On the fly Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for today!
- Katherine Victoria Vananderland
- Sep 1, 2021
- 13 min read
Mixed Berry French Toast Bake
I love this recipe! It's perfect for fuss-free holiday breakfasts or company, it’s utterly delicious and so easy to put together the night before. —Amy Berry, Poland, Maine
Ingredients
6 large eggs
1-3/4 cups fat-free milk
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 loaf (1 pound) French bread, cubed
1 package (12 ounces) frozen unsweetened mixed berries
2 tablespoons cold butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
Optional: Confectioners' sugar and maple syrup
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Directions
Whisk together first 6 ingredients. Place bread cubes in a 13x9-in. or 3-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour egg mixture over top. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°. Remove berries from freezer and French toast from refrigerator and let stand while oven heats. Bake, covered, 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, cut butter into brown sugar until crumbly. Top French toast with berries; sprinkle with brown sugar mixture. Bake, uncovered, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar and serve with syrup.
Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 310 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 517mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 13g protein.
We were living in Texas when I found the recipe for this simple yet elegant salad. I was thrilled— we had a surplus of fresh oranges! All you do at the last minute is garnish and serve. —Janie Bush, Weskan, Kansas
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1 cup white grape juice
1/2 cup lemon-lime soda
8 large oranges, peeled and sectioned
3 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted
3 tablespoons sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
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Directions
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and marmalade; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in grape juice and soda. Pour over orange sections; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
Using a slotted spoon, remove oranges to a serving dish. Sprinkle with almonds and coconut.
Editor's Note To toast nuts and coconut, bake in separate shallow pans in a 350° oven for 5-10 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 234 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 21mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 5g fiber), 3g protein.
I make breakfast casseroles with whatever I have, like spinach, sweet red pepper and cheddar. With this puff, we like a burst of flavor from Greek vinaigrette. —Angela Robinson, Findlay, Ohio
Ingredients
6 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1 cup 2% milk
1 garlic clove, minced
5 cups cubed croissants (about 6 ounces)
3/4 cup chopped roasted sweet red peppers, divided
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
3 tablespoons Greek vinaigrette
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Directions
In a large bowl, whisk the first 6 ingredients until blended. Place croissant pieces in a single layer in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish; top with 1/2 cup red pepper, onion and spinach. Pour egg mixture over top. Sprinkle with cheeses. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
Finely chop remaining red pepper; place in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add vinaigrette; shake to combine and refrigerate until serving.
Preheat oven to 350°. Remove casserole from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake, uncovered, 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 5-10 minutes before cutting. Serve with vinaigrette mixture. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked casserole and remaining chopped sweet red pepper separately. To use, partially thaw both in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°. Combine vinaigrette and chopped sweet red pepper; serve with casserole.
Nutrition Facts 1 piece with 1-1/2 teaspoons vinaigrette mixture: 281 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 175mg cholesterol, 656mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein.
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The glorious colors of the fruit make this a festive salad. Slightly sweet and chilled, it makes a nice accompaniment to a grilled entree. —Marlon Kirst, Troy, Michigan
Ingredients
8 cups fresh melon cubes
1 to 2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 pint fresh strawberries, halved
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
2 oranges, sectioned
Fresh mint leaves, optional
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Directions
In a large bowl, combine melon cubes and corn syrup. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Just before serving, stir in remaining fruit. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts 3/4 cup: 56 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 14mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit.
Lunch:
Chicken and Asparagus Crepes
The crepes used in this recipe come from my mom's special recipe, and can be made ahead of time, refrigerated to assemble the next day. Cooked rotisserie chicken is a real time-saver when making this savory brunch specialty. —Mary Sloan, Brighton, Michigan
Ingredients
3 eggs
1-1/2 cups 2% milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
FILLING:
1-1/2 cups cut fresh asparagus (1-inch pieces)
1 small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon canola oil
2-1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
3 cups cubed rotisserie chicken
SAUCE:
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups 2% milk
6 slices Swiss cheese, halved
2/3 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a bubbly.
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Directions
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and butter. Combine flour and salt; add to egg mixture and mix well. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Heat a lightly greased 8-in. nonstick skillet over medium heat; pour 1/4 cup batter into center of skillet. Lift and tilt pan to coat bottom evenly. Cook until top appears dry; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, greasing skillet as needed. When cool, stack crepes with waxed paper or paper towels in between.
Saute asparagus and onion in oil until tender. Add mushrooms and cook 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat and stir in chicken. Set aside.
For sauce, in a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
Spread about 1/2 cup filling down the center of each crepe; top with 2 tablespoons sauce and 1 piece of Swiss cheese. Roll up and place seam side down in each of two greased 11x7-in. baking dishes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a bubbly.
