The Bryan Times - Quick Breakfasts - March 4, 2019

Hello Readers! I was blessed to write food columns for nearly 10 years for the Leader Enterprise, and am now so honored to be joining the Bryan Times team. I like recipes that are simple, have few ingredients and sometimes on the healthy side. Am looking forward to sharing with you here and hope you'll find dishes to add to your favorites.  

Flax seed adds extra protein and fiber to fill you up with little change in taste.  This is a wonderful way to start your day, and it's so quick. I try to keep frozen banana slices on hand for recipes like this one. 
                                
                                 

              Blueberry Banana Flax Seed Smoothie
                                

BLUEBERRY BANANA FLAX SEED SMOOTHIE

2 TB. whole flax seed

1 ripe banana, sliced and frozen

1 c. blueberries

1/2 c. Greek Yogurt

3/4 - 1 c. almond or coconut milk

1 TB. honey

1/4 tsp. almond extract

6 ice cubes

Place the flax seed in a blender and blend until it is ground fine.  Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.  Garnish with blueberries. Yield: 2 servings

These little muffins really do taste like pancakes and are super to make ahead. To reheat, just microwave or place in a toaster oven to warm. 

                      Easy Mini Pancake Muffins

EASY MINI PANCAKE MUFFINS (Make Ahead)

2 c. Bisquick or Jiffy mix

1 c. buttermilk (for best results use the real thing) 

2 eggs

1/2 c. (real) maple syrup  

1/2 tsp. vanilla, optional

add-ins like blueberries, raspberries, mashed bananas, bacon, chocolate chips, etc.  

Be creative! 

(But be sure you know when you add anything else to the batter, this recipe will make more than 24 mini muffins, so just bake a couple regular sized ones). 

Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly spray 24 mini muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine biscuit mix, buttermilk, eggs and maple syrup. Stir until blended..but don't overbeat. Gently stir in any add ins. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans, filling almost to the top. 

Bake 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown and tops spring back lightly when touched. Cool in pan for a few minutes, then remove and cool pancake bites on a cooling rack.

Serve with little cups of maple syrup (for dipping). 

(TIP:  To freeze, place muffins on wax paper lined cookie sheet, not touching.

Freeze for a couple of hours. After they are frozen, place in ziploc bag. (This process keeps them from sticking together and you can remove as many you'd like).  Label, then toss in the freezer.  

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BANANA PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

• 2 lg. overripe bananas, sliced and frozen
• 1 c. almond (or coconut) milk (or more if desired for consistency)
• 1/4 (heaping) c. creamy peanut butter
• 2 Tb. unsweetened protein powder
• (or baking cocoa)
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 - 5 ice cubes
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Add all ingredients to a blender and process until well pureed.  Serve immediately. Yield: 2 servings

With no white flour or refined sugar in these cookies, you can feel great about giving these to your kids for breakfast or as an after school snack.  Dip them in Greek yogurt for a special treat. 

HEALTHY OATMEAL RAISIN BREAKFAST COOKIES 

3/4 c. rolled oats 

3/4 c. oat flour

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 - 1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 egg

3 Tb. honey (or agave nectar)

1/4 c. plain Greek yogurt

1/4 c. chopped nuts

1/4 c. raisins or dried cranberries 

Preheat oven to 375. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or non-stick foil. In medium bowl, combine dry ingredients - oats, oat flour (Place a scant (just less than) cup of oats in the blender and blended until powdery - measure to be sure you have 3/4 cup), baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Then add vanilla, egg, honey and yogurt. Stir until well blended.  Add in nuts and raisins. Spread cookie dough into 4 or 5 large cookies onto prepared pan. Shape with spoon and pat down a bit.  Bake 6 - 10 minutes or until done. Yield: 4 or 5 very large cookies 

Dave Willis has said "Show respect even to people who don't deserve it; not as a reflection of their character, as a reflection of yours". 

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