Recipe: Egg Cheddar Sourdough Breakfast Casserole

This tasty breakfast combines the nutritional punch of eggs with tomatoes, onions, and cheese for a delicious, filling meal that covers all the food groups! Since most of it is made ahead of time, it doesn't take too long to prepare in the morning. This one also makes a great "breakfast for dinner" option if you prepare the ingredients earlier in the day.

Nestled Egg Cheddar Sourdough Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 pound sourdough bread, cubed
4 tablespoons melted butter
12 ounces bacon
1 large onion, sliced
28 ounces diced tomatoes, drained 
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese 
4 green onions, chopped
1 3/4 cups chicken stock
Salt
6 free-range pastured poultry eggs

Directions:

• While preheating oven to 350 degrees, in a large mixing bowl toss the sourdough bread and butter. Spread the sourdough evenly on a large baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until bread is golden brown.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Once the bacon is cooked, transfer it to a paper towel lined plate. Save 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease, pouring out the rest. 
• Add the onion to the skillet and cook until caramelized (approximately 10 minutes). 
• Now add the tomato and cook until all the liquid has evaporated (approximately 5 minutes).  
• In a large mixing bowl, pour the onion mixture and add the bread, bacon, green onion, stock and cheese. Stir together until well mixed and season to taste with salt. 
• Spread this mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish and cover with tin foil, and refrigerate overnight. 
• To bake:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Keep the tin foil on the baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. 
• Now, remove from oven and make 6 indentations in the bread. Once the indentations have been made, crack 1 egg into each indentation. Once all 6 eggs have been added to the indentations, bake for another 15 minutes or until egg whites are set.

Wake Your Brain Up With Breakfast

We have all heard the phrase, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”  There are many reasons why it's important to start the morning with a proper breakfast.  Simply stated:  Breakfast gives your body and brain the fuel they need to function.

It is especially important for children to eat a nourishing breakfast in the morning.  Young, growing brains need lots of energy to help focus and keep learning.  A child who skips breakfast is going to feel tired, restless, and irritable, possibly for the entire day.  Studies have proven time and time again that children who do not eat a healthy breakfast in the morning suffer both academically and socially.  They also suffer physically, often with obesity being the result.

You know how you, as an adult, feel if you skip breakfast.  Now just imagine if your brain was developing and growing at the rate of a child.  That empty tummy you experience if you skip breakfast is nothing compared to what a child will feel.

French Toast Souffle' Casserole (Photo credit: Bunches and Bits {Karina})

With that said, we know that eating a healthy breakfast every morning is important, especially for a child.  An easy way to ensure your child gets a healthy, well-rounded meal in the morning is with breakfast casseroles. 

I can hear you saying right now; “But I can't make a breakfast casserole in the morning!”  You don't have to.  Avoid a lot of preparation in the morning by planning ahead and you won't skip a beat during the morning rush.  Design a few breakfast casserole recipes to suit your family member's tastes and make several smaller casseroles on the weekend and put them in the refrigerator.  Now, before you wake your children up for school, pop their casseroles in the oven.  Before they walk out of the door, they'll have a delightfully delicious and nutritious breakfast to wake them (and their brains!) up. 

There is so much you can add to a casserole to meet everyone's nutritional needs.  To wake up your brain you want to eat foods that are high in protein, good carbs, fiber, calcium, iron, other minerals, and lots of vitamins. 

Make a breakfast casserole that contains whole-wheat or multi-grain bread, eggs, milk, maybe some cheese, meat, poultry or seafood, and vegetables, too, for a savory nutrition-packed dish.  If your child prefers a sweet breakfast, make a breakfast casserole that contains the same hearty bread, eggs, and milk, then add fruit and even nuts to the mix. You still get the protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but this time in a sweeter version.

With a nutritious breakfast, you can boost body and brain function, helping your child feel better and think better so he or she can perform better in school and throughout the day.  All of this in one simple to make breakfast casserole!

There are many great ways to get the nutrition needed in the morning, but breakfast casseroles are definitely a great option.  They are versatile, easy to mix up and serve, and ready when you are.  How will you start your day out tomorrow?  Give your brain, and your child's brain, a chance to wake up with a hearty and healthy breakfast casserole.

