Charlotte's Kitchen » Breakfast

Our new favorite pancakes

Char — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:12:37 +0000

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t like pancakes? If so, I’ve never met them. If you are one of those few and far between people who just never developed a taste for these round delights, you need to give this recipe a try.

Most people have never had real homemade pancakes. By that I mean pancakes that don’t come from a box. Well I’ve found a great recipe that’s easy to make, and they taste MUCH BETTER than any box mix I’ve tasted.

Buttermilk Pancakes

Recipe type: Breakfast

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 4 mins

Total time: 14 mins

An easy to make delicious pancake recipe that uses both baking soda and baking powder.

Ingredients

1 & 1/4 cups of flour
1/4 cup of sugar
1 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups of buttermilk

Directions

Add the wet ingredients and mix well with a mixer, NOT by hand.
Add the dry ingredients individually while mixing, saving the sugar and flour for last. Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time and mix before adding the next 1/2 cup.
Heat your pan/griddle to medium-high.
Spray you pan/griddle with cooking spray.
Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pancake mix to the pan and cook about 2 minutes per side.
If you like them, you can add chocolate chips, blueberries, etc. to the pancake once it’s in the pan.

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An easy twist to a favorite dish

Char — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 03:57:18 +0000

I’ve talked before about biscuits and sausage gravy and what a great, easy breakfast or supper that it makes. Well I’m going to share with you a much faster way to make it, for those times when you don’t have a lot of time.

Normally, I make my biscuits from scratch and the gravy is slow cooked with a lot of spices added. Not with this recipe. This one is a fast easy recipe for when you are running late or have to eat and run.

Fast Easy Biscuits and Gravy

Recipe type: Main

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 20 mins

A fast and easy biscuits and gravy recipe

Ingredients

1 Lb ground sausage – we like Sage
5 TB flour
2 1/2 C milk
Frozen Biscuits (as many as desired)

Directions

Put the biscuits in the oven to bake. Depending on the kind you are using, they may be done before the gravy. That’s OK, it gives them a little time to cool.
Brown the sausage in a large frying pan. DO NOT DRAIN.
Add the flour and coat the sausage
Turn the heat to medium and add about 1 1/2 cups milk.
As it starts to thicken up add more milk, a little at a time, to get it to the consistency you like.
The final amount of milk used will vary depend on the thickness you want.

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Turkey Bacon Quiche

Char — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

This healthy quiche recipe makes a great breakfast or dinner. Unlike most quiche recipes, which are heavy on the fat ingredients, this one uses low and reduced fat ingredients to make a delicious meal.

Ingredients
6 strips lean turkey bacon
3 eight-inch whole wheat tortillas
3 whole eggs
8 egg whites (or 1 c egg substitute)
½ c skim milk
½ c low-fat sour cream
¾ reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
1 c broccoli florets

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cook turkey bacon according to package directions. Set aside to cool.
3. Lightly coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray. Overlap 2 tortillas and cut the third one in half to form a crust
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat whole eggs and egg whites with a fork or whisk until well blended. Mix skim milk and sour cream into the eggs.
5. Chop cooked turkey bacon into bite size pieces
6. Add turkey, bacon, cheese, and broccoli to blended egg mixture, combine thoroughly
7. Pour egg mixture into tortilla-lined pie plate and bake for about 50 minutes. Tap the edge of the pie plate. When the filling is set and moist but not liquid, it is done.
8. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing into portions.

Golden Pancakes

Char — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Everybody loves pancakes but why just open a box and add water. Add some variety to your breakfast with these easy to make golden pancakes. Just follow the recipe and your family will be raving over them. You don’t have to tell them that these are a lot healthier than those box mixes.

Ingredients
1 c uncooked whole-grain oats
6 egg whites
1 c fat-free cottage cheese
¼ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
2 packets sugar substitute
½ c sugar-free maple syrup
¼ c mixed berries

Directions
1. Lightly coat a nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray and place over medium heat

2. In a blender, combine oats, egg whites, cottage cheese, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar substitute. Blend on medium speed about 1 minute until smooth.

3. Pour batter about ¼ c at a time onto hot skillet. Cook pancake until bubbly on top and dry around the edges – about 3 minutes. Turn and cook the other side until golden brown – about 2 more minutes

4. While pancakes are cooking, microwave maple syrup until warm – about 20 seconds

5. Place a portion of pancakes on 2 separate plates, top with warm maple syrup and mixed berries.

Quick French Toast

Char — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Who doesn’t love french toast? Here’s a french toast recipe that really hits the trifecta. It’s easy to make, tastes delicious and best of all, it’s healthy.

Ingredients
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 packet artificial sweetener
1 tablespoon skim milk
1 slice bread

Directions
1. Place all ingredients except bread in a blender; blend until combined.

2. Pour egg mixture into a shallow bowl. Place bread in egg mixture and soak, turning once.

3. Coat a nonstick skillet with vegetable cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Place bread in skillet and pour any remaining egg mixture over bread. Cook until browned on bottom; then turn over to brown other side.

