Blueberry Orange Oatmeal Muffins - Win

I do love my muffins!

Now that I'm back to shift work and the kiddos are in daycare, I actually get a bit of time to do some large batch cooking. This time was some home made granola bars and muffins. Instead of going to my usual apple muffins, I decided to try something new. Plus I had an orange sitting around that needed to be used.

This is yet another solid recipe from Damn Delicious. I only made two variations, - using vanilla greek yogurt instead of plain, and I omitted the vanilla extract (mostly cause I didn't have any) and using just regular sugar instead of Turbinado. Just as described these are a hearty and tasty muffin, and the smell simply delicious. I mean who doesn't love the smell of orange zest?

The batch whipped up quickly and the keep very well. The only difference is that the recipe states that it makes 11 muffins but I came out with 14. Maybe I just make mine a bit smaller, but keep that in mind when trying this one out.

These muffins are perfect for breakfast or snacks, and will definitely end up in our lunch bags as a tasty and healthy treat.

Enjoy!

Oven Bacon - Win!

We have been doing Oven Bacon for so long that I totally forgot it was one of my original pins! I really can't believe it, it was such a good pin that it got integrated into our weekly lives so easily.

We have a tradition in our house that most Sundays my hubby cooks pancakes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast. The process used to take a ridiculous amount of time before a) we got a griddle and b) we discovered oven bacon. 

No more cooking in small batches and dealing with splatters or unevenly cooked bacon! Now your bacon can be cooked with minimal mess and ends up perfect every time!

The original pin was from Here. We've adjusted our method to baking at 425 because we like crispy bacon and it cuts on time a bit. Tinfoil is essential to minimize mess. This can easily be done on a standard cookie plan with a small edge, or anything you have that's similar. Cook time is 15-20 minutes depending on your temp, bacon thickness, and desired crispyness. I start checking it after about 10-12 minutes and monitor closely. 

Each piece is flat, crispy, and cooked evenly. 

Why didn't we think of this earlier!

mmm...now I want more bacon.

Enjoy!

The Quest for the Perfect Soft Boiled Egg - Volume Two

Success! We have success!
After my failed breakfast I was both hesitant and excited to try this again. I found another pin from Pinterest on Soft Boiled Eggs, this one a little different but seemed to produce solid soft results.

And the outcome? 

Perfect soft boiled eggs! Whites were nice and firm, yolks still runny but cooked. Perfect for dipping, or what ever other tasty creations you have for your soft boiled eggs. 

I've tried this recipe a couple times to ensure no-fail status and I am pleased to say the total of 8 eggs I made turned out the same (except for the lone one that exploded).

This is a definite winner for those who have trouble with the perfect soft boiled egg!

The Quest for the Perfect Soft Boiled Egg - Volume One

A couple months ago a friend of mine posted on Facebook about how she was discussing breakfasts with some coworkers and was weirded out that none of them had heard of Soft Boiled Eggs and Toast Solders. None of them.
My brother and I grew up on these tasty breakfast items, we called them Dipper Eggs. Must be my Scottish heritage. It was always a fun morning when we got to draw faces on our eggs, boil them, then lop their heads off and dip out the insides with toast sticks (solders). Yummy!
So back in November my mom came out for a visit to help with the kids while my hubby banked some major overtime, and I told her about my friends Facebook post. And that in turn became a challenge to find egg cups to hold the tasty soft boiled eggs we were going to make the next morning.

You know how many stores we went to that didn't have egg cups, or even know what they were?? 5. FIVE! Then my mom went to two other stores back in my home town and finally at store #7 was able to find lovely little egg cups.

So Christmas morning I open a box and inside was 6 little egg cups. Dipper eggs for breakfast!! Well, not Christmas Day, that was another tasty breakfast I'll report on later.

Getting to the point - Since I have not eaten dipper eggs in about 15 years, and my mom hasn't made them either. So off to Pinterest, cause it's my new recipe Google. There are so many different ways to cook soft boiled eggs!

I decided to go with the 'traditional' method. Once water is boiling, place eggs GENTLY into the water, remove pot from heat and let sit for 5 min as per the instructions. 
Results - FAIL
Eggs were barely cooked, whites were still very runny.

So the eggs (except for the one we cracked into) were returned to the water, plus one more. Boiled for 3 minutes, keeping the pot on the heat this time.
Results - Hard boiled eggs.
The egg that was replaced and not re-cooked was left in for a bit longer (I can't remember the time) and was sort of soft but mostly hard boiled. 
Fail again. But at least edible this time.

I was so disappointed I didn't even take a picture to document my failure.

I will continue to attempt to prefect the soft boiled egg, because I really want my son to experience this awesome breakfast.

Stay tuned for Volume Two

Overnight Oatmeal - Clean Eating Win!

I love breakfast but I find it one of the most challenging meals of the day, especially during the week when my hubby is already off at work and I have myself and two kids, plus all the fur-children to wrangle and feed. So for me, something quick, healthy, and filling is needed so I can get everyone out the door on time.
A while ago I came across recipes for Overnight Oatmeal, otherwise called Summer Oatmeal since it is typically eaten cold. I was a little apprehensive about cold oatmeal, but this past week I decided to jump in and give it a try. 

A few notes about Overnight Oatmeal...
1) Despite all the images on Pinterest, a mason jar is NOT required for this to work. After some research, other people have used plain Tupperware with a lid, or like me, a regular bowl covered with cling wrap. 
2) You can use any type of oats. Steel cut oats will give a crunchy texture, quick oats a softer oatmeal. I've used Quick Oats and Large Flake Oats and both turned out great. The large flake was a denser more chewy oatmeal, and I prefer the quick oats. You can experiment as you like.
3) Speaking of experimenting, the flavor combos are ENDLESS! No getting bored with this oatmeal!

I've tried two versions of Overnight Oatmeal. You can also add flax seeds, chai seeds, nuts, protein powder...again the options are endless. Just look on Pinterest!

My Oatmeal recipes
The measurements are approximate with the exception of the oats and milk. Everything can be adjusted to taste. 

Have fun!

Chocolate Banana and Peanut Butter

1/4 cup oats
3/4 cup almond milk 
1/2 ripe banana (can be mashed in during prep or sliced on top before eating)
Couple tsp coco powder
1 tsp honey
Couple tsp peanut butter (I may end up heating it first next time so there won't be PB globs in my oatmeal)
Mix together, cover, and let sit in the fridge overnight
When ready to eat, give it a good stir, add any toppings you'd like and enjoy




















Apple Cinnamon

1/4 cup oats
3/4 cups almond milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 apple, chopped
Mix all ingredients except apple. Cover and let sit in fridge overnight. In am stir and add in apple.


Banana Nut


1/4 cup oats
3/4 cup almond milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp peanut butter (optional)
In am add sliced banana and pecans/walnuts/almonds to oatmeal