Fresh Breakfast Ideas From the Farmer's Market

If you are looking for fresh, creative breakfast ideas, you can't do better than the local farmers market.  Who knows better about how best to use what's fresh and available than the people who grow it?  You need a day's worth of energy in your breakfast, just like the farmers do.  So, why not start your day by making a great breakfast with the ingredients you picked up at the local farmers market? Here are a few ideas to get you started making a nutritious and delicious morning meal.

Crepes with strawberry syrup and blackcurrants (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Maxed Out Pancakes

A farmers market breakfast can start with anything.  To make it simple, let's look at a breakfast favorite, the pancake.  But, if you're thinking plain, think again.  How about a plate of pancakes with chives, goat cheese, and fresh peas? If that idea doesn't get your mouth watering, you might want to try other herbs, vegetables, fresh greens, and specialty cheeses. You can even mix some pureed pumpkin or other squash or sweet potatoes into the batter.

If you're looking for sweet instead of savory, or a combination of the two, try a selection of seasonal berries or fruit, then mix in fresh herbs to compliment.  Peaches and rosemary are a good combination that surprises and delights the taste buds.  You can add soft cheeses to fruit filled pancakes just as successfully as you can to savory pancakes.  No matter what's in season at your farmers market, you can find a way to include it in a pancake in the morning.

Market Medley 

Some people call it hash, others call it a skillet meal, but no matter what you call it, you know it's downright delicious. Start by taking fresh potatoes, scrub them or peel them, and cook them in a big pot of salted water just until knife tender.  Drain the pot and let them cool, then dice them, and you have the beginnings of a hash skillet medley.  Grab any fresh produce you brought home from the market;  onions, peppers, zucchini, radishes, bush beans, rutabaga, turnips, carrots, kale, collards... well, you get the idea.

Get your big cast iron skillet out, throw in some oil or butter or bacon and start frying.  Get your potatoes in there, then start adding whatever you want and cook until potatoes are browned and the rest of the veggies are tender. You can top the skillet meal with some cheese, chili beans, shredded cooked meat, or even an egg or two.  Whatever you add to the skillet, you've got a base built on farm freshness that is bound to please.

Clever Crepes

Crepe batter. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Don't panic - crepes are actually incredibly easy. The problem people have with crepes is that the batter is not the right consistency.  Make sure the batter is thin enough to easily swirl around in the pan.  If your batter looks like pancake batter in the bowl, it's too thick.  Find a good recipe for crepe batter - it's really easy to make and healthier than a packaged mix. But, enough of that.  Let's get to the fun stuff.

Crepes can actually be flavored themselves.  If you are making a savory crepe dish, filled with herbs and veggies, throw a few herbs right into the crepes.  If you are making sweet crepes, filled with warm spices and fruit, throw a few of those spices in the crepes.  This isn't necessary, but it is pretty and tasty.  Once you have made your crepes, you're ready for the filling.  Lightly fried or grilled strips of zucchini with a soft herbed cheese makes a nice savory crepe.  Seasonal fruit combined with a simple custard is a beautiful start to the day.  Whether sweet or savory, crepes make breakfast just seem more special.

A trip through the local farmers market should give you plenty of inspiration for these three simple breakfast choices.  Fresh is best, whether it's dinner, lunch, or the nicest meal of the day – breakfast.

Check back later this week for some fun farmers-market inspired recipes!

5 Time & Money Saving Breakfast Ideas

It is the first meal we eat when we get up in the morning. After a long night of sleep, we can’t do without it if we want to get our bodies going. No, I’m not talking about coffee. I’m referring to breakfast. Here are some ideas for a quick and healthy breakfast that don’t require a drive-thru window.
Image via Wikipedia

1. Have a piece of casserole. It takes time to cook eggs and bacon for breakfast. No one wants to ruin their clothes with the mess it can create. On Sunday night, get breakfast done early. Put together a casserole using your favorite ingredients. Fewer eggs are needed in a casserole than when frying or scrambling them for breakfast each morning. Depending on the size of your family, the casserole may last two to three mornings.

2. Yogurt. Yogurt is a healthy and economical breakfast choice. When you are eating on the run, grab a container of yogurt and some dried or fresh fruit. Cutting up fruit on top of the yogurt adds carbohydrates to fuel you for the morning in addition to the calcium and protein in the yogurt itself.

