Saturday, September 27, 2014

Recipe: Mini Breakfast Qiuches



While this sounds fancy it really isn't hard to make. I think this would be considered a quiche but I'm not completely sure.  These are great for a breakfast that you can make ahead and then reheat when you're getting ready in the morning. 

Tater tots- I used sweet potato tater tots
Eggs- whisked
Sauteed mushrooms and onions
Fillings- Anything you want.  Meat, veggies, tofu
Cheese- optional

In the bottom of a cupcake pan place about three tater tots in each space. Place in  a 400 oven for 10 to begin cooking. Once removed begin to load with different fillings. Add eggs once filled and sprinkle with cheese on top. Bake again for 20 minutes at 350, until the egg is cooked. Allow to cool some and enjoy or refrigerate to reheat in the morning.




A fruit salad I prepared to go along with breakfast for my family. We commonly put berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries), apples, and pear. Be careful with bananas. They can brown faster which can be unappealing if you have any leftovers.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cheesecake





This is a recipe I have altered from a Taste of Home magazine. Originally it was  a Mocha Chocolate Chip Cheesecake but since I'm not a coffee fan I've omitted all the coffee components.

Crust:
Photo credit: Sarah Rausch
1.5 cups chocolate wafer crumbs or graham crackers
1/3 cup sugar
6 Tbsp butter, melted
Filling:
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups mini chocolate chips

In an 8 inch spring form pan grease put a layer of aluminum foil on the base and grease the sides.
 In a large bowl combine the crumbs, sugar, and butter and press in to the bottom of the pan.
Cream together the cream cheese and the sugar until smooth. Combine with the cream and vanilla. Add the eggs and mix thoroughly.  Add some of the chocolate chips and mix well but leave some to sprinkle on top. Pour into the pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.
Place in a larger dish with approximately one inch of water and bake at 325 for 45-60 minutes. Allow to cool for about ten minutes, loosen the sides, and then refrigerate overnight.

Notes:
If you want to add the coffee flavor back into the recipe simply combine cream and 1 Tbsp coffee granules and cook until the granules have dissolved. Then allow to cool before mixing it in when the cream is normally added.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Recipe: Fruit Frozen Yogurt

This is by far one of the easiest things I have ever made and it is delicious too. First I made peach using the recipe I found on Just a Taste and that was good but then I decided to use the frozen fruit I had on hand. Now its strawberry and mixed berry I keep making.

Fresh out of the food processor
~12 oz frozen fruit- your choice
4 oz plain yogurt 
3 Tbsp. Honey or agave nectar
1 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice

Mix together in a food processor until smooth. Serve immediately or freeze for storage; I recommend freezing it so it can thicken and become a better consistency.

Notes:
Make sure to break the fruit apart well so that it can combine well. Cutting the strawberries helps it blend better and quicker.
The individual containers work too. It's six ounces of yogurt but it doesn't matter too much for this recipe.
Freezing it will change the flavor some. It's kind of weird but it lets the flavors come together better. However if it is frozen it too long it will have to sit out to thaw some.