Category Archives: breakfast

Summer Fruit Refrigerator Jam

I love this time of year and the abundance of fresh fruit. Sometimes though you might not finish all the fruit. If you are like me, you might have few lonely raspberries left in the fridge, you know the one’s that have been squished or a few over ripe peaches sitting on the counter. Give these fruits new life by making this delicious and easy refrigerator jam. This jam has only three ingredients. It’s perfect to eat with toast, on top of ice cream or try making these little yogurt parfaits for breakfast, the recipe follows below. Starting looking for some fruit now and make yourself some jam!

From by the bay, wishing you jammy food memories!

Maryann

Summer Fruit Refrigerator Jam

Ingredients

2 cups fruit, such as peeled, pitted stone fruit chopped and or berries

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Toss fruit and sugar in a non reactive medium sauce pan and let sit an hour. Add lemon juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. It’s ready when it’s thicken and runs off the spoon in big drops. Place in clean jam jar , cover and let rest to room temperature. Leave in the refrigerator until ready to use up to two months.

Yogurt Parfait with Jam and Pine Nuts

1 serving

Ingredients

2 tablespoons summer fruit refrigerator jam

6 ounces low fat greek yogurt

1 teaspoon toasted pine nuts

Directions

In a small jar layer the jam, yogurt and top with pine nuts. Serve immediately or cover overnight and serve for breakfast the next day.

My Favorite Blueberry Recipes

Celebrate Summer with some of the best blueberry recipes!!

From by the bay , wishing you blue food memories!

Maryann

Blueberry Merlot Sauce with Vanilla Gelato

2 cups fresh blueberries
1 cup Merlot
½ cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a medium sauce pan. Simmer for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Cool and place in a container. Keep in refrigerator until ready to use.
Serve as a topping to vanilla gelato.

Sweet Corn and Blueberry Ice Cream

Makes about 1 quart

Ingredients

4 ears fresh young corn, shucked
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum
1 cup whole fresh blueberries
1/4 cup sugar

Directions

Cut kernels off each ear of corn and place into a large saucepan. Break cobs into pieces and also add to pan. Add to the pan the milk, cream , 3/4 cup sugar and xanthan gum. Place on medium heat , bring mixture to a low boil for 5 to 10 minutes until mixture is thicken slightly and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, remove cobs. Using an immersion blender, puree kernels. ( You can also use a blender to liquidfy but the immersion blender is quickest and easier clean up). Let corn mixture infuse for about an hour and then pass the mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. When straining make sure you are using the back of a spoon to push the liquid through. Also scrap the liquid from the bottom of the strainer in the bowl. Place bowl in the refrigerator to chill for 2 to 3 hours. In the meantime, to a small sauce pan add blueberries and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan . Place on medium heat until the blueberries start to pop and mixture thickens. Set aside to cool. Make the sweet corn mixer in an ice cream maker according to directions. Right when the ice cream is ready slowly pour the blueberry sauce into the ice cream to swirl one or two times. Pour into a freezer safe container and store in freezer until ready to serve.

Blueberry Boy Bait
From Smitten Kitchen , which adapted it from the Cook’s Illustrated version, which was adapted from the original

Serves 12, generously

2 cups (250 grams) plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon table salt
16 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 sticks, 8 ounces or 225 grams), softened
3/4 cup (145 grams) packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup (235 ml) whole milk (though buttermilk, which was all I had on hand, worked just great)
1/2 cup (about 85 grams) blueberries, fresh or frozen (if frozen, do not defrost first as it tends to muddle in the batter)

Topping
1/2 cup (about 85 grams) blueberries, fresh or frozen (do not defrost)
1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the cake: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

Whisk two cups flour, baking powder, and salt together in medium bowl. With electric mixer, beat butter and sugars on medium-high speed until fluffy, about two minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just incorporated and scraping down bowl. Reduce speed to medium and beat in one-third of flour mixture until incorporated; beat in half of milk. Beat in half of remaining flour mixture, then remaining milk, and finally remaining flour mixture. Toss blueberries with remaining one teaspoon flour. Using rubber spatula, gently fold in blueberries. Spread batter into prepared pan.