3. Breakfast shake. This is even quicker and can be ingested while driving without taking your eyes off the road or both hands off the wheel. Put together some frozen fruit favorites, ice cubes, yogurt, and unsweetened juice in a blender. Pour into travel cups to keep it cold (the kind with lids and straws makes it easy to avoid spills in the car). Everyone can grab a cup on the way out the door. The nutritional effect is about the same as yogurt (or better if you add lots of yogurt), but without the spoon.

Image by Dead Air via Flickr

4. Pigs in a blanket. This is the homemade version - much healthier without all the preservatives and trans fats of the store-bought kind. Whip up a batch of pancakes and freeze them in short stacks of three. A package or two of frozen link sausage is needed to create this quick and economical meal idea (local and hormone-free if at all possible). Thaw out a stack of pancakes. Heat up three sausages in the microwave. Wrap a pancake around each sausage. Voila! You’ve got an instant pig in a blanket. Eat it as you watch the last of your favorite morning show or as you walk to the bus stop. It can be eaten in the car without too much fuss or mess. For a sweeter taste and less mess, add a little maple syrup or honey to the batter when making the pancakes.

5. Breakfast sandwiches. In the evening, while you are getting things ready for the next day, grill up a few breakfast sandwiches. Choose whatever you like: natural turkey slices, sulfate-free ham slices, cheese, tomato, bacon, etc. When the sandwich cools, cut it into bite size pieces and put it in a container. In the morning, just grab a container; pop it into the microwave for fifteen or twenty seconds and breakfast is served.

These breakfast ideas are time saving and money-saving too. They make use of items you might buy normally and also whatever you have around the house to create delicious fare for a morning rush. No more excuses for skipping breakfast or swinging into the fast food restaurant every morning!

Healthy Egg Recipes

So, you’ve heard the good news about eggs? They are no longer on the naughty list. Eggs have many nutritional benefits, and they are super easy to prepare, making them a favorite of bachelors and college students. Include them in your daily diet with these delicious and healthy recipes.

Eggs are not just for the holidays. They can be eaten every day. To their credit, eggs contain protein, healthy fats, low cholesterol, helpful minerals and vitamins. Eating two eggs a day can give you a good start to the day. Adding protein to each meal helps curb the cravings that could otherwise derail your diet. We always recommend using organic eggs, or if you can get them, eggs from pastured poultry - these are the healthiest and contain the most nutrients and good fats. (See bottom of this blog post for more on pastured poultry.)

So, how do you eat eggs? Here are some good basic recipes to get you started.

Image via Wikipedia* Scrambled eggs – Break eggs into a bowl, and beat with a fork until well mixed. Pour into a hot greased skillet, and scramble until you like the doneness of the egg. Eat with a side of whole wheat toast and a piece of fruit.

* Omelet – Who doesn’t like a good omelet? Here are a few pointers. Only use two eggs, unless you're a big eater. Adding a third for density is not necessary. A tablespoon of water in the egg mixture can make it lighter and fluffier so you get a bigger omelet without additional calories. Also, add your favorite healthy ingredients for a more satisfying meal. Try diced tomatoes, onions, green peppers, lean ham or turkey sausage.

* Boiled eggs – They are easy for breakfast on the go. Many kids like them too. Boil several eggs and place them in the fridge. Place them in warm water and peel them for everyone to enjoy at breakfast the next day. Keep the yolks in for added nutritional value!

* Breakfast scramble – Take your eggs to the next level. Combine eggs or egg whites with Canadian bacon cubes, turkey sausage, cheese cubes and onions. Scramble in a pan until the eggs are done. Top with salsa. It’s a twist on regular scrambled eggs.

* Quiche – Combine your love of eggs with a food that can be eaten for lunch. Mix eggs with delicious add-ins like onions, ham and low-fat cheese, milk, and spices, and pour into a lightly baked crust. Bake for 1 hour or until solid in the center. Everyone can create their own favorite quiche recipe for the family.

Image via Wikipedia* Egg salad – This makes a great vegetarian sandwich for lunch. Add light or fat-free mayonnaise and mustard. Place into pita pockets for a quick and less messy sandwich! It is easy to make in a hurry as well. Coarsely chop your eggs and add your condiments. Some people like pickles or relish in their egg salad.

