Steel Cut Oats

(google stock photo)

I struggle with breakfast. I am just as happy having my protein shake EVERY SINGLE DAY. My kids really have suffered because of it. I make breakfast maybe once a month (although my last 2 posts have been breakfast....maybe turning over a new leaf?). Keaton (the boy who will eat and enjoy anything) does not eat hot cereal. I grew up on the stuff. I have not been able to find any he really loves (I have tried adding cocoa, brown sugar, honey.....all 3...no luck). We were watching good eats on Steel Cut Oats. Keaton said, "Mom that looks GOOD". I never pass up a chance like that so we made it. He loved it and so did the little one year old lady. Alton B. adds a lot of cream. I used skim milk and I am glad I did. It worked fine and saved a ton of calories, and fat.

Here is how to make the best bowl of Oatmeal EVER:

Saute:

1 cup oats

1 Tbsp butter

While that is sauteing boil 3 cups water. My water was boiling right as the oats got really toasty. Add the water to the saute pan (there will be lots of bubbles). Stir a bit, turn down to a simmer, cover and let cook for 1/2 hour.

After the 1/2 hour add 1 cup skim milk and gently stir every so often with the end of a wooden spoon. Cook about 10 minutes or until a nice creamy consistency (about 5 for me).

LASTLY add 1/2 tsp salt (be sure you don't add before or it won't be creamy). We topped with real maple and cinnamon. Keaton had seconds :)

Super Fast Skillet Quiche

(picture from Prudence Pennywise)

I am not one to make breakfast. For some reason most breakfast foods make me feel sick so I usually stick to a protein shake. This morning I was inspired and made this for Keaton and I. Ooooh Lala! Keaton said, "Mom you really should be the Next Food Network Star". If only he knew I stole the recipe from Prudence Pennywise the great. Remember to use just a small 6" skillet.

I made mine with french goat cheese, garden tomato's (sliced thin then drained on a paper towel), and fresh basil. I made Keaton's with garden tomato, Monterrey Jack cheese, and thin slice avocado. I used Panko for both. They were heavenly. Head on over to Prudence Pennywise to get the full directions. Enjoy!

Dutch baby!

I have a wonderful Aunt Lynn. She is always doing thoughtful things for me. She sent us a package the other day. Isn't that the best when you get a box you weren't expecting? She included a bunch of old Cooking Light magazines (my favorite magazine), some special Halloween prizes for Keaton and THIS lovely cookbook. I said, "why would she do such a nice thing"? Keaton answered (matter of factly), "well she met me and she really likes me". I guess he is right!
I was thumbing through this book this morning and found a recipe for a dutch baby. I have never made one so I thought it would be a nice Sunday morning breakfast (the rest of the week I have a protein shake and toast).
This recipe calls for pears. I did not have pears (although I think they would have been great) so I did apples and added some cinnamon. The only thing I think I would change was I would have done one more apple. The thing I really loved was it didn't raise my blood sugar too high. It doesn't have much sugar for being pancake like and the three eggs give it a lot of protein. It was easy and yum, click here to check it out.

Better then Mickey Dee's!

Usually Sunday morning Lee makes breakfast. I am thrilled for the morning off but he usually makes pancakes, waffles, etc. They always taste real good but an hour into church or so I am HUNGRY. Not too mention the sugar gives me a headache and makes me tired.

Can I tell you about my guilty pleasure? I LOVE MC D's sausage egg mcmuffin. When I saw Rachel Ray doing Chicken sausage sandwiches I thought I would have to try it on Sunday and see how it goes. We loved them. I made a triple batch of the sausage and then froze them flat so we can have them on another Sunday for a quicker breakfast. With the chicken breast sausage and egg beaters it is much lighter then Mc D's I am sure. Keaton and I didn't have cheese, but you can. My second batch of sausage I grilled a little longer. That is what is on the plate next to it.

Breakfast Chicken Sausage
-1 pound ground chicken breast (I took a whole chicken breast and took it for a spin in my food processor (Associated has boneless skinless for $1.57 a pound so it was a much better deal))
-1 small Macintosh apple peeled and finely chopped (I used a green apple stolen off the limb of my neighbors tree hanging in my yard :)
-1/4 cup maple syrup (I am WAY too poor to afford maple syrup....I used maple flavor pancake syrup)
-1 TBSP grill seasoning blend (I used Montreal...it had a bit of a bite to it, Keaton the 3 year old was fine but if your kids are picky you might want to cut it back just a bit)
-1 tsp Poultry Seasoning (seriously I have had this in my cupboard FOREVER and have never used it...yahoo I finally had a use for it)
-1/2 tsp Cinnamon
-1/4 tsp nutmeg

Combine all with your hands (I know sick make your husband do it). Patty it out into 4 patties (this was her thing, I would do them thinner next time. I still got way more out of it then her).
Cook 5 minutes on each side (I used my new indoor Food Network grill). Put on a buttered toasted English muffin with a scrambled egg, and cheese if desired (Lee melted his cheese and it was much better). Hope you like it, be sure to leave a comment if you make it (or think about making it :).

Perfect Oatmeal

This is a Tyler Florence Special. It is so good without and sweetener. It is a great idea for a "special breakfast" and is still really healthy.
Put in a pot on medium heat for 7-8 minutes until creamy and tender:
1 cup of oatmeal (I used old fashioned rolled)
2 cups unsweetened apple juice
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
2 Tbsp butter

Toppings:
banana
blueberries (I used frozen)
toasted coconut
applesauce
skim milk

It is fun for kids to pick out which healthy toppings they like. Keaton picked them all...me too :)