For the topping:
Scatter blueberries over top of batter. Stir sugar and cinnamon together in small bowl and sprinkle over batter. Bake until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool in pan 20 minutes, then turn out and place on serving platter (topping side up). Serve warm or at room temperature. (Cake can be stored in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.)

Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup white sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon lemon zest

4 tablespoons melted butter

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 egg

3/4 cup fresh blueberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 F. Take a 12 muffin pan and line with paper baking cups. Put tin to the side. In a bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda and lemon zest. Add melted butter and stir. Add the egg to the buttermilk , mix and pour into the flour mixture and combine.Add blueberries and then fill each muffin liner about 3/4 filled. Place tin on baking sheet and bake on the center rack for 20 to 25 minutes until cake tester comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes then remove muffins to wire rack to cool. Serve warm or room temperature.

Pan Fried Veal with Spinach, Blueberries and Hazelnuts

Serves 4

1 1/2 pounds veal scallopini

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup chicken broth

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons whole hazelnuts

2 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs

2 teaspoons fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 garlic clove, chopped

1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes

2 tablespoons fresh blueberries

1 pound steamed fresh spinach

Directions

Toast hazelnuts and breadcrumbs on a baking sheet in a 400F oven for 2-3 minutes. Take toasted nuts and bread crumbs along with garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and red chili flakes and process into coarse crumbs. Place in a bowl and add 2 tablespoons olive oil, mix and place to the side. Flatten each scallopini between plastic wrap with a rolling pin until even. Coat veal with oil and season with salt and pepper. Heat a medium frying pan and saute veal 2 minutes per side until browned. Place on a platter and cover with foil. In the same frying pan add the stock , balsamic vinegar and bring to boil and reduce for 2 minutes. Whisk butter in pieces into the sauce. Remove from heat and add blueberries. Divide spinach between four plates with veal on top. Spoon sauce on top of veal. Sprinkle top of veal with the hazelnut mixture and serve immediately,

Favorite Homemade Granola Recipe!

I love waking up on a beautiful sunny weekend morning and making breakfast. One of my favorite breakfasts is homemade granola. It’s easy, delicious and fills the house with the most wonderful aroma of brown sugar and cinnamon. I add just a touch of chili powder for subtle heat. Homemade granola is perfect for a morning parfait of yogurt, fresh fruit or berries topped with some granola. I like to use a good quality of greek low fat plain yogurt. If you prefer a flavored yogurt try mixing it with plain yogurt – 50/50. It makes for a less sweet base for the sweet fruit and granola.

From by the bay, wishing you sunny granola mornings!

Maryann

Maple, Pecan and Cranberry Granola

2 cups rolled oats (not quick cooking)
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons maple syrup
½ cup dark brown sugar

½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup dried cranberries

optional: pinch chili powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Combine all ingredients except the dried cranberries into a mixing bowl, combine well. On a parchment lined sheet spread ingredients in 1 layer. Bake for 40 minutes until brown stirring every ten minutes until mixture is browned. Remove from oven and cool granola. Once cooled add dried cranberries and mix. Keep in airtight container. It should keep about one week.

Scrambled Eggs Breakfast Panini

We all work hard during the week! Most days I’m up and out quickly, so when I have a quiet morning without work or errands to run, it’s a real luxury. Nothing is better than relaxing with a long quiet cup of coffee, reading the newspaper ( on my ipad of course) and enjoying breakfast. This breakfast panini is perfect for one of these mornings. My favorite type of recipe is one with small effort and big enjoyment. If you don’t have a panini press you can use a a skillet and cover. Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, and cook your sandwich for a couple minutes on each side, pressing it down with the skillet cover making full contact with the hot pan.

