Monday's Menu; Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Katherine Victoria Vananderland
- Aug 29, 2021
- 12 min read
This is a wonderful, colorful casserole that everyone enjoys. I'm sure you'll be hooked on it after one bite, too. —Jennifer Unsell, Vance, Alabama
Ingredients
2 medium sweet red peppers, julienned
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, julienned
1 large red onion, sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium yellow summer squash, thinly sliced
2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
6 large eggs, room temperature
8 slices bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 6 cups), divided
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
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Directions
In a large skillet, saute peppers and onion in 1 Tbsp. oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain; pat dry and set aside. In the same skillet, saute the yellow squash, zucchini and mushrooms in remaining 2 Tbsp. oil until tender. Drain; pat dry and set aside.
Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, cream, salt and pepper until smooth. Beat in eggs. Stir in vegetables, half of the bread cubes and Swiss cheese. Arrange the remaining bread cubes in a greased 10-in. springform pan. Place on a baking sheet. Pour egg mixture into pan.
Bake, uncovered, until set and a thermometer reads 160°, 80-95 minutes. Let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving. Run a knife around sides of pan to loosen; remove sides. Cut into wedges.
Nutrition Facts 1 piece: 453 calories, 31g fat (15g saturated fat), 202mg cholesterol, 938mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
When I want something special to serve my guests for a Saturday or Sunday brunch, I turn to this recipe. It never fails. It's wonderful during the spring and early summer because the blueberries are particularly good this time of year. —Patricia C. Quinn, Omaha, Nebraska
Ingredients
4 cups cubed French bread (about eight 1/2-in. slices)
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 cartons (8 ounces each) mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
10 slices French bread (1 inch thick)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half cream
1 cup whole milk
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional confectioners' sugar
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Additional fresh blueberries, optional
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Directions
In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, layer bread cubes and blueberries. In a small bowl, beat mascarpone cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth; drop by tablespoonfuls over blueberries. Top with bread slices. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, cream, milk, granulated sugar and vanilla; pour over bread. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°. Remove French toast from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Bake, uncovered, 30-40 minutes longer or until puffed and golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Dust with additional confectioners' sugar; sprinkle with almonds. If desired, serve with additional blueberries.
Editor's Note To toast nuts, bake in a shallow pan in a 350° oven for 5-10 minutes or cook in a skillet over low heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Nutrition Facts 1 piece: 575 calories, 37g fat (17g saturated fat), 232mg cholesterol, 368mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein.
Hash browns make a fabulous crust for these individual egg quiches. They look fancy yet they're easy to make. They've been a hit at holiday brunches and other special occasions.—Kate Meyer, Brentwood, Tennessee
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 pound sliced baby portobello mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (about 1 pound), thawed
7 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
2 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
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Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat; saute mushrooms and shallots until tender. Add garlic and seasonings; cook and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream and basil.
Press about 1/4 cup potatoes onto bottom and up sides of each of 12 greased muffin cups. Fill each with about 2 tablespoons beaten egg. Top with mushroom mixture, cheese and bacon.
Bake until eggs are set, 15-18 minutes.
Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 105 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 191mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 medium-fat meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
I served this crustless quiche at a church lunch, and I had to laugh when one guy told me how much he disliked vegetables. Many people were surprised by how much they loved this veggie-filled quiche recipe—and he was one of them! —Melinda Calverley, Janesville, Wisconsin
Ingredients
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
2/3 cup finely chopped fully cooked ham
5 large eggs
3 cups shredded Muenster or Monterey Jack cheese
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Directions
In a large skillet, saute onion and mushrooms in oil until tender. Add spinach and ham; cook and stir until the excess moisture is evaporated. Cool slightly. Beat eggs; add cheese and mix well. Stir in spinach mixture and pepper; blend well. Spread evenly into a greased 9-in. pie plate or quiche dish. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Crustless Quiche Recipe Tips Is a frittata the same as a crustless quiche? The difference between a frittata and a crustless quiche comes down to the ingredients. Fritatta recipes typically call for eggs and very little additional dairy, while quiche recipes (whether crustless or with a crust) usually include milk, cream or half-and-half in addition to eggs. As a result, frittatas are often more like an omelet in texture while quiches are more like a savory, creamy egg pie. The two are also baked in different pans: frittatas are often baked in an oven-safe skillet, quiches in a pie pan.Why is my crustless quiche watery? Crustless quiche "comes together" in the oven as the egg proteins bind from the heat, but this process also squeezes out water. The key to preventing a soggy quiche is to cook it slowly and possibly remove it from the oven early—while the center is still a touch wobbly—so that residual heat can finish the cooking. Also make sure to cook out, dry or remove any excess moisture from your mix-ins (such as vegetables and meats), which could also contribute to a soggy quiche.How do you keep a crustless quiche from sticking? Generously grease the pie plate you are cooking your crustless quiche in to ensure an easy release and minimal sticking. A good cooking spray or healthy slathering of butter should do the trick!Can you freeze a crustless quiche? Yes! After baking, allow your crustless quiche to cool completely. Wrap the quiche tightly in plastic wrap, followed by foil, then freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, unwrap the quiche, place it back in the pie plate, and heat it in the oven until thawed and completely heated through. Research contributed by Mark Neufang, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant
Nutrition Facts 1 piece: 251 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 164mg cholesterol, 480mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
Piping hot and puffy from the oven, this golden pancake made a pretty presentation for a skier's theme breakfast I hosted. Served with homemade buttermilk syrup, it's an eye-opening treat. Make several German pancakes if you're feeding a crowd, and keep in mind that my easy syrup tastes great on waffles and French toast, too. —Renae Moncur, Burley, Idaho
Ingredients
6 large eggs
1 cup 2% milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, melted
BUTTERMILK SYRUP:
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1-1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar
Fresh blueberries, optional
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Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Place first 4 ingredients in a blender; process just until smooth.
