Yes, you heart me right. Pirates singing Christmas carols. Almost. This place reminded me of Lynn’s Paradise Cafe in Louisville just because of its wacky decor – but even for me, Lynn’s had better food.
I will tell you that even though I’m not a fan of eggs benedict, my friend had the best thing on the menu when he ordered the Crabs Egg Benedict. Very yummy – I’m grateful for my bite.
I had the jolly roger breakfast – 2 egg (over medium), grits, bacon (not the best) and a pancake – literally the size of an over-sized dinner plate. Good, but only ate half.
So, if you want a good cheap breakfast – go here. And you can pick up some pirate’s booty while you are there.

13 Sep 2010

Our State #6: Sunrise Biscuit Co. (Oxford)

by | posted in: Festivals, food, Uncategorized | 0
Heading north on HWY 50 gave us opportunity to hit up Our State Top 100 Number 6 on Saturday. Oxford, a little quaint town about 35 minutes north of Raleigh, was having its Hot Sauce Festival that day. I can’t imagine how dead the downtown would have been without the festival, but this restaurant I’m sure still would have been packed out.
Then line in Sunrise Biscuit Company never got any shorter while we were there, people just kept coming in. It was about 8:30am on a Saturday morning – people having more leisure mornings without having to rush off to work.
To be honest, this wasn’t the best biscuit I’ve ever had in my life. I’d rather have Bojangles any day of the week. The grits had no flavor and even after I put the salt and pepper in it – still they didn’t do anything for me. The biscuit was decent – but the sausage was better.
So…I think I’ll stick to Bojangles. But, the closest one to downtown Oxford was about 10 minutes. So…if you want a cup of coffee and a biscuit for a cheap price – you can go there.

28 Jul 2010

Honey Granola

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Granola is probably the thing I make most in my kitchen (save cookies and egg white sandwiches). I always like trying new recipes. This one is a winner. I started with a recipe from Joy of Baking and tweaked it. Turned out great.

3 cups oats
1/2 cup whole raw almonds (I buy in the bulk bins at WF and just keep in my freezer)
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pepitas
1/2 T wheat germ
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/3 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup honey
2 T light brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup dried cherries

Mix dry. Melt over low heat wet and sugar. Toss together. Bake on rimmed cooking sheet (sprayed) at 325 for 10 minutes x 4. I like to set the timer for 10 minutes and stir or I will forget about it. Don’t let it get burnt – nothing worse in granola than burnt almonds.
Add in the cherries when granola is cooled completely.

24 May 2010

Foster's Savory Bread Pudding with Sausage and Spinach

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Truly, I’m not a huge fan of breakfast casseroles. They are all pretty similar to me and I’d rather have grits and eggs or pancakes/waffles/french toast. So, when I got to make two this wknd, I had to look for recipes. I made one called Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole, which was good – just needed more salt.  I stillneeded one more.  I knew I wanted it to be stellar.  Sara did NOT disappoint!

Savory Bread Pudding with Sausage and Spinach (9×13 pan)

evoo

1 large yellow onion, diced

1/2 lb country sausage

6 oz of fresh baby spinach (2/3 of a bag)

2.5 cups skim milk

2 T dijon mustard

salt/pepper to taste

8 eggs

6 cups french bread (day old, 3/4 loaf of Harris Teeter french bread)

2 1/2 cup Italian shredded cheese

1 T dried italian herbs (or fresh of your choice)

Saute onion in evoo.  While doing that, crack eggs.  Add sausage to pan, break up and brown.  While doing that, cube bread. 

Add spinach to pan and saute till just wilted.  Drain liquid.  Combine eggs, milk, cheeses, mustard, spices.  Soak bread in that.  Add rest.  Pour into 9×13 sprayed pan.  Let sit over night in fridge.  Sit out for 20 minutes in morning (while your oven heats).  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes till lightly browned on top.  Serve!