* Deviled eggs – These are great for an appetizer for a party or to have when you want a snack. Combine mustard, low-fat mayonnaise, paprika and boiled egg yolks in a bowl. Spoon it back into each cut boiled egg half. Sprinkle with more paprika.

* Frittata – Whisk your eggs until well blended. Add them to a heated skillet. Add your favorite toppings like chopped veggies or fresh herbs. Cook covered in the skillet until the eggs are set and done, or if it is very thick, finish under the broiler for a couple of minutes. Slide the frittata out of the pan onto your plate.

Yum!  Tasty, healthy, and filling - you can't ask for much more.

Video - 5 Healthy & Delicious Breakfast Ideas

Here is a great video on 5 easy and healthy breakfast ideas - check these out, and try them all! (We don't recommend soy milk - non-homogenized organic milk, or even raw milk if you can get it - is best.) But the rest of the info is good, and pay attention to the comments about organic choices. These are various quick and delicious ways to get the nutrients you need to start your day off right.

Healthy Breakfast Food Recipes - Nutrition by Natalie
Be My Friend - www.myspace.com Healthy Breakfast Food Recipes - Nutrition by Natalie Natalie tell you five different healthy breakfast items and how to cook or make them. A good breakfast is key to your health and wellness. Items include, Smoothie, B...

Healthy and Easy Breakfast Ideas

Want to eat well and nourish your body without spending hours in the kitchen every morning? These breakfast ideas will help you get all the nutrients your body needs and take less than 30 minutes to prepare. Some may not be what you would consider "breakfast foods," but they all provide a great healthy boost of vitamins and nutrients to start off your day with energy and keep you going 'til lunchtime - and won't weigh you down and make you sluggish like a heavy, grain-centered breakfast does.

Image via Wikipedia1. Soaked Beans and Balsamic Salad

Soak pinto beans, black beans or lentils in water for 10 minutes, drain, add fresh water, then boil them until soft. The soaking "extracts" the chemicals that causes gas, resulting in a healthy, protein and nutrient-rich dish without the unpleasant effects. (May cook the day before and refrigerate, for a faster prep time in the morning.)

Sprinkle the beans with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add a dash of oregano or dill for flavor.

Drain the beans and sprinkle over a nice green salad with a bit of balsamic vinegar and olive oil on top.

This breakfast is rich in proteins from the beans, rich in vitamins from the greens and also gives you healthy plant fats from the olive oil. (This also makes a great lunch, and you can substitute canned beans, drained and rinsed, to make it even faster.)

2. Fruit Salad with Yogurt

Cut up three or four different kinds of fruits. Add a cup of yogurt on top and mix - an extremely simple dish.

The fruits will provide your body with a boost of easy to use sugars to start the day off. It'll also provide a wide range of nutrients, like potassium or magnesium.

The yogurt contains many healthy bacteria that help digestion.

3. Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice with Hummus and Pita

Fresh squeezed orange juice is rich in Vitamin C, among other things. It tastes great and will also give your body an energy boost. Orange juice is best squeezed right before consumption, as nutrients in the juice can deteriorate quickly when exposed to air.

Combine the orange juice with pita bread and hummus. You can pick these up at most grocery or health food stores.

Pita and hummus are very easy to prepare, as there's no cooking required (unless you want to make your own hummus the day before). All you need to do is heat it up and breakfast is served. Preparation time? Less than 10 minutes.

Image via Wikipedia4. Scrambled Eggs with Organic Cheese and Veggies

What breakfast list would be complete without eggs? Cooking scrambled eggs (or an omelet) with veggies inside is one of the healthiest and easiest ways to have a delicious breakfast.

The veggies in the eggs should be veggies that cook quickly, like spinach, mushrooms or onions. Avoid slow-cook veggies like eggplants or broccoli. It also helps to add a dash of spices or herbs to make the eggs more flavorful.

Top off the scramble or omelet with some organic cheese from your local health food store. You now have a protein-rich, whole food breakfast that's both fast and easy to make.

If you want the breakfast to be a bit more filling, add a couple slices of whole-grain (preferably sprouted) toast on the side.

These are four highly nutritious and easy to make meals. None of them take more than 30 minutes to make and will give your body all the minerals, vitamins and energy it needs to lead a productive day.