Raspberry Coconut French Toast Slow-Cooker Style
I put the ingredients in the slow cooker crock the night before, refrigerate it, then pop the crock into the slow cooker in the morning. You can use regular milk or half-and-half, include your favorite jam, and substitute almond extract instead of vanilla. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Ingredients
6 large eggs
1-1/2 cups refrigerated sweetened coconut milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 loaf (1 pound) French bread, cubed
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
2/3 cup seedless raspberry jam
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Whipped cream, fresh raspberries and toasted sweetened shredded coconut
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Directions
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, coconut milk and vanilla until blended. Place half of the bread in a greased 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker; layer with half of the cream cheese, jam, coconut and egg mixture. Repeat layers. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
Cook, covered, on low 2-3/4 to 3-1/4 hours or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped cream, raspberries and toasted coconut.
Test Kitchen tipIf you like extra crunch, toast the coconut before adding it to the slow cooker. Toasted chopped nuts would be tasty, too.
Nutrition Facts 1 cup (calculated without raspberries and toasted coconut): 280 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 338mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g 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.
I've been cooking this strata for years, and my family just can't get enough! The fresh basil gives this healthy brunch dish an added flavor boost. —Jean L. Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin.
Ingredients
3 teaspoons canola oil, divided
3/4 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup finely chopped sweet onion
1 large sweet red pepper, cut into strips
1 large sweet yellow pepper, thin strips
1 medium leek (white portion only), chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
10 slices whole wheat bread, cut into 1-inch pieces
1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 large eggs
4 large egg whites
2-1/2 cups fat-free milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
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Directions
In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook and stir until tender, 8-10 minutes. Remove from pan.
In same pan, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Remove from pan and add to the mushrooms.
Add remaining oil to pan. Add peppers, leek, salt and pepper; cook and stir until leek is tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in sauteed mushrooms and onion.
In a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray, layer half of each of the following: bread cubes, vegetable mixture, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, egg whites and milk until blended; pour over layers. Sprinkle with basil. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°. Remove strata from refrigerator while oven heats.
Bake, covered, 50 minutes. Bake, uncovered, until lightly browned and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 10-15 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts 1 piece: 322 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 201mg cholesterol, 620mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 medium-fat meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
With the abundance of zucchini my family has in the fall, this is the perfect dish to use some of what we have. Cheesy and rich, the warm, classic breakfast dish is sure to please! —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
Ingredients
3 large zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into 3/4-inch slices
1 each medium sweet red, green peppers cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 loaf (1 pound) unsliced crusty Italian bread
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese
6 large eggs
2 cups fat-free milk
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Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Toss zucchini and peppers with oil and seasonings; transfer to a 15x10x1-in. pan. Roast until tender, 25-30 minutes, stirring once. Stir in tomato; cool slightly.
Trim ends from bread; cut bread into 1-in. slices. In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, layer half of each of the following: bread, roasted vegetables and cheeses. Repeat layers. Whisk together eggs and milk; pour evenly over top. Refrigerate, covered, 6 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 375°. Remove casserole from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown, 40-50 minutes. Let stand 5-10 minutes before cutting. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked casserole. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 375°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.
Nutrition Facts 1 piece: 349 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 154mg cholesterol, 642mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 medium-fat meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
Dinner Menu
Lime Coconut Smoothie Bowl
This Key lime and coconut smoothie bowl is the most refreshing thing on the planet! —Madeline Butler, Denver, Colorado
Ingredients
1 medium banana, peeled and frozen
1 cup fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup cubed fresh pineapple
1/2 cup chopped peeled mango or frozen mango chunks
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
3 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon spreadable cream cheese, optional
Optional: Lime wedges, sliced banana, sliced almonds, granola, dark chocolate chips and additional shredded coconut
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Directions
Place the first 11 ingredients in a blender; if desired, add cream cheese. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled bowls. Serve immediately, with optional toppings as desired.
Nutrition Facts 1 cup: 325 calories, 10g fat (7g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 80mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (51g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein.
Is there a better place than Texas to find a fantastic barbecue sauce? That’s where this one is from—it’s my father-in-law’s own recipe. We have served it at many family reunions and think it’s the best! —Bobbie Morgan, Woodstock, Georgia
Ingredients
2 broiler/fryer chickens (3 to 4 pounds each), cut into 8 pieces each
Salt and pepper
BARBECUE SAUCE:
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 small onions, finely chopped
2 cups ketchup
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
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Directions
Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Grill skin side down, uncovered, on a greased grill rack over medium heat for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, make barbecue sauce by heating oil over medium heat. Add onion; saute until tender. Stir in remaining sauce ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
Turn chicken; brush with barbecue sauce. Grill 15-25 minutes longer, brushing frequently with sauce, until a thermometer reads 165° when inserted in the breast and 170°-175° in the thigh.