Pour melted butter into a 13x9-in. baking dish; tilt dish to coat. Add batter; bake, uncovered, until puffed and golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, place butter, sugar, buttermilk, corn syrup and baking soda in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, 7 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
Remove pancake from oven. Dust with confectioners' sugar; serve immediately with syrup and, if desired, fresh blueberries.
Health Tip: The pancake itself is just 150 calories and 7g fat. For a nutritious spin, fill it with sautéed fresh fruit and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, or go savory with some leftover cubed turkey, gravy and herbs.
Nutrition Facts 1 piece pancake with 1/4 cup syrup: 428 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 203mg cholesterol, 543mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein.
I used to make this bacon breakfast pizza for my morning drivers when I worked at a delivery place. And they just loved it. Breakfast pizza is a quick and easy eye-opener that appeals to all ages. —Cathy Shortall, Easton, Maryland
Ingredients
1 tube (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
6 large eggs
2 tablespoons water
1 package (3 ounces) bacon bits
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Unroll and press dough onto bottom and 1/2 in. up sides of a greased 15x10x1-in. pan. Prick thoroughly with a fork; brush with 1 tablespoon oil. Bake until lightly browned, 7-8 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk together eggs and water. In a nonstick skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Add eggs; cook and stir just until thickened and no liquid egg remains. Spoon over crust. Sprinkle with bacon bits and cheeses.
Bake until cheese is melted, 5-7 minutes.
Bacon Breakfast Pizza Tips Is breakfast pizza a Midwestern thing? Casey’s General Store, a convenience store chain in Iowa, is famous for their breakfast pizza, which they introduced in 2001. The popularity of breakfast pizzas has spread across the country and can be enjoyed at any time of day!Should bacon be cooked before putting it on pizza? Yes, bacon should be cooked before putting it on pizza for two reasons: pizza has a short bake time so the bacon wouldn’t cook through and the uncooked bacon would make the pizza greasy.Which is the best cheese for pizza? The best cheese for pizza is one that has great meltability and elasticity. That puts mozzarella at the top of the list for most people. But other options include provolone, cheddar, Colby, Edam and Gruyere. Want more breakfast pizza options? Check out arugula and mushroom breakfast pizza, Hawaiian breakfast pizza and spring brunch pizza. Nutrition Facts 1 piece: 352 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 169mg cholesterol, 842mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.
This is an awesome dish for a chilly morning. I love the crispy, caramelized top and raspberry surprise at the bottom. —Yvonne Starlin, Portland, Tennessee
Ingredients
CREAM:
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons Vanilla
1/8 cup Sugar
OATMEAL:
4 cups water
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1/4 cup dried cherries, chopped
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
1/4 cup sugar
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Directions
In a small saucepan, combine the cream, ginger, cinnamon stick and orange zest; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; strain and discard solids. Stir in syrup and nutmeg.
In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil; stir in the oats, apricots, cherries and salt. Reduce heat to medium; cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; stir in brown sugar and 1/4 cup ginger cream. Let stand, covered, for 2 minutes.
Grease four 10-oz. broiler-safe ramekins with butter; place on a baking sheet. Divide raspberries among ramekins. Spoon oatmeal over raspberries; sprinkle evenly with sugar. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 7-9 minutes or until sugar is caramelized. Serve with remaining ginger cream.
