Protein Smootie

Protein Smoothie

1 chobani strawberry greek yogurt

1/2 cup apple juice

1 tsp almond butter

1 scoop protein powder ** see below for my favorite

frozen strawberries

Mix the first 4 ingredients in blender.  Add in frozen strawberries and blend.

**my favorite protein powder in vanilla ice cream flavor of Syntha-6 (in a big red container and I get it at GNC)

Bubble Bread

Bubble Bread

1 loaf frozen bread

1 cup brown sugar

1 stick butter, melted

1 pkg instant butterscotch pudding

1/2 pint heavy whipping cream

Cut the frozen bread loaf into 24 pieces (while still frozen).  Put in a buttered bundt cake pan.

Mix brown sugar, butter, pudding and whipping cream and pour over bread chunks.  

Let rise to the top of pan.

Bake 30 minutes in 350 oven.

Turn over on platter while hot.  

Easy Peasy Danishes

These are super easy and yummy....great for a lazy Sunday morning or taking to an office brunch.

Easy Peasy Danishes

Filling Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla or Mexican Vanilla
1 Tbsp milk

Mix until smooth.

Other Ingredients
1 can of crescent rolls
1 can of pie filling (cherry, apple, etc)

Take 1 can of crescent rolls ....you can do this in triangles, spread out and cut into circles, get fancy and shape like a wreath or  candy cane....however you want.

Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.  Put the crescent roll on the  cookie sheet.  Put a dollop (big) of cream cheese mixture on each crescent shape and then put a spoon full of pie filling.

Cook at 375 for about 14 minutes (watch, I almost overcooked mine).


When they come out of the oven, drizzle them with a glaze made from powdered sugar and a little milk.

Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

I bought a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread from an Amish woman used it to make French Toast. It turned out really good.  Here's how I made it.

Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

1/4 cup flour
1 cup milk
dash salt
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp Mexican vanilla
1 tbsp. sugar

Mix ingredients in a large bowl. Soak bread in mixture, flip and let excess drip off.  Whisk mixture between dipping each piece of bread.

Use cooking spray or butter to grease your pan.  (I used an electric skillet)  Cook on medium until golden brown on each side. 

I served with butter and sugar free syrup.

Sweet Sausages

A few years ago Dan had to go to Mayo for some tests and I was able to go with him.  I was watching the Food Network in the hotel and saw the Paula Deen show.  She was making the most awesome recipes and I was looking them up as fast as I could before I forgot the recipe name.  When I got home I had Jennifer over and we tried this recipe.  It is ridiculously  easy and ridiculously good!

Sweet Sausages
Source: Paula Deen TV show

1 (16 oz) package smoked sausage
1 1/2 cups maple syrup

Cut sausage into 1 inch rounds.  Place in large skillet over medium heat and add the syrup.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low an simmer for 20 minutes.  Serve piping hot.

CROCK POT TIP:  You can also cook this in a crock-pot on low for 2 hours.

Stuffed French Toast Strata

This recipe comes from my best friend from school Jennifer.  It's a dreamy breakfast recipe, that you can make the night before then pop in the oven the next morning.

Stuffed French Toast Strata
Source: Jennifer Hoofnagle

1 lb French bread
8 oz cream cheese, cubed
8 eggs
2 1/2 cups of milk, cream, or half & half (she uses half & half)
6 tbsp. butter, melted
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon

Cut French bread loaf into cubes (about 12 cups).  Grease a 9x13 pan.  Place half of cubed bread in pan. Top with cream cheese cubes and then remaining bread crumbs.

With a mixer mix together the eggs, half & half, melted butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon until combined.  Pour the egg mixture over the bread.  Using a spatula press down to moisten.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2-24 hours.  Bake at 325* for 40-45 minutes or until center appears to be set and eggs are golden. Let stand for 10 minutes.  Makes 6-8 servings

Egg Casserole

My office has monthly staff meetings and we take turns bringing food.  Since our meeting is early we usually have breakfast type foods.  Sarah makes this delicious egg casserole.  It's sooooo good.

Egg Casserole
Source: Sarah Riggins

10 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
16 oz. cottage cheese
1 lb. Monterey Jack Cheese (shredded)
1/2 cup melted butter
2 (4 oz) cans diced green chilies (drained)

Blend eggs and then add in rest of ingredients.  Blend. Mix in chilies. Pour into well greased pan. Bake at 350* for 35 minutes.

Christmas Cowboy Quiche

Merry Christmas! I got up early and made breakfast for my family.  We had a breakfast casserole, caramel pecan bread, bacon, other snacks...and this new recipe I found on the Pioneer Woman's website.  Her recipe is called Cowboy Quiche: Pioneer Woman's Recipe: Click Here)

I made the quiche very plain because we have some picky eaters but when I make it again I may add in other ingredients to jazz it up.  I also cheated and used a store bought pie crust.  And I don't have a tart pan so I used a deep dish pie pan.   Below is what I made for our Christmas breakfast.

Christmas Cowboy Quiche
Source: Pioneer Woman

Unbaked Pie Crust (enough For A Deep Dish Pan)
1 whole Yellow Onion, Diced
2 Tablespoons Butter
8 slices Bacon
8 whole Large Eggs
1-1/2 cup Heavy Cream
Salt And Pepper, to taste
2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Press pie crust into a deep dish pie pan.

 

Fry the onions in the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat for at least 15 to 20 minutes (maybe longer), stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown. Set aside to cool.

 

Fry the bacon until chewy. Chop into large bite-sized pieces and set aside to cool.

 

Whip the eggs, cream, salt and pepper in a large bowl, then mix in the onions, bacon, and cheese. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.

