Berry Kale Smoothie

What's the formula for PI?
Eh, apple or blueberry?...

For the past couple of weeks, I have made the switch to smoothies for breakfast (and I'm totally lovin' it!).  I was surprised by how full a smoothie, packed with greens and greek yogurt, keeps me going well into lunch time.

This one is full of berries and kale, but the kale can be easily substituted for spinach and the berries for peaches.  Go with what you have on hand, and what your taste buds feel like.  The fruit you add hides most of the flavor of the greens.

Here's what you need for 1:
3/4 cup of orange juice
3/4 cup of fruit (I used blueberries and raspberries)
2 large dollops of plain greek yogurt
2 large handfuls of greens (I used kale)
3-5 ice cubes

Blueberry Blackberry Lemon Bread

Knock-knock.
Who's there?
Army.
Army who?
Army and you still going for ice cream?

Blueberry Blackberry Lemon Bread.  Say that three times fast.

Over the weekend, I was lucky enough to receive some fresh picked blueberries from my buddy Whitt.  Hopefully this recipe will do her berries justice.

So many delicious things are made with blueberries: pie, cobbler, crisp, muffins, cake, fruit salad, smoothies, Gin cocktails, or just straight up.  I decided to go with a bread (the thicker bigger version of a muffin).  We picked up some blackberries on sale at Kroger and lots of lemons....mmm....berries and lemon....add sugar and you've got a party for your mouth. 

Here's what you need (for 2 loaves, one for you, one to share):
3 cups of blueberries and blackberries
3 cups of all purpose flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
12 tablespoons of unsalted butter
2 cups of sugar, plus 2/3 cups of sugar for glaze
4 eggs
4 teaspoons of lemon peel
1 cup of milk
7 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

6 Quick Blueberry Muffins

Why did the muffin go to the doctor?
Because, it was feelin' crummy.

Yum!  Who doesn't love blueberry muffins?!  This is a simple and quick recipe that makes 6 muffins.

Look at all that oozy blueberry goodness!

You could probably substitute any berries you have on hand.  The main thing is to not over mix the batter.  We desire light and fluffy goodness.  Let muffins cool all the way, so the bottoms do not get stuck in the paper.  These will keep for up to 2 days in an air tight container, but are best the day of.

Here's what you need:
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/8 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of flour
2 tablespoons of sugar, plus 2 teaspoons
1 cup of blueberries
1 egg
2 tablespoons of Plain Greek Yogurt (or sour cream)
2 tablespoons of canola oil
6 tablespoons of milk

Birthday BLTE

Age is a question of mind over matter.
If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

If you can't already tell by the candle (and The Carte Blanche Old Fashioned from last night), the husband's birthday celebrations have begun!  We started off the morning with a requested, Birthday BLTE.

Bacon, bacon and more bacon (it was his birthday, why not.), a variety of greens from our garden (tour of the garden to come soon!), vine tomato, and two slightly runny fried eggs.  Since he is not a fan of mayo, I made up a quick and dirty basil oil to use to wet the toast.  All and all, he had a big smile on his face and lots of crumbs on his shirt.

Here's what you need:
2 slices of bread, toasted
8 or so leavese of basil
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 vine tomato
a variety of mixed greens
center cut bacon, bacon, and more bacon (at least 6 slices)
2 eggs, fried and slightly runny

Beet and Basil Toast

What does a slice of toast wear to bed?
Jammies.

In the morning, sometimes I crave something really earthy.  We recently planted our front herb garden and back vegetable garden, and I had some great basil to use.  I decided to make a quick and healthy Beet and Basil Toast.  The sweetness of the beets really compliments the basil....and who doesn't love goat cheese?!  This also would probably make a yummy appetizer.

Here's what you need (for 1 toast):
1 slice of whole grain toast
1-2 tablespoons of goat cheese
5-6 fresh basil leaves, sliced
2-3 roasted beets, sliced

Sauteed Spinach and Kale with Tomato, Roasted Red Peppers, Egg and Bacon

Why did the pig go into the kitchen?
He felt like bac-on.

If you can't already tell....the Week of Salads for Dinner is starting to digress.  I unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on who you ask) was thinking about bacon this afternoon and it was all downhill from there.  Here's a "salad" that can be eaten anytime of the day: breakfast lunch or dinner.  Sauteed Spinach and Kale with Tomato, Roasted Red Peppers, Egg and Bacon.

Here's what you need:
2-3 slices of bacon
1 vine tomato
2 thick roasted red pepper slices
2 hard-boiled eggs
1/2 a bunch of kale
1 whole bag of spinach, or about 6 oz.
salt and pepper to taste

Goat Cheese Strawberry Tart with Basil

What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry?
If you were soooo sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam.

Left-over pie crust can make a number of delectable goodies the next day.  I took my left-overs from yesterday's post, rolled it out all free form style and left it in the fridge over night...to be topped with sweetness for Sunday brunch.

Here's what you need for a quick Goat Cheese Strawberry Tart:
left over pie crust and/or make some using yesterday's recipe:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, plus extra for work surface
1/4 teaspoon of salt, plus 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and more to taste
3/4 cup cold unsalted butter
1/4 cup of cold water

For topping:
1-2 oz of goat cheese
1 cup of strawberries (I used frozen and defrosted them in the microwave)
1-2 tablespoons of jam (this one is boysenberry)
2-3 thinly sliced basil leaves

French-a-fied Toast

How do you make an apple turnover?
Push it down a hill.