Nutrition Facts 1 serving with 1 tablespoon cream: 490 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 359mg sodium, 76g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 7g fiber), 7g protein.
For the perfect combination of eggs, sausage, bread and cheese, this is the dish to try. My mom and I like this sausage breakfast casserole because it bakes up tender and golden, slices beautifully and goes over well whenever we serve it. —Gayle Grigg, Phoenix, Arizona
Ingredients
1 pound bulk pork sausage
6 large eggs
2 cups 2% milk
6 slices white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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Directions
In a skillet, brown and crumble sausage; drain and set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs; add milk, salt and mustard. Stir in bread cubes, cheese and sausage.
Pour into a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Sausage Breakfast Casserole Tips Do you have to brown sausage before putting it into the casserole? It’s not imperative but highly recommended because browning removes excess fat, providing more flavor to the finished product. If you don’t cook the sausage ahead of time, be sure to check that the meat is fully cooked after the 40-minute baking time and bake longer if needed. If you have leftover pork sausage, use it up in these pork sausage recipes.Can the egg casserole be frozen? Yes, you can freeze this egg and sausage casserole. Tightly wrap and freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 3 months (learn how to freeze a casserole the right way!). To bake, completely thaw in the refrigerator for 24 to 36 hours. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Have leftovers? Freeze individual servings of the cooked casserole for an easy morning breakfast by thawing and reheating in the microwave. Follow these other freezer tips to ensure your egg and sausage casserole comes out fresh.
Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 271 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 151mg cholesterol, 736mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 14g protein.
I use this sweet coffee cake recipe often. It's quick and easy to make. —Blanche Whytsell, Arnoldsburg, West Virginia
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2/3 cup butter, melted
1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon milk
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Directions
In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon. Stir in butter; set aside. Prepare cake mix according to package directions.
Pour half of the batter into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with half of the graham cracker mixture. Carefully spoon the remaining batter on top. Sprinkle with the remaining graham cracker mixture.
Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Combine confectioners' sugar and milk; drizzle over coffee cake.
Nutrition Facts 1 piece: 329 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 332mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
I love making breakfast recipes with eggs for dinner, especially this combo with potatoes and cheese that's started in a skillet on the stovetop and then popped into the oven to bake. —Nadine Merheb, Tucson, Arizona
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1-1/2 pounds red potatoes, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
8 large eggs
1/2 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
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Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. In a 10-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add potatoes; cook and stir until golden brown and tender. Stir in parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. With the back of a spoon, make 4 wells in the potato mixture; break 2 eggs into each well.
Bake until egg whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, 9-11 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese; bake until cheese is melted, about 1 minute.
Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 395 calories, 23g fat (12g saturated fat), 461mg cholesterol, 651mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
I absolutely love this slow-cooked oatmeal. The steel-cut oats have so much flavor and texture. My family sprinkles toasted pecans on top whenever possible. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Ingredients
6 cups water
1-1/2 cups steel-cut oats
1-1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup maple syrup
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large apple, chopped
Optional: Sliced apples, toasted pecans and additional maple syrup
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Directions
In a 4-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 7 ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until liquid is absorbed. Stir in chopped apple. If desired, top servings with apple slices, pecans and syrup.
Test Kitchen tipsKeep an eye on this as it nears the end of cooking to prevent overcooking at the edges, especially if your slow cooker runs hot. It's important in this recipe to use steel-cut oats, which need to cook longer than rolled oats. You might find them labeled as Irish oats. Health tipBoost protein with a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt (it will help you stay full longer).
Nutrition Facts 1-1/4 cups: 171 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 39mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein.
I try to incorporate nutritious sweet potatoes in my meals as often as possible, especially with breakfast. This recipe originated with the purpose of feeding my family a healthy, hearty breakfast...and it worked! —Jeanne Larson, Mission Viejo, California
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and shredded (about 4 cups)
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups fresh baby spinach
4 large eggs
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
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Directions
In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat the butter over low heat. Add sweet potatoes, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and thyme; cook, covered, until potatoes are almost tender, 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in spinach just until wilted, 2-3 minutes.
With the back of a spoon, make 4 wells in potato mixture. Break an egg into each well. Sprinkle eggs with pepper and remaining salt. Cook, covered, on medium-low until egg whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, 5-7 minutes.
Test Kitchen tipsIf you like your eggs sunny-side up, leave the pan uncovered while they cook. Break the eggs into a small dish before adding to the pan. It’s easier to remove stray shell pieces if they get into the egg. Health tip: With the sweet potatoes and spinach, this dish meets the daily requirement for vitamin A.
Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 224 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 201mg cholesterol, 433mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 medium-fat meat.
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