Tag Archives: brunch

Easy English Muffin French Toast

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I came into a windfall of English muffins the other day, and was like “ahhhhhhh.” I haven’t had one of these delicious, bready split rolls in a long, long time and was ready to work them into my weekend. I had a longer run planned for Saturday morning and knew those carbs would do me some good as fuel. So, let’s do this!english muffin french toast close up

But, I also wanted just a bit of protein to balance things out and to make sure I didn’t get the sugar shakes out there on the trail. Giving English muffins a soak in a bath of whisked egg and milk and then pan “frying” was the perfect solution. The signature nooks and crannies and spongy texture of the muffin absorbed all this eggaliciousness and my newly minted English Muffin French Toast was a huge hit and proof that the English and French can get along.      Continue reading →

Sheet Pan Maple Beef Sausage – Breakfast Win for Holiday Crowd

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Sheet Pan Maple Beef Breakfast Sausage

The care and feeding of house guests over the holidays can be stressful. As a clutter bug and mama of three messy boys, I can almost guarantee that you’ll never see the disaster that lies outside the frames of my blog and Instagram photos. But my in-person family and friends will, err, notice, so I’ll usually cancel a run or trip to the gym to get the house tidy — and that can feel like quite a workout in itself! And, while I love to cook, I’m used to feeding 4 or 5 at a time– not 15 people plus! Cooking bacon or sausage for an army in the morning is one of my pet peeves. It’s messy, time-consuming and I’m usually stuck in the kitchen and missing out on all the Christmas morning fun around the tree! Sheet Pan Maple Beef Sausage uses lean ground beef, real maple syrup and just the right spices to make a quick, easy and mess free breakfast or brunch option that will feed a crowd.To solve this breakfast prep problem, I came up with Sheet Pan Maple Beef Sausage – I was super excited to share it with my breakfast-obsessed friends at BeefLovingTexan.com It’s basically one HUGE sausage patty cooked all at once in the oven – no flipping, splattering or batch cooking. Plus, my always-starving teen boys and teen nephews can’t come by to “sample” it all away before serving time! When ready to serve, simply slice into bars or wedges, it couldn’t be any easier!

Everyone who eats my sheet pan sausage always raves and mentions how much better homemade sausage tastes – they are always pleasantly surprise to discover it’s made with lean beef – not fattier pork. The secret to making lean ground beef taste like breakfast sausage is all in the spices and flavorings. This beef sausage uses ingredients like paprika, cayenne and real maple syrup for a mildly spicy-sweet flavor.

So, should you feel guilty about indulging in this sausage for a holiday brunch or even “brinner”? NO! There are 24 servings per batch, with each piece containing approximately 100 calories and 12 grams of protein.  In addition to protein, lean beef is also a great source of iron, zinc and other essential nutrients. For optimal protein intake (25 – 30 grams per meal) have a couple slices, or pair a slice with an egg scramble.

sheet-pan-maple-beef-sausage-egg-biscuit

Prefer a breakfast sandwich?  After sausage is cooked, use a biscuit cutter to make a round shape and use a halved buttermilk biscuit to bookend!  The leftover bits from cutting circles can be crumbled up to use in soups, quesadillas, salads and more.

Sheet Pan Maple Beef Sausage for hungry holiday crowds #christmas #brunch

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Do you have a traditional dish for breakfast or brunch? Are you a sausage or bacon person? Are you tidy or messy, a hoarder or minimalist when it comes to keeping house? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer 

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Sheet Pan Maple Beef Sausage
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 
Feed your hungry holiday crowd a special breakfast or brunch -- this easy beef sausage bakes in the oven and is low mess, low stress and very delicious!
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients
  • 3 pounds 90%/10% ground beef
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried sage
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon all spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon caynne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375F.
  2. Place ground beef in large bowl and gently work in syrup with hands. In small bowl, toss together onion, garlic, sage, thyme, syrup, brown sugar, paprika, allspice, cayenne, salt and pepper. Sprinkle over beef and work spices in with hands, taking care not to over handle beef (creates toughness).
  3. Line rimmed baking sheet (approx. size 13” x 18”) with foil and gently press in meat mixture to reach corner to corner, maintaining an even thickness. Place pan on center rack of oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160F degrees with instant-read meat thermometer.
  4. Carefully remove pan and drain off any excess liquid. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  5. For wedges, cut into 12 equal-sized rectangles (3 columns, 4 rows) and then cut each rectangle on the diagonal. Or, use biscuit cutter to make rounds and then crumble up remnants for use later.or wedges, cut into 12 equal-sized rectangles (3 columns, 4 rows) and then cut each rectangle on the diagonal. Or, use biscuit cutter to make rounds and then crumble up remnants for use later.

