Breakfast Sandwich

This is such an easy breakfast that the whole family will love.  Also, its a one dish breakfast!!  Runny yolks, melted cheese, delicious ham on croissant squares!!  My husband and I both love this and I find myself making this all the time, even for dinner. 

Ingredients for Two:

• 2 eggs
• 2 croissant square loafs, sliced (normal bread works too!)
• 4 slices deli style ham
• 4 slices cheddar cheese

Directions:  In a large lightly greased skillet saute eggs until cooked to your desired consistency.  For runny yolks, about a minute on each side. Place cheese slices on each piece of croissant and add cooked egg on top of one side.  Add ham slices to skillet and saute for a couple minutes.  Remove ham and place on top of egg and place the remaining croissant slice with cheese on top.  Place sandwich on skillet and saute on each side for one minute and serve!

Toddler Orzo

My little guy loves any kind of pasta and Orzo happens to be the easiest for him to eat!  He loves this dish and it is so incredibly simple to make.  I always have the ingredients on hand and I always make a little extra because I love it TOO!

Ingredients: 
1 cup vegetable broth
1/2 cup Orzo
1/4 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup frozen corn

Directions:  Bring the broth to a boil and add all remaining ingredients.  Simmer for a couple minutes then reduce heat to low and cover for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and fluff!

Lunch Salad

Mainly all of my posts are for dinners and desserts so, I often get asked about what I do for breakfast and lunch.  I am a woman of habit and I usually have this salad about 3-4 times a week.  It is fast, delicious and HEALTHY!!  I try to eat pretty clean throughout the day so I can have free range when it comes to dinner.  I usually throw in some beans and diced lunch meat if I have it on hand for some protein.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 handful bagged salad
• 1 handful baby spinach
• 1 Roma tomato, diced
• 2 tablespoons (estimate) red onion, diced
• 1 slice cheese, diced
• 1/2 cup beets, diced
• pepper, to taste
• dressing of choice

 

Directions:  Add all ingredients into a large bowl and toss!

 

Oriental Chicken Chopped Salad

This is such a light and refreshing salad which is perfect for warm and sunny days.  My husband and I both really enjoyed it and I will be making this many times this summer.  The dressing is perfectly creamy and delicious and the chicken has the perfect hint of sesame.  Definitely one of my new favorite salads.

 

Ingredients for Salad:

• 3 chicken thinly sliced chicken breasts
• 1 bag American style salad, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups thinly shredded cabbage
• 2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 1/2 cups crisp chow mein noodles
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• slivered almonds for garnish

Ingredients for Dressing:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon sesame oil, start with 1/8 and taste
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Directions:  In a large skillet saute chicken with 1 tablespoon sesame oil, around 3 minutes on each side.  Set aside and dice when cooled.  Add all ingredients in a large salad bowl, leaving a little extra oranges and noodles for garnish and toss.  Add all dressing ingredients into a mason jar and shake until well blended.  Pour desired amount over salad, toss, top with garnishes and serve.

Berry Smoothie

It's no secret that I LOVE smoothies!!!  Absolutely love them.  This specific one hands down, is my FAVORITE!  It is so sweet, filling and most importantly, it's good for me!  A perfect snack on a beautiful day!  I enjoyed mine while reading my book next to my beautiful waterfall!!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
• 1 banana
• 1/3 cup oatmeal, raw
• 1 individual strawberry Greek yogurt

Directions:  Blend well until smooth!!

Apple Dessert Pizza

This is not what I was initially going for however, I am so GLAD I got lazy.  I was planning on individual apple pie crisps but it all seemed like to much work on this amazing Washington day!  Have you ever just randomly stopped by Round Table Pizza for an personal pan dessert pizza?  I have!!  Although the one near my house doesn't have them but now I can make them myself!!

Ingredients for Dough:

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 stick unsalted butter, cold and diced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 4 tablespoons ice water

 
Ingredients for Toppings:

• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon butter, soft
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 granny smith apple, sliced

Ingredients for Glaze:

• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon milk
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla

Directions for Dough:  Add flour, salt and sugar into a food processor and grind together for around a minute.  Add in diced butter and blend until the butter pieces are the size of peas.  Add vanilla, water by the tablespoon and grind until it starts to form together.  Remove and roll into a ball and cover with plastic wrap.  Place in refrigerator for at least one hour and let come to room temperature before rolling.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Roll dough into crust leaving it about 1/4 inch thick and place in a lightly greased pie pan.  Melt 3 tablespoons butter in the microwave and stir in 3 tablespoons brown sugar until dissolved.  Pour onto dough and coat evenly.  In a small bowl mix together 1 tablespoon sugar and cinnamon.  Place apples into the pie and sprinkle with 2/3 of cinnamon sugar mixture.  In another bowl add 1 tablespoon soft butter, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon white sugar and flour.  With a fork mix together until nice and crumbly. Sprinkle over apples and top with the remaining cinnamon sugar.

Bake for 30 minutes or until sides are golden brown.  Meanwhile whisk together all topping ingredients and drizzle over dessert pizza while still warm.  If you can not serve this right away heat it up right before serving!!

Apple Pancakes

Adapted from Carla Hall's Fried Apple Pancake Rings

 

Right before I was going to whip up some pancakes I was browsing Pinterest and came across this recipe.  I had everything ready minus the apples so, why not give it a whirl?  I thought they were fantastic, my husband wasn't a huge fan but my son ate them right up.  Now when my husbands asks for pancakes I can make these for me!!!

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pancake mix, (just add water kind)
• water
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 small apple, peeled and cored

Directions: Prepare pancake mix according to package directions and mix in all other ingredients except apples.  When batter is smooth dip apples using a toothpick and place on a griddle, lightly coated with non stick spray.  Cook until golden brown on each side.  Serve plain or with maple syrup.