Wednesday's Menu: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Katherine Victoria Vananderland
- Sep 7, 2021
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 8, 2021
My home's in the country, right next door to my sister and brother-in-law's. They and their two children all enjoy this dish each time I serve it as a special evening meal—although it can also be made for breakfast or lunch. —Susan Buttel, Plattsburgh, New York
Ingredients
****Make a few trays w/o Bacon****
12 bacon strips, diced
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup butter
12 slices firm-textured white bread
12 large eggs
Directions
In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels to drain. In a small saucepan, heat syrup and butter until butter is melted; set aside.
Trim crust from bread; flatten slices with a rolling pin. Brush one side generously with syrup mixture; press each slice into a greased muffin cup with syrup side down. Divide bacon among muffin cups.
Carefully break one egg into each cup. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover with foil. Bake at 400° until egg whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, 18-20 minutes. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts 2 each: 671 calories, 46g fat (18g saturated fat), 476mg cholesterol, 805mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
Start your day with a smile. This fruit, yogurt and granola parfait is so easy to make. If you like, use whatever favorite fresh fruits are in season and are looking best at the supermarket. —Diana Laskaris, Chicago, Illinois
Ingredients
4 cups fat-free vanilla yogurt
2 medium peaches, chopped
2 cups fresh blackberries
1/2 cup granola without raisins or Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal
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Directions
Layer half the yogurt, peaches, blackberries and granola into 4 parfait glasses. Repeat layers.
Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 259 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 6mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 7g fiber), 13g protein.
Club soda gives these crisp waffles a fluffy texture. With only four ingredients, homemade waffles don't get much easier than this!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Ingredients
2 cups biscuit/baking mix
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup club soda
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Directions
In a large bowl, combine the biscuit mix, eggs and oil. Add club soda and stir until smooth.
Bake in a preheated waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions until golden brown. Freeze option: Cool waffles on wire racks. Freeze between layers of waxed paper in freezer containers. To use, reheat waffles in a toaster on medium setting. Or, microwave each waffle on high for 30-60 seconds or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts 2 each: 348 calories, 26g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 533mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g 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.
Lunch:
My Sicilian Aunt Paulina inspired this fluffy frittata. I remember visiting her garden, picking fresh veggies and watching her cook. Her wild asparagus frittata was my favorite. —Cindy Esposito, Bloomfield, New Jersey
Ingredients
8 large eggs
1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
dash of salt
1 package (8 ounces) frozen asparagus spears, thawed
1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red or green pepper
1/2 cup sliced baby portobello mushrooms
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Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, ricotta cheese, lemon juice, salt and pepper. In a 10-in. ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add asparagus, onion, red pepper and mushrooms; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until onion and pepper are tender.
Remove from heat; remove asparagus from skillet. Reserve eight spears; cut remaining asparagus into 2-in. pieces. Return cut asparagus to skillet; stir in egg mixture. Arrange reserved asparagus spears over eggs to resemble spokes of a wheel.
Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until eggs are completely set. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut into wedges.
Nutrition Facts 1 wedge: 130 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 192mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 medium-fat meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
Whether you snack on it by the handful or eat it with milk or yogurt, you’ll be happy that you found this granola recipe. —Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan
Ingredients
2 chai tea bags
1/4 cup boiling water
3 cups quick-cooking oats
2 cups almonds, coarsely chopped
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
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Directions
Preheat oven to 250°. Steep tea bags in boiling water 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine oats, almonds and coconut. Discard tea bags; stir remaining ingredients into tea. Pour tea mixture over oat mixture; mix well to coat.
Spread evenly in a greased 15x10-in. rimmed pan. Bake until golden brown, stirring every 20 minutes, about 1-1/4 hours. Cool completely without stirring; store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts 1/2 cup: 272 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 130mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 fat, 2 starch.
Here’s my go-to whenever we have brunch guests. If I have extra berries, I just make a fruit salad for later. —Dawn Jarvis, Breckenridge, Minnesota
Ingredients
3/4 cup vanilla yogurt
2/3 cup sliced ripe banana
1 large egg
1/4 cup 2% milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 whole wheat tortillas (8 inches)
2 teaspoons butter
2/3 cup sliced fresh strawberries
2/3 cup fresh blueberries
1/4 cup granola
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: additional vanilla yogurt, strawberries, blueberries and granola
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Directions
In a small bowl, combine yogurt and banana. In a shallow bowl, whisk egg, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg. Dip both sides of each tortilla in egg mixture. In a skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add tortilla; cook until golden brown, 1-2 minutes on each side.
Spoon yogurt mixture down center of tortillas; top with strawberries, blueberries and granola. Roll up each tortilla. If desired, top with additional yogurt, berries and granola.
Nutrition Facts 1 wrap: 399 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 256mg sodium, 68g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 9g fiber), 15g 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
Dash teaspoon salt
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.
Dinner:
Veggie-Packed Strata
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.
Here's a simple, satisfying treat that's perfect when you have company for brunch. It's elegant enough that you can even serve it for dessert at other meals.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Ingredients
2 medium peaches, peeled and sliced
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1 tablespoon butter
3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup vanilla yogurt
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Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. In a small bowl, toss peaches with sugar; gently stir in raspberries.
Place butter in a 9-in. pie plate; heat in oven until butter is melted, 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk eggs, milk and salt until blended; gradually whisk in flour. Remove pie plate from oven; tilt carefully to coat bottom and sides with butter. Immediately pour in egg mixture.
Bake until pancake is puffed and browned, 18-22 minutes. Remove from oven; serve immediately with fruit and yogurt.
Nutrition Facts 1 piece with 1/2 cup fruit and 1 tablespoon yogurt: 199 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 149mg cholesterol, 173mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 medium-fat meat, 1 fruit, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
Would you like breakfast ready for you when the sun comes up? If so, try my hot cereal. It's so simple—just place the ingredients in the slow cooker and turn it on before you go to bed. In the morning, enjoy a healthy, warm and satisfying dish. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ingredients
4 cups vanilla almond milk
1 cup steel-cut oats
1 cup dried cherries
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Additional almond milk, optional
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Directions
In a 3-qt. slow cooker coated with cooking spray, combine all ingredients. Cook, covered, on low until oats are tender, 7-8 hours.
Stir before serving. If desired, serve with additional milk.
Health Tip: Nutritionally, steel cut oats are about the same as rolled oats, so take your pick. Skip instant oatmeal mixes, which have a lot of added sugar.
Editor's Note
Steel-cut oats are also known as Scotch oats or Irish oatmeal.
Nutrition Facts 3/4 cup: 276 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 306mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein.
Scrambled Egg Hash Brown Cups
They may look like muffins, but these cuties pack my favorite breakfast all-stars like eggs, hash browns and bacon. Grab one and get munching. —Talon DiMare, Bullhead City, Arizona
Ingredients
****Make without Bacon for a few trays*****
Ingredients
1 package (20 ounces) refrigerated Southwest-style shredded hash brown potatoes
6 large eggs
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
10 thick-sliced bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1-1/4 cups shredded cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese, divided
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Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Divide potatoes among 12 greased muffin cups; press onto bottoms and up sides to form cups. Bake until light golden brown, 18-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk eggs, milk and salt. In a large nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Pour in egg mixture; cook and stir until eggs are thickened and no liquid egg remains. Stir in bacon and 3/4 cup cheese. Spoon into cups; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
Bake until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan.
Test Kitchen TipsFor extra creamy custard-style eggs, patience is a virtue. Drop your temperature to medium-low, and stir frequently. We love how easy and mess-free it is to cook bacon in the oven. Line a pan with aluminum foil, spread bacon over it and bake until crisp, typically 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. Nutrition Facts 1 hash brown cup: 180 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 487mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
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