From by the bay, wishing you relaxing food memories!

Maryann

Breakfast Panini

Makes two panini

Ingredients

4 slices bread such as ciabatta

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

4 slices prosciutto

1/4 cup shredded asiago cheese

3 eggs, scrambled moist

Directions

Heat panini press according to manufacturer’s directions. Spread butter evenly on one side of each bread slice. Layer prosciutto, cheese and scrambled eggs evenly on unbuttered side of two bread slices. Cover with remaining bread, buttered side up. Grill sandwiches in panini press, on medium-high heat, until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.

Sweet Potato Breakfast Slider

Here is the perfect breakfast treat, a small breakfast slider. These tasty little sweet potato biscuits filled with crispy bacon and fried egg would be the perfect start to any morning. It works as a quick grab and go breakfast or a relaxing start to the day with the morning paper. You’ll love these little sliders……maybe try for New Year morning!

From by the bay, wishing you sweet food memories!

Maryann

Sweet Potato Breakfast Slider

For each slider use one sweet potato biscuit sliced in half ( recipe follows), one fried egg done to your liking, one slice of crisp bacon cut in half. Assemble egg and bacon inside the biscuit . I use the biscuit cutter to make the fried egg the same size as the biscuit.

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Makes approximately 12 biscuits

Source: Food Network Magazine, Thanksgiving Issue Volume 4 Number 9 11/2011

3/4 c. cooked mashed sweet potato (about 1 large sweet potato)
1/3 – 1/2 c. whole milk, as needed
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut in to small bits

Preheat oven to 425. Grease baking sheet with butter, oil, or cooking spray. In a small bowl whisk together the sweet potato and milk (less up front, and more if needed). Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter (or a fork if you don’t have a pastry cutter) until the mixture is a crumbly texture or resemble coarse meal. Add the sweet potato mixture and gently fold to combine. Add the remaining milk a little at a time until all of the flour is moistened. The amount of milk you will need will depend on the moisture of the sweet potato. Sprinkle a small handful of flour on a work surface. Turn the dough out onto the surface and knead lightly 2-3 times with the palm of your hand until the dough comes together. Pat the dough out into a 1/2-in thick round. Using a 2 1/2-in round biscuit cutter, cut the dough in to biscuits, Gently reroll the scraps and cut out more biscuits. Place on to prepared baking sheet and bake 12-14 minutes or until light golden brown and firm to the touch. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Gingerbread Muffins

Welcome your holiday with these easy and delicious gingerbread muffins. I can’ t think of a better way to wake up on Christmas morning then to the aroma of these muffins. It’s a special way to start the day. I suggest measuring out all your dry ingredients the night before or in advance and set aside in plastic storage bag until you are ready to make the muffins. It makes for an easy breakfast. The cinnamon and spices will make your home smell of Christmas!

From by the bay, wishing you special holiday food memories!

Maryann

Gingerbread Muffins (Feast by Nigella Lawson)

Makes approximately 12 muffins

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 egg
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
6 tablespoons vegetable or corn oil
4 tablespoons dark corn syrup (I used light corn syrup and it was still fine)
4 tablespoons molasses

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease or line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper muffin cups. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices in a large bowl. Whisk the egg in another bowl, then add the brown sugars, making sure to break up any lumps.

Add the milk and vinegar to the egg-brown sugar mixture then measure in the oil with a tablespoon. Use the same oily spoon to add the corn syrup and molasses so they don’t stick to it. Whisk the mixture to combine and add to the flour and spices.

Stir until mixed but still fairly lumpy-the mixture may be more runny than you expect for muffins- but you need the dense stickiness of gingerbread, rather than a cakey crumb. Spoon or pour the mixture into the muffin cups and bake for about 20 minutes until the tops are dry.

Sweet Treats – Best Baking with Pumpkin Recipes

With Halloween less than a week away, I thought this would be a good time to share three of my favorite recipes for making sweet treats with pumpkin! I think you will find it hard to pick a favorite!