Nutrition Facts
1 serving: 370 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 622mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein.
When my garden basil goes nuts, I make pesto and keep it frozen in small containers for the right opportunity, like this saucy one-pot chicken pesto pasta recipe. —Kimberly Fenwick, Hobart, Indiana
Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup uncooked gemelli or spiral pasta
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup prepared pesto
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Directions
Toss chicken with seasoning blend. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and brown evenly; remove from pan.
In same pan, combine broth and lemon juice; bring to a boil, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Stir in pasta; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10 minutes.
Add broccoli; cook, covered, 5 minutes. Return chicken to pan; cook, covered, until pasta is tender and chicken is no longer pink, 2-3 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Add peas; heat through. Stir in pesto.
One-Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta Tips Can I use a homemade pesto? Making your own fresh pesto is an easy thing to do especially if you have an abundance of fresh basil. Just follow our step-by-step guide on how to make pesto. You'll find you end up with a brighter, fresher tasting pasta.Can I use something other than chicken thighs? While chicken thighs are a flavorful meat, you can easily substitute chicken breasts or pork chops instead. If you’re a seafood lover, try adding large shell-on shrimp but skip the browning step. Just add them the last 5 minutes of cooking.What else can I add to this chicken pesto pasta recipe? Try adding other veggies! You’ll want to pick vegetables that have a similar texture to raw broccoli so the cooking time will stay the same. Some good options are cauliflower, thinly sliced carrots or Brussel sprouts. Onion lovers can add pearl onions or coarsely chopped white or yellow onions.Can pesto chicken pasta be reheated? Surprisingly, we’ve found the microwave reheats pasta really well. Spoon out a single portion into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely and microwave at medium power until heated through, about 2-3 minutes. If you need to heat all the leftover pasta at once, place it in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until heated through. You may need to add a little water if the pasta is too dry. (Check out these other reheating tips!) Research contributed by James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor, Culinary
Nutrition Facts 1 cup: 404 calories, 18g fat (4g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 fat.
This cinnamony treat reminds me of baklava, but with only a few easy ingredients, it's a fraction of the work. My Aunt Adele shared the recipe with me, and I think of her whenever I make it. —Sue Falk, Warren, Michigan
Ingredients
2 cups ground walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
12 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
1/2 cup butter, melted
SYRUP:
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
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Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine walnuts, sugar and cinnamon.
Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough on a 15x12-in. piece of waxed paper; brush with butter. Place a second phyllo sheet on top, brushing it with butter. (Keep remaining phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.) Sprinkle with 1/4 cup walnut mixture. Using waxed paper, roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side, removing paper as you roll. Slice roll into 4 smaller rolls; transfer rolls to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Repeat with remaining phyllo dough and walnut mixture, by 1/4 cupfuls. Bake until light brown, 14-16 minutes. Cool dish on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine all syrup ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Drizzle cinnamon rolls with syrup; sprinkle with remaining walnut mixture.
Test Kitchen TipsSubstitute your favorite nut or combination of nuts for the walnuts. Pecans, pistachios and almonds are exceptional in this recipe. Get creative with the spices. Instead of just cinnamon, try a mixture of cardamom, allspice and ginger. And you can never go wrong with pumpkin pie spice. Check out more desserts you can make with phyllo dough. Nutrition Facts 1 cinnamon rollup: 132 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
Since asparagus is so abundant here in spring, I like to put it to use with this tasty roasted asparagus recipe. Not only does it come together quickly, but it calls for just a handful of items. We all look forward to this side dish each year. —Vikki Rebholz, West Chester, OH
Ingredients
4 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
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Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Arrange asparagus in a single layer in 2 foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 12-15 minutes, turning once. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Roasted Asparagus Tips Do you wash asparagus before roasting? Before you start roasting the asparagus, it's best to rinse it and pat it dry.Why is my roasted asparagus mushy? To avoid mushy roasted asparagus, make sure to test your asparagus towards the end of the cooking time. Asparagus sizes vary and will take less or more time to cook based on the thickness. If you overcook your asparagus, it’ll end up soft and mushy.What other seasonings can I use for roasted asparagus? For added flavor, try tossing the asparagus with fresh minced garlic, red pepper flakes, parmesan cheese or a squeeze of lemon juice before roasting. This Parmesan Asparagus recipe is super easy! Find more ideas for how to cook asparagus. Research contributed by Sarah Fischer, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant
Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 73 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 122mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
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