broccoli snack

While at the day care one day during nap time I got an odd craving.  My nap time cravings usually consist of cookies or hidden chocolate... sound  like home?  I imagine homes with kids hide special sweets!  Only this craving involved healthy stuff and I just happened to have the three ingredients I needed... broccoli, cream cheese and Melba toast. 

I first learned how to make steamed broccoli in the microwave when I was a teenager and my Mom had gone on a diet in which she ate a chicken breast, steamed broccoli, cauliflower and squash with a side of Melba toast and maybe a piece of cheese on the toast it seems.  The chicken and veggies were all cooked in the microwave but not together.  We had these Tupperware microwavable bowls that had lids that didn't seal.  The chicken had lemon pepper seasoning and it's bowl was partially covered with plastic wrap to let steam escape and the vegetables had lemon pepper and dill.  I think we all got hooked on this combination.  I know for sure Tracy and I did.  Not for the weight loss but because it all smelled so good and was easy for us to cook and clean up.  At least I hope we cleaned it up after ourselves.  Sorry Mom if we didn't!

I have used this simple way of steaming broccoli ever since and used it the day of my craving last week.  I had said that I was going to try and share a green recipe each week during March and you can't get much greener than steamed broccoli!  You could make these for yourself or to share.  Enjoy!

Another Brak-fast! Cinnamon Toast

Another one of my easy breakfast "go-to" sweet breads, because I don't feel right unless I almost overdose on sugar before I leave the house, is Cinnamon Toast.  This is so easy to do it's just pitiful. 

This recipe is for four pieces of sandwich bread.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a half of a stick of softened butter, that's 1/4 cup, in a small bowl.  To the butter add a small scoop of sugar, not quite 1/4 cup, a splash of vanilla and a shake or two of cinnamon.  Spread butter mixture on only one side of each slice of bread.  Place bread on ungreased cookie sheet, butter side up.  Place in preheated oven and cook for 7 minutes.  After seven minutes, turn the oven off and the broiler on.  Watch toast carefully.  After about three minutes the toast should be done, lightly browned on top.  Take out and enjoy with your eggs and bacon that you cooked while the toast was in the oven... wait.. did I forget to say that you should be multi-tasking during the cook time?  Make use of it Honey... there's only so long before you have to leave for work!  Have a great day!

 Don't be afraid!  Spread it on thick!  You won't be sorry.

 Don't forget... butter side up here.

 Perfectly tanned like Bahama Mamas!

 The bottom.  That butter just soaks to the bottom.  Oh my.

 The top.  Please refrain from licking your screen.  I know it's tempting.

French Toast for Two

Good morning!  I cook breakfast everyday for my Hun and me.  No matter what I cook it doesn't take longer than about fifteen minutes.  It is just part of our routine everyday to sit down for a few minutes to eat breakfast together before heading out for a long day.  We both enjoy it and wouldn't have it any other way.  Plus it keeps both of us out of the gas station morning money trap or fast food lines.  I would much rather spend fifteen minutes in the kitchen cooking breakfast and hanging with Shaun than sitting in a drive through line.  Think about it.

This morning I made sausage, one fried egg for Shaun and four pieces of french toast. The sausage and egg you can figure for yourself.  I cooked the sausage first while I slapped the french toast dip together.  Then fried the egg in the sausage grease (gross.. I don't care for fried eggs but the Mr. loves them) then drain the grease and follow these directions: 

In a shallow bowl, combine with a fork, one egg, 1/4 cup milk, a splash of vanilla and a few shakes of cinnamon.  Melt a tablespoon of butter in your already hot skillet.  Dip the first two pieces of bread into the egg mixture and coat both sides.  Then transfer them into your skillet.  Don't leave the bread in the mixture to soak or you won't have enough dip for four pieces of bread.  Allow the bread to cook on each side for two minutes on medium heat.  Transfer to breakfast plates (paper plates = less clean up) and repeat with remaining two pieces of bread.  Drizzle maple syrup over and enjoy. 

I began breakfast this morning at 6:21.  We sat down to eat at 6:37.  Make time to feed yourself.  It doesn't have to be this breakfast.  Maybe I will share more of our breakfasts that I make with you just to show you how easy and fast it can be to include breakfast into your bust morning.  At least you know what wen in it and didn't wait in line inhaling exhaust for it. 

Have a great day!

Here is someone else that likes breakfast. 

You might have to press pause on my music at the bottom in order to enjoy this video. 

Please don't forget to unpause for your listening pleasure once this clip is done.