From by the bay wishing you sweet pumpkin food memories!

Maryann

Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Streusel
Serves 6-8
Ingredients

Streusel Topping

3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

Filling
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Cake

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs
1/2 cup pumpkin puree ( canned)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8” square baking pan. ( I find an 8″ square glass baking dish works best). Make the topping for cake by combining all dry ingredients in a bowl. Stir in melted butter and make large chunky crumbs, between 1/4″ to 1/2″ inch depending on preference. Place crumbs onto a parchment lined baking sheet and put into the refrigerator to cool for about 15 minutes. To make filling combine the dark brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside.To make cake batter sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt in a bowl. Use an electric mixer to cream butter and sugars together until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and beat well. Mix in the flour alternately with the sour cream and pumpkin puree and mix well. Once combined pour half the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread out with a spatula. Sprinkle the filling evenly atop the batter. Spread the remaining batter on top of the filling. Use a table knife to gently swirl the filling into the batter. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the top of the batter. Place in the oven to bake until golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean, when inserted into the center of the cake. This is approximately 50 to 55 minutes. Remove the cake from oven and let cool on cake stand about 20 minutes before removing from pan to serve.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients

For Filling

4 ounces cream cheese

1/4 cup confectioners sugar

1/4 teaspoons vanilla

For Muffins

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup pumpkin puree

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

roasted and salted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) to garnish top of muffins

Directions

In a small bowl mix the cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar and vanilla together. Place on a piece of plastic wrap and shape into a log. Place in the freezer for at least one hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Use a 12 cup muffin tray and line each cup with a paper baking cup, preferably unbleached. In a medium size bowl add the ingredients for the batter except the pumpkin seeds. Mix well. Fill each cup about 3/4 full. Remove the cream cheese from the freezer and cut into 12 rounds or pieces about 2 teaspoons each. Place the cream cheese into the batter, it should be level with the batter and showing the cream cheese in the center. Top each muffin with 5 ot 6 pumpkin seeds. Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until a tester

comes our clean from the batter part of the muffin, don’t use the tester in the cream cheese. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tray. Serve warm, cold or at room temperature.

Pumpkin Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

Muffin batter

1 ¾ cup flour

¾ cup fine granulated sugar

½ cup dark brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground allspice

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

2/3 cup sour cream

½ cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon honey

2 eggs

½ cup pumpkin puree

Topping

1 tablespoon fine granulated sugar

½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions
In a small bowl mix topping by combining sugar and cinnamon and set aside. In another bowl mix together dry ingredient s of sugar, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice and ginger. Using another bowl combine sour cream, oil, honey, eggs and pumpkin puree. Whisk together. Add ingredients to the dry ingredients in the other bowl. Mix until incorporated, batter will be lumpy don’t over mix. Take a lined 12 muffin tin and fill each muffin tin to 2/3 with batter. Top the batter with cinnamon and sugar mixture. Bake in a preheated 400 degrees F oven for 20-22 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool on rack.

Ricotta Strawberry Muffins

My grandparents farm had lots of fresh strawberries to pick. The strawberries would rarely last long enough to bake . I would say the same holds true today. But if you do find yourself with some berries this is the perfect morning treat. A moist muffin that is not too sweet. It’s the perfect start to a nice relaxing weekend morning!

From by the bay , wishing you berry food memories!

Maryann

Ricotta Strawberry Muffins
Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar, plus extra tablespoon to sprinkle on top of muffins
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon lemon zest
4 tablespoons melted butter
3/4 cup fresh ricotta cheese
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
3/4 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 F. Take a 12 muffin pan and line with paper baking cups. Put tin to the side. In a bowl combine flour, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda and lemon zest. Add melted butter, ricotta cheese and stir. Add the eggs to the buttermilk , mix and pour into the flour mixture and combine. Add strawberries, mix and then fill each muffin liner about 3/4 filled. sprinkle tops of muffins with remaining sugar. Place tin on baking sheet and bake on the center rack for 20 to 25 minutes until cake tester comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes then remove muffins to wire rack to cool. Serve warm or room temperature.