 

Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet, cover lightly with aluminum foil, and bake it for about 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown.

 

 

Caramel Pecan Bread

For our family's Christmas breakfast I tried a few new recipes.  This recipe I found on a blog and it was really quick to throw together.  It will be making a repeat performance next Christmas.

Caramel Pecan Bread

7 tbsp. butter, melted
1 jar (12 oz) caramel ice cream topping
1 cup chopped pecans
1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls (I used Pillsbury Flaky Caramel Rolls)

Preheat oven 350*.  Combine melted butter, caramel, and pecans.  Cut each roll/biscuit into 4 pieces.  Toss into caramel mixture and mix well.  Spoon mixture into a pie pan.  Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown.

Pioneer Woman's Sleepin' In Omelette Casserole

This is one of the first Pioneer Woman recipes I tried...loved...and have made many times over the last few years.  I make it every Christmas morning. 

Please go to PW's blog to see her beautiful pictures, her other recipes, and just enjoy her sense of humor.  I feel like I know her just from reading her blog.  http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/05/sleepin-in-omlette/

I'm adding her recipe to my blog because my intention is to gather all the recipes I make routinely here so that I can convert it into a cookbook for my daughter. 

Sleepin' In Omelette Casserole

Source: Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 6 whole Onion Rolls
• 1 cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
• 8 ounces, weight Cream Cheese
• 1-1/2 stick Butter
• 10 whole Eggs
• 2 cups Milk
• 1 teaspoon Chopped Chives
• 1/2 teaspoon Dry Mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 dash Cayenne Pepper

Preparation Instructions

Generously butter an 9x13 baking dish.
Tear onion rolls into chunks and place them in the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, then tear cream cheese into small pieces and place over the top. Cut 1 ½ sticks butter into pats and place over the top.
Mix remaining ingredients and pour over the top of the dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
The next morning, bake at 325 degrees, covered, for 45 minutes. The remove foil and continue baking at 350 for 10-15 minutes. 

 

Christmas Bacon

I worked with a lady named Nancy Zarr and she was one of the nicest and most spunky ladies I've ever met!   Luckily she shared some of her recipes with me before she retired from Burrell.  This recipe is super easy...and always a crowd pleaser.  It's great for Christmas parties!

Christmas Bacon
Source: Nancy Zarr

You take bacon and dip it in brown sugar.  Bake 15-20 minutes in a 400* oven on a rack over a sheet tray.

Chocolate Gravy

A lot of people have never had chocolate gravy….and if they haven’t they usually turn up their nose and think I’m crazy…but my Dad used to make it for me as a kid on Snow Days.  I’ve not had it since I was a kid.  I'm not exactly sure how Dad made his gravy; it wasn’t quite as good as Dad’s but was pretty close.  I don’t know if his recipe was different or if’s just the memory of my Dad making it.

Chocolate Gravy

1 ½ cups milk

1-2 Tbsp Cornstarch – add a little at a time to thicken

2 tbsp cocoa

½ cup sugar

 

Cook on medium heat until it boils.  Boil & let thicken.  Remove from heat and add 1 tsp vanilla.

 

Serve on hot biscuits.

Breakfast Casserole

I think I may have perfected my breakfast casserole recipe.  I made this for an office meeting and everyone loved it. 

I buttered the pan....big mistake because it stuck like crazy and I had to scrub and scrub and was tempted to throw the pan out the window.  Next time I'll try spraying with Pam cooking spray to see if that helps.

Breakfast Casserole

6 eggs
1 cup half and half
3 tbsp green onions, chopped
salt and pepper
1 tsp ground mustard
2-3 dashes of hot sauce
1 pound pork sausage
1 block cream cheese
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/2 stick butter
Texas toast

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a 12x10 baking pan.  Line the pan with Texas toast, cutting pieces as needed to completely cover the bottom.

Cook the sausage and when almost done add the block of cream cheese and melt.  Stir and cook until melted.  Let cool slightly and then cover the bread with the sausage mixture.

In a small bowl, beat the eggs.  Add half and half. Add green onions, salt, pepper, ground mustard and hot sauce.  Mix well and pour over the entire pan.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Cut the butter into pats and spread over the cheese.  Cover with foil, put in fridge and let sit overnight.

Bake 30-40 minutes on 350

(double the recipe for a large 11x15 pan)

Gorilla Bread

Monday evening Jennifer and Colton came over for a dinner play date.  Jen and I decided to try a new recipe from Paula Deen. 

It was so good, that we didn't get pictures....too busy fighting Dan off from it. LOL

Here's the recipe as we made it....we used the Grands biscuits since that is what I already had and we used pecans instead of walnuts. 

Gorilla Bread
Source: Paula Deen

1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp cinnamon
1 stick butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 (8oz) package of cream cheese
1 large can of Grands style biscuits (or 2 cans of the 10 count smaller biscuits)
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans (or walnuts)

Preheat oven to 350.

Spray a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup of nuts into the bottom of the bundt pan.

Cut the cream cheese into 20 small squares.

If using the large Grands biscuits, cut each biscuit in half.

In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon.

Microwave the stick of butter in a glass bowl until melted and stir in the brown sugar.

Take the biscuits and dip in the sugar mixture, covering both sides.  Place a piece of cream cheese in the middle of each biscuit then wrap and seal.

Place 1/2 the biscuits in the pan.  Then sprinkle on some of the sugar. Then put 1/2 the butter mixture. Then put the remaining biscuits, sugar, butter, and remaining nuts.

Bake for 30 minutes. Let sit about 5 minutes, then place a plate on top and invert.