My favorite, favorite, super favorite breakfast is something we like to call French-a-fied Toast.  All morning there has been cold rain and thunder happening outside, so I thought today was the perfect day to make a cozy comforting breakfast.

French-a-fied Toast in our house is whatever leftover bread you have, soaked in a eggy mixture, and either fried on the stove top or baked in the oven (if you're feelin' fancy).  This morning, I had some leftover hamburger-style buns.  As I started slicing the buns, I thought about layering the bread.  Then, the layering thought had me thinking about what to put in between the layers.  And layers with filling had me thinking about lasagna.  So, thus, fancy Lasagna-Style French-a-fied Toast was born.

Here's what you need (enough for 2 people, double/triple for more):
leftover bread (I had 2 hamburger-style buns)
2 eggs
1 tablespoon of heavy cream (if you don't have heavy cream, just double up the milk)
1 tablespoon of milk
1 teaspoon of cinnamon, plus 1 other teaspoon of cinnamon
1 dash of salt
1 sliced apple (I used fuji)
a few drops of Agave or Maple Syrup
1/4 cup of granola (recipe on blog from  3/19/13)
1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup.

Nutty Granola

Did you hear the joke about peanut butter?
I'm not telling you...you might spread it.

I love peanut butter.  Sometimes I will grab a spoon and just eat a bit straight out of the jar (ok, sometimes I don't use a spoon).

This post has absolutely nothing to do with peanut butter (sigh, I know, stay with me...).  I could try and make the connection for, "I was thinking about peanut butter, then thought about those peanut butter granola bars, then thought about how we were out of granola", but that would be sort of stretching the truth.  Really, we were out of granola and all the jokes I know about nuts are well, too dirty for The Dirty Floor blog.

Back on track.  Granola is delicious.  Granola is also expensive, so why not make your own Nutty Granola at home? (This is suuuuuuuuuper easy, and the result is delicious!!!)

Here's what you need:
4 teaspoons of vanilla
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup maple syrup (get the good stuff)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
5 cups of old fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking)
1-2 teaspoons of cinnamon
2 cups of chopped pecans (walnuts, or whatever kind of nuts you're feelin' like)

Toast with Goat Cheese, Tomato and Balsamic

Why is breakfast in bed so easy?
It's just a couple of rolls and a turnover.

Ok, Okay.  I will admit, I am a bit of a morning coffee addict.  I love it.  I especially love the automatic Nespresso milk frother that was given to us as a wedding present.  Coffee topped with warm frothy milk and cinnamon powder is like waking up in a relaxing snuggly cloud.

Some days, I skip breakfast all together and opt for multiple cups of cloudy goodness.  Today, I was craving something savory in addition to my coffee...Toast with Goat Cheese, Tomato and Balsamic.

Here's what you need:
1-2 slices of whole grain/whole wheat toast
1-2 teaspoons of plain goat cheese
slices of fresh tomato (any kind would work, I used small vine here)
1 teaspoon of reduced balsamic vinegar (or a thicker, aged more balsamic would also work)
salt
pepper 

Clementine Kiwi Fruit Salad

Why did the orange stop rolling down the hill?
Because, it ran out of juice.

 As you may be starting to tell, breakfast in the house varies.  Today, I was craving fruit salad and as luck would have it, we had some kiwis and clementine oranges in the fridge.  Fruit salad for me is pretty basic.  Check what fruit you have, chop it up, and let it hang together for an hour (or a few seconds if you're hungry) so the salad marinates in its own juices.  I do not like to add sugar to fruit (unless we are talking apple pie...mmm, pie...).  If you feel like you are in need of more juicy-ness, squeeze some extra orange juice on whatever fruit combonation salad you're making.


Here's what you need:
Fruit (I used kiwi and clemintines here)
Knife
Bowl

Spam and Eggs

Why did the chicken jump in the lake?
Cause the rooster egg-ed her on.

On the weekends my hubby takes time to make himself an actual breakfast, made of food, well, food he has to chew.  This morning, he decided to make one of his favorite breakfasts-es-siz....breakfastzes... Spam and eggs.

Yes, you heard me right, spam.

Cue the wrinkled up faces and thoughts of grossness.  If you can't tell, this is not my go-to weekend long-cook meal (can someone say french toast? stupendous.).  But, if you, like my husband, are feelin' the need for some grease on your bones, go for it.

Here's what you'll need:
2 eggs
4 oz of Spam
1-2 teaspoons of greek yogurt
1-2 teaspoons of milk, or cream, if you're feelin' extra decadent (I mean, you are about to eat Spam)
Salt (we like rosemary salt, which is basically salt baked with rosemary)
Pepper
1-2 skillets, you can cook all in 1 if you desire Spam-flavored eggs
Salsa or hot sauce
Cheese for topping

Smoothie Tip

What did one banana say to the other?
You're a-peeling!

The man of the house loves to make smoothies for breakfast. One day we were sitting around talking about smoothies (I can't for the life of me recall why) and we were wonderin' how we could cut down the sugar without compromising the already delicious tastyness of it all.

Eureka, what if we use only half a banana?! Even better, what if we put the bananas in the freezer and make them last longer?!

Twice as many bananas = twice as many lower sugar smoothies. Brilliant.