Baked Oatmeal with Dried Fruit & Nuts

This cross between an oatmeal cookie and a muffin is anything but boring. Serve warm with milk for an extra hearty start to the day.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups quick-cooling oats

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 eggs

1 cup milk

1/3 cup melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup mixed dried fruit bits or raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees.

2. Lightly coat a 9 inch round cake pan or quiche pan with nonstick spray. Stir together the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.

3. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla.

4. Pour over the oat mixture, add the dried fruit and walnuts and stir until well blended.

5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until set.

6. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting into wedges and serving.

7. Pour additional milk over oatmeal if desired.

- Makes 8-10 servings

Granola

INGREDIENTS

4 cups old fashioned oats

1 1/2 cups sliced almonds

1/2 cup each of chopped pecans and whole cashews

1/2 cup brown sugar or less

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or sprinkle over whole pan)

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

Optional: 1/4 to 1/2 cut ground flax seed (whole flax seed does not digest well)

AFTER COOLING: 1 1/2 cup raisins or dried fruit

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix 1st 5 ingredients.

2. Warm oil and honey in microwave.

3. Whisk vanilla.

4. Pour liquid over oats.

5. Spray 11x14 or bigger pan with nonstick spray.

6. Spread granola in pan with edges and bake 40 minutes at 325 degrees stirring every 10 minutes. Cool and add raisins and other dried fruit.

    

- Makes 24 4 oz. servings

Meat, Veggie and Cheese Frittata

Great breakfast or dinner menu item that makes “eating in 3’s” simple and delicious.

INGREDIENTS

3 Large eggs

3 Large egg whites

½ tsp salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

1-1/2 cups (4 oz) frozen broccoli florets, thawed (you can also use spinach, mushrooms, tomato, etc.)

6 oz smoked ham,  or diced or shredded chicken or turkey

1/3 cup drained bottled roasted red bell peppers, sliced into thin strips

1 Tbsp butter

½ cup (2 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat broiler with rack about 5 inches from heat.

2. Beat together eggs, egg whites, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add broccoli, meat, and pepper strips; mix well.

3. Melt butter over medium heat in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet with sloped sides. Add egg mixture to skillet; cover. Cook under broiler 5 to 6 minutes or until eggs are set around the edges (center will be wet).

4. Uncover; sprinkle cheese over frittata. Transfer to the broiler and broil 2 more minutes or until eggs are set in center and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes; cut into wedges.

    

   -Makes 4 servings

Tam's Morning Constitutional Muffins

Start your morning on the path to regularity with these digestive delights. They work everytime! I love them hot, right out of the oven for breakfast, but they also make an excellent addition to any midday meal.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup multigrain flour

(as natural as possible0

2 cups raw bran

1 cup ground flaxseed

1 cup raw wheat germ

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

8 egg whites

1 cup unsweetened apple sauce

1/2 cup agave nectar

1/2 cup skim, butter, soy or almond mil

1 1/2 cups water

1 cup raisins or pitted dates, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Line muffin tin with unbleached paper liners or reusable silicon liners.

3. Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl. Don't overmix or your muffins will be flat.

4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Muffins are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

5. Remove from heat and let cool. Serve or freeze individually.