This is creamy, subtly nutty from cheeses, not too greasy or heavy, and superb taste.  

16 May 2010

Power Breakfast (or lunch or dinner)

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My friend, Cynthia, gave me this idea.  Her and her husband would eat this as a powerful way to fuel in the morning.  I just ate some for a quick dinner before heading to church – after a 4 mile jaunt.

I’ve never been one for cottage cheese, that’s my mother.  But, I can eat it like this.  This is high in protein, whole grains, and low in calories and fat.  Top it with fruit and you’ve got a winner!  Remember to drink plenty of water to help feeling full and digestion!  And to hydrate!

1//4 cup low-fat small curd cottage cheese

1/4 cup ff vanilla yogurt

1/4 cup rolled oats

fruit (today I used 1/4 peach and 2 T blueberries)

agave nectar – just a swirl – not much

Mix all and eat.  Delicious!

2 Apr 2010

Baked Grits – 2010.13

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My Dad is from the South and he loves grits. So, when I knew he was staying for a few days to help me get settled here in Raleigh, I knew I wanted to make this recipe. I halved the recipe and glad I did because their serving sizes are huge! This was rich, creamy, nutty (due to Parm cheese). So good. Cooking Light has a winner here.

2 cups milk (I used skim, in a glass, from a local farm: delish)
2 cups water
pinch of salt
3/4 cup quick cooking grits (scant, I just like them thicker)
2 oz grated parm cheese (about 2/3 cup)
2 1/2 egg whites
pinch of black pepper
2 T chopped fresh chives
pinch of salt

Bring milk, water, and salt to boil. Stir in grits, turn down to simmer, cover and let cook, stirring occassionally, for 8 minutes. Meanwhile, grate cheese, seperate egg whites, chop chives.
Whisk egg whites to stiff peaks (don’t over beat) with pinch of salt. Add chives, pepper, and salt to grits when they are done. Fold in the egg whites (don’t deflate them). Pour in greased 8×8 pan and bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes. Lightly browned, little wobbly in middle.
Enjoy. I cooked some eggs and decorate the plate with remaining chives.
About 200 calories – and worth it!
12 Mar 2010

Lumberjack Hash – 2010.10

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I had everything I needed for this in my fridge/freezer – which is good because I’m trying to clean it out (it is slowly working, I promise)
This was good, I changed it a little bit – but it still needed more salt I think (I didn’t put in extra in b/c of the saltiness of the ham). This is a Cooking Light recipe (best of 2004) and is 6 WW points as directed (mine probably evened out)

2 T evoo
1 medium onion, chopped
1 orange pepper, seeded and chopped
24 oz shredded hash brown potatoes, frozen
pepper to taste (salt if you want more)
2 2 oz ham steaks, chopped
1 cup 2% sharp cheddar

Saute onion for about 4 minutes, add pepper. Add in rest (not cheese). Cook until slightly browned and potatoes are done.
Smooth out in large frying pan – top with cheese. Let cheese melt. Divide by 4 and plate up. Becca brought some Plant City strawberries and a banana. And I have 2 servings leftover for Sunday and Tuesday!

9 Mar 2010

Taste of Nashville: Pfunky Griddle

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What a neat place in a very popular and cool city.
A new friend took me here and I loved it. Walked in the door, the iCarly co-star was there (I didn’t know it was her till I asked), they invited me to just help myself to the coffee.
This place was very interactive. You got to make your own food! Now, most people would not want to pay to make their own food, but I thoroughly loved it.
They had an organic 5 grain and a homestyle white pancake batter, we got mashed potatoes (for fried cakes), and I got some bacon. Vermon syrup was on the table and I got crunchy peanut butter as my topping.
Let’s just say Amy and I ate our fair share of pancakes and potatoes (and bacon).
If you are ever in the Nashville/Brentwood area – off 65 at exit 81 – you must go. Fabulous prices, vegetarian options for lunch, and great staff!