Breakfast Basics
Are you like me in the mornings? Hopelessly looking for something healthy to feed your children all the while clutching your coffee cup? Whatever your mornings look like, one thing remains the same: we all need to eat! Making muffins from scratch (and forgoing those pricey box mixes) is not only easier on your budget but healthier too.
There are many basic recipes out there for muffins that you can adapt to your liking, here is just one to get you started:
2 cups all-purpose flour (or flour of your choice such as pastry flour)
1/2 cup sugar (or a healthier alternative such as sucanat)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk (you could even substitute almond or rice milk here)
1/3 cup vegetable oil (or a healthier version such as olive oil)
In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl beat the egg, milk and oil. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. At this point you can add in any goodies such as: chocolate (or carob) chips, nuts, craisins, etc. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full and bake at 400 for 18-20 minutes. This makes one dozen muffins. You can also adapt this for a quick bread. Pour all the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake at 400 for 45-50 minutes.
This recipe is very versatile. You could opt for some blueberries and a little lemon juice (or zest) in the mix for blueberry muffins. How about cinnamon and nutmeg (or cardamom) in the mix with a simple streusal topping? Yummy!
By taking advantage of this basic breakfast, you can help to avoid the pricey, processed versions. Who wouldn’t love that? Pair this yummy baked item with some hard boiled eggs and juice and your children will think you’ve served them a feast! Make yourself a double batch (or triple!), put some in the freezer for later use or even hide one for a yummy midnight snack.
Do you have any breakfast tips that help start your mornings off with a bang? What’s your plan of attack to avoid all the processed, sugary breakfast options?
For more yummy muffin recipes such as harvest muffins, double-chocolate fudgy muffins and blueberry streusel muffins check out the April 2010 Molly Green Digest called: Homemade Happiness, Frugal Fun & Games. Did you know that Molly Members have access to all back issues of