Zesty Cheddar-Asparagus Quiche

Char — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Quiche is one of those dishes that if you’ve never made one, they seem like they would be hard to make. Give this recipe a try and you’ll find out just how easy it is to make a healthy breakfast quiche that your family will love.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon plain dry breadcrumbs
8 ounces small all-purpose potatoes, peeled and very thinly sliced
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound asparagus, trimmed
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
3 scallions, sliced
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated fat-free milk
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions
1. Heat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with vegetable cooking spray and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Beginning in center, arrange potato slices in slightly overlapping circles up to rim. Lightly brush with olive oil and press down gently. Bake 10 minutes.

2. Set 8 to 12 asparagus spears aside. Cut remaining spears into 1-inch pieces.

3. Sprinkle crust with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup cheddar. Cover with asparagus pieces, then sprinkle with scallions and another 1/4 cup cheese. Arrange whole asparagus spears on top.

4. Beat evaporated milk, eggs, egg whites, butter, mustard, pepper, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Pour into pie plate and sprinkle with remaining cheddar. Bake until a knife inserted in center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.

5. Divide into 6 slices. One serving equals 1 slice.

Egg-White Omelet With Vegetable-Cheddar Filling

Char — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Here’s a healthy and easy to make recipe for a delicious egg-white omelet that will have your family begging for more.

Ingredients
3 large egg whites
1 teaspoon water
2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill (optional)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup loosely packed thinly sliced fresh spinach
1 plum tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons shredded nonfat cheddar cheese
Vegetable cooking spray

Directions
1. Whisk egg whites, water, dill (if using), salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Toss spinach, tomato, and cheddar together in a small bowl.

2. Lightly coat an omelet pan or small skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat 1 minute. Pour egg mixture into pan and cook until eggs begin to set on bottom.

3. Spread filling over half of omelet, leaving a 1/2-inch border and reserving 1 tablespoon mixture for garnish. Lift up omelet at edge nearest handle and fold in half, slightly off-center, so filling peeks out. Cook 2 minutes. Slide omelet onto a serving plate and garnish with reserved filling.

Brown Sugar-Cinnamon Pancakes

Char — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Let’s be honest, everybody loves pancakes but they aren’t necessarily the healthiest thing you can serve your family for breakfast. These delicious pancakes are both delicious and healthy. Give them a try and I’m sure your family will be asking for more.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup raisin bran cereal
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 cups unsweetened applesauce

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, cereal, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and half of the cinnamon. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, and oil. Add to flour mixture. Stir just until combined but still slightly lumpy.
2. Heat a lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat until a few drops of water dance across the surface. For each pancake, pour a scant 1/4 cup batter onto the hot griddle.
3. Cook over medium heat until pancakes are golden brown, turning when pancake surfaces are bubbly and edges are slightly dry (about 1 to 2 minutes per side). Serve immediately, or keep warm in a loosely covered ovenproof dish in a 200°F oven for up to 30 minutes. Serve topped with applesauce and remaining 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Potato and Sausage Frittata

Char — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Frittata? That’s what I thought the first time I came across a recipe for a frittata. I thought I’d give it a try and everybody loved it. Since then I’ve tried all kinds of different recipes for it. This one uses potatoes and sausage to make a great breakfast for your family.

Ingredients:

6 oz bulk sausage
4 cups frozen hash brown potatoes
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed, if desired
1/2 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz)

Directions:

1. Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat. Add sausage; cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink. Remove sausage from skillet; drain on paper towels. Return sausage to skillet. Gently stir in potatoes.
2. In small bowl, mix egg product and remaining ingredients except cheese until well blended. Pour egg mixture evenly over potato mixture; cover and cook over medium-low heat 10 minutes.
3. Uncover; cook 5 to 8 minutes longer or until egg mixture is set but still moist on top. Remove from heat. Sprinkle cheese over top. Let stand 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut into wedges to serve.

Raspberry and Cinnamon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

Char — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:55:10 +0000

Here’s a tasty coffee cake that makes a great way start your day. This one would be perfect for Christmas or New Years morning.

Cake

2-1/2 cups
3/4 cups
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cold
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup sour cream
1 egg
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Filling

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp Watkins Vanilla Extract
1 egg
1/2 cup raspberry preserves

Glaze (optional) – you probably won’t need this much for the glaze

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 tbsp water

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and cinnamon; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Remove 1/2 cups of crumbs for topping. To remaining crumb mixture add baking powder, baking soda, salt, sour cream, egg and vanilla extract; blend well. Spread batter over bottom of 8 x 8-inch baking pan.

For Filling: In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and eggs; blend well. Pour over batter in pan. Carefully spoon preserves evenly over filling. Sprinkle 1 cup of reserved crumbs over preserves. Bake before adding glaze.

For Glaze: combine powdered sugar, water and vanilla, drizzle on top of coffee cake.

Bake at 350 F for 45 to 50 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

Makes 8 servings.