Artichoke Blue Cheese Baked Eggs for Holiday Brunch

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The holiday season is imminent and busy shoppers are filling their baskets with hams, birds and beef roasts to deck out dinner table.  But, let’s not talk turkey, let’s talk eggs! With Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the other equally celebratory winter holidays that people hold near and dear, many of us will find ourselves hosting guests. And, in my experience, guests are always ready to eat from sun up to sun down.  I’m happy to  all my ravenous revelers, in fact I love cooking for company — I just don”t like to feel rushed in the morning.

Artichoke Blue Cheese EggsMy easy Artichoke and Blue Cheese Egg Bake comes to the rescue on so many levels – it’s simple to make, can be prepped the night before and kept in the fridge until next morning, can be make in individual servings or in one big family-style pan, and . . .most, it just tastes delicious!

Artichoke and Blue Cheese Egg Bake

Artichoke and Blue Cheese Egg Bake makes is a beautiful recipe for brunch or breakfast. Lovely for holiday entertaining.

Who wants a bland, boring breakfast when the flavors of blue cheese and artichokes are ready to add extra AMAZING to the day?! Also, there are tomatoes and a ton of spinach in this recipe, so it’s also kinda like eating a salad for breafast or brunch. This statement makes even more sense when I tell you that blue cheese dressing is one of the secret ingredients!  artichoke blue cheese egg bake prep

I actually posted this egg recipe in January 2104 after developing for Litehouse Foods using their award-wining Simply Artisan Reserve Blue Cheese Crumbles and OPA Blue Cheese Dressing (made with Greek yogurt). Because it has been so popular, I decided to refresh the photos — oh, and also it will be featured in an upcoming 2017 food calendar!   Ooh, I wonder if it will be the centerfold — keep you posted!

This is the perfect breakfast to power up for all that upcoming Black Friday shopping or as a simple, light dinner when you come home from the shop-a-thon and need quality protein and healthy veggies for recovery.

Brunch for holiday guests and power shopping! Artichoke Blue Cheese Baked Eggs #thanksgiving breakfast

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What do you like to serve holiday house guests for breakfast? Are you running in a Turkey Trot this week? What has your best shopping deal been so far (I know it’s early) — please share in the comments, XOXO – Jennifer 

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Artichoke Blue Cheese Baked Eggs
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
Wake up to bold and beautiful baked eggs featuring artichokes, blue cheese, spinach and tomatoes. Easy to prep night before and then just stick in the oven.
Course: Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • baking spray
  • 3 to 4 ounces fresh baby spinach, wash and dried
  • 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing I used OPA Blue Cheese from Litehouse Food
  • 2 tablespoons diced red onion
  • 1 tablespoon snipped fesh chives
  • 15-20 grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 7.5 ounce jar, quartered, marinated artichokes
  • 8 large eggs
  • 4 ounces blue cheese crumbles
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°.
  2. Lightly spray 4 ramekins or small gratin dishes with baking spray. Coarsely chop spinach and divide evenly among dishes.
  3. Drizzle even portions of blue cheese salad dressing over spinach and sprinkle with red onion.
  4. Slice grape tomatoes in half and drain liquid from jar of artichoke hearts. Place tomatoes and artichokes around perimeter of dishes.
  5. Gently crack 2 eggs over top of spinach mixture, taking care not to break yolk. Repeat for remaining 3 personal-sized baking dishes. Sprinkle tops with chives. This may also be made in a 8” to 9” round baking dish with all the ingredients for “family style.”
  6. Place dishes on a rimmed baking sheet and place on center rack of oven. Back for approximately 20 minutes or until egg whites have set and yolk has achieved desired level of doneness.
  7. Remove from oven and sprinkle tops with an even portion of blue cheese crumbles. Let cool for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Colorful Carrot and Pea Tart Recipe + More Spring Brunch Ideas

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Colorful Carrot & Pea Tart is an easy but showy addition to your spring celebration brunch or dinner.When I first started dating my husband, I remember an older family friend saying we go together like “peas and carrots.” I wondered what that even meant! But I remembered that classic frozen veggie mix I used to be served as a kid, and it was always peas and carrots –both a little naturally sweet and packed with wholesome goodness, but each very different at the same time – green v,. orange, round vs. square diced, firm vs. soft textured. These similarities and differences pair up like no other – they are the perfect complement to one another, just like the hubs and me.

Colorful Carrot and Pea Tart makes a light lunch or showy addition to your spring brunch.So, in honor of peas and carrots and recently celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary, I’m sharing a harmonious, must-have recipe for your next brunch — Colorful Carrots and Peas Tart. This garden gorgeous recipe is ideal for your spring celebrations including Easter, Mother’s Day, bridal showers, graduations and more.

I’ve used tri-colored baby carrots to kick up the color even more and pre-made puff pastry dough for quick convenience. I’ve kept the creamy layer of my Colorful Carrots and Peas Tart lighter by using reduced-fat dairy products and Opadipity by Litehouse™, a Greek yogurt-based savory dip with fewer calories and less fat than conventional products. Carrot and Peas Tart is a vibrant addition to your spring brunch, featuring wholesome goodness from the farmer's market.
Also, in keeping with the Peas & Carrots theme, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite recipes that feature peas and/or carrots for a collection on Mode.com.

Check out Pea & Carrot Recipes for Spring

by The Fit Fork at Mode

What goes together like #PeasAndCarrots ? My Colorful Peas & Carrots Tart and your Easter brunch!

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What is on your menu for Easter weekend? Or, what is your favorite spring vegetable? Please share in the comments below — XOXO, Jennifer

This post is sponsored by Mode.com and Litehouse Foods. All opinions are my own.

Carrot and Peas Tart is a vibrant addition to your spring brunch, featuring wholesome goodness from the farmer's market.
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Colorful Carrot and Pea TArt
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 
Bring family together for brunch with our gorgeous, garden-fresh tart. The classic combination of English peas and carrots gets a tastefully trendy upgrade for your spring table.
Course: Appetizer, Main Dish, Side Dish, Vegetable
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 medium egg, whisked
  • 1 1/2 cups tri-colored baby carrots cut into thin discs
  • 3/4 cup shelled fresh English peas
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup Opadipity by Litehouse™ Spicy Asiago Artichoke
  • 1/3 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup additional Opadipity by Litehouse™ Spicy Asiago Artichoke for servingadditional Opadipity by Litehouse™ Spicy Asiago Artichoke for serving
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
  2. Place parchment paper or silicone mat on baking baking sheet and unfold thawed puff pastry dough. Using knife, carefully score ½” inside perimeter without cutting all the way through. Fold sides up and pinch dough at the corners.
  3. Brush dough on top and sides with egg wash. Use tines of fork to slightly puncture dough to prevent puffing while baking.
  4. Bake for 10 minutes or until turning lightly golden brown. Remove from oven. If still puffed up in center, gently push down with fingers.
  5. Mix together cream cheese, dip, mozzarella cheese, parsley and salt in small bowl. Using spatula, gently spread across bottom of tart crust.
  6. Add olive oil, peas and carrot slices to skillet and sauté for about 3 to 4 minutes or until softening and lightly caramelized. Add on top of cheese layer.
  7. Return tart to 400 F degree oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, taking care that edges don’t over brown.
  8. Cut into squares or wedges and serve with additional OPAdipity.

Brunch on This | Tipsy Topsy Turvy Cranberry Ginger Cake

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Tispy Topsy Turvy Cranberry Ginger Cake delicious for breakfast, brunch or dessert!Merry Christmas, y’all! Actually, I’m getting my post up late . . . so the day is almost over, but I hope lots of hugs were had, laughs were shared and memories were made!  With our oldest home from college, it’s been wonderful to have everyone together again . . .  and get back the full-immersion effects of being the only female of five people under the roof.

christmas jennifer and boys 2015

Today, I made big Christmas morning brunch for my kiddos, husband, mom and dad and family visiting from out of town.  A few of the dishes are traditional non-negotiables, like the Overnight French Toast, Barn Raiser Beef & Egg Bake, and Cinnamon Monkey Bread.  But, I always like to come up with a new holiday brunch recipe – and this one for Tipsy-Topsy-Turvy Cranberry Ginger Cake was a hit! There is still plenty of holiday time left to make this delicious dish which can also double as a dessert (throw a scoop of ice cream on top). Don’t worry, the alcohol content in the liquor burns off, so it’s just fine to feed to the children.

Cranberry Upside Down Cake

Oh, so did I mention that after brunch and presents and clean-up, we went stand-up paddle boarding?! Only in Austin!

Jennifer Fisher of thefitfork.com stand up paddle board

Brunch on this –> Tipsy Topsy Turvy Cranberry Ginger (Coffee) Cake

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So, what was your most memorable happening today? Or, have you ever made an upside down cake — with what fruit? Please share in the comments, XOXO — Jennifer

Cranberry Upside Down Cake
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Tipsy Topsy Turvy Cranberry Ginger Cake
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 
Course: Breakfast, Fruit
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup Grand Marnier liquor
  • 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons grated Meyer lemon zest
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • Lemon slices, cranberries, whipped cream optional garnish
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. In small saucepan, melt butter and whisk in liquor and brown sugar. Stir in ginger and lemon zest and continue to cook for 2 minutes until combined and beginning to bubble.
  3. Spray pan with cooking spray and pour brown sugar mixture into bottom of pan. Add cranberries to top of brown sugar mixture; set aside.
  4. In medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
  5. In another bowl, whisk together oil, milk, eggs and vanilla. Pour wet contents into bowl of dry contests and beat for 2 minutes with mixer or by hand, until well combined but not over mixed.
  6. Pour batter over cranberries.
  7. Bake for approximately 50 minutes in center rack of oven or until toothpick pulls clean.