Breakfast Casserole in a crock pot

Great for early breakfast when you have guests and want to sleep in a little...

Ingredients:
1 doz eggs
1 cup milk
1 bag (32 oz bag) frozen hash brown potatoes
1 lb bacon, cooked crisp - or Ham (other meat will work as well)
3/4 cup chopped sweet onion
1 1/2 cup cheese - shredded (cheddar, jack, or both)
salt and pepper
garlic powder

Directions:
1. Spray inside of crock pot with nonstick spray.
2. Layer potato, bacon, onion, cheese 1/3 of each 3 times.
3. In a large bowl, beat eggs with milk and seasonings.
4. Pour egg mixture over the ingredients in the crockpot.
5. Cook on low 10 - 12 hours, until eggs are set and thoroughly cooked.

Suggestions:It needed a little extra kick, next time might add some green chilies or salsa)

**Made great Breakfast Burritos the next day!
(sorry no, no pictures - forgot about it until everything was all put away)

Breakfast on the go...

Breakfast can be a crazy time.  In my house, sometimes it gets skipped all together (for the adults).  

 So, I thought I would share a trick that we've learned.

Last Saturday morning I made breakfast burritos for the family.  While I was at it, I made 5 extra.

I wrapped them in a paper towel, then in a layer of foil, placed them in a freezer bag and 

put them in the freezer.

When you want to eat one, remove from freezer, remove layer of foil (leave the paper towel) and 

microwave for about 2 minutes.  

There you go!  A ready made breakfast.  

I usually put scrambled eggs, sausage, onions and maybe a green pepper in my burritos... 

but add whatever makes you happy!

Banana Nut Muffins w/ Oatmeal Streusel

Muffins:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 bananas)
3/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Streusel:
6 tablespoons regular oats
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375°. To prepare the muffins, lightly spoon 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine banana and next 4 ingredients (through egg) in a bowl; stir well. Add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened; fold in walnuts. Place 12 muffin cup liners in muffin cups. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups.
To prepare streusel, combine oats and remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Blend with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle streusel over batter. Bake for 22 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

*Original recipe can be found here

Homemade granola

I stepped outside of my box today and tried making my own granola and I am super impressed with it and wonder why it's taken me so long to do it! Oh well, it was worth the wait.

I found the recipe whilst blog stalking today, and I know there are slight differences to most, but this turned out to be pretty dang good.


7 c. rolled oats
1/2 c. powdered milk
1 T. cinnamon
1/2 c. oil (I used 1/4 c. canola and 1/4 c. olive)
1 c. honey
1 T. vanilla
Combine oats, powdered milk and cinnamon.
Add oil, honey and vanilla. Stir well.
Add any mix-ins and toss.
Bake on a jelly roll pan at 200 degrees for 2 hours (your home will smell delicious). No need to stir while baking- just stir after you take it out of the oven and let sit until it dries and hardens.
Mix-in ideas: slivered almonds, macadamias, pecans, dried cranberries, dried cherries, coconut, flaxseed, pepitas, or any other tasty morsel.

I added slivered almonds and coconut (I think I tricked my sister who doesn't like coconut, but she ate it and liked it- and doesn't know it's in there until now!) I think I may try to sneak in a few more grains next time.

Chocolate Chip pancakes

I was watching the news this morning and saw that it was National Pancake Day- and I thought that sounded like a good thing to make for dinner. I had to go to Macey's to pick up a few things and I passed by this pancake mix (on sale this week too by the way)-since it's also Heart Healthy month I thought I would make this. Sorry it's not a homemade recipe but it was easy and who doesn't love those nights where you have breakfast for dinner! I did add a ½ cup of mini chocolate chips to spice up the mix,
they tasted great!

Our old friend Mickey Mouse appeared in my pan :)