Maple, Toasted Coconut and Pecan Granola

With the warm weather outdoors and the longer days, I’m up early ready to go. It could be an early morning jog, an afternoon hike or taking a few photos at dusk along the water. When I get back to the house, it’s time for a quick breakfast or snack. This granola is perfect for both. It’s so easy to make a quick batch of this granola and keep at hand for a multitude of uses from breakfast to dessert. I’ve listed below the recipe a few ideas, and I’m sure you can think of a few yourself. The toasted coconut along with the pumpkin and sunflower seeds, make this granola especially versatile. If you haven’t tried to make your own granola this is the recipe to start with, it’s so easy. Just toss everything into a bowl , mix and spread onto your baking sheet. How easy is that ? What are you waiting for???From by the bay, wishing you simple and delicious food memories!
Maryann

Maple, Toasted Coconut and Pecan Granola

3 cups rolled oats (not quick cooking)
1 cup pepita (pumpkin) seeds, unsalted
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup shredded or flaked coconut
6 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons maple syrup
½ cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Combine all ingredients into a mixing bowl, combine well. On a parchment lined sheet spread ingredients in 1 layer. Bake for 50 minutes until brown stirring every ten minutes until mixture is browned. Remove from oven and cool granola. Keep in airtight container. It should keep about one week.

Here’s a couple of ideas for using this granola:

1. For breakfast with some tangy greek yogurt and or fruit

2. Make your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and replace the chips with granola

3. Make a fruit crisp and replace the quantities for oatmeal and nuts with granola

4. Add dried fruit and some raw almonds to make a trail mix
5. Add on top of hot oatmeal for a little needed crunch

Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes with Honey Butter

It’s a perfect spring sunday morning by the bay and I’m planning on heading to the beach for the “Annual Car Show”, featuring a wide variety of vintage cars. The very thought of the show had me thinking of classics, so I decided on another classic for breakfast my buttermilk pancakes. Much like the enthusiasts who breath new life into these vintage cars, I decided to update my classic recipe with some new ingredients, like lemon juice and zest along with poppy seeds and the results were fantastic. Set the stage for enjoying your next weekend with these delicious pancakes!

From by the bay, wishing you great classic food memories!
Maryann

Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes with Honey Butter
Serves 4-6

Ingredients
11/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons poppy seeds

2 tablespoons fine granulated sugar

1 tablespoons lemon zest
2 cups buttermilk

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 large eggs, at room temperature, separated keep egg white in separate bowl

Directions
In a medium bowl combine all dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and poppy seeds and mix. To this add lemon zest and sugar. To the dry ingredients add the wet ingredients the buttermilk, lemon juice and egg yolks and combine- do not over mix. Batter will be a little lumpy. Take the bowl with egg whites and use an electric mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks. Fold egg whites with rubber spatula into the batter. Set aside for 20 minutes. Spray a griddle pan with cooking spray and heat. Spread 1/4 cup of batter for each cake, cook approximately two minutes on the first side, the pancake will just start to bubble slightly on the outer edges and flip and cook another minute. Place on baking sheet and keep warm in oven until all cakes are made and ready to serve. Serve with honey butter and maple syrup.

Honey Butter

Ingredients
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon honey

Directions
To butter add honey and combine well.

entertaining by the bay

casual cooking and living

Category Archives: breakfast

Summer Fruit Refrigerator Jam

My Favorite Blueberry Recipes

Favorite Homemade Granola Recipe!

Scrambled Eggs Breakfast Panini

Sweet Potato Breakfast Slider

Gingerbread Muffins

Sweet Treats – Best Baking with Pumpkin Recipes

Ricotta Strawberry Muffins

Maple, Toasted Coconut and Pecan Granola

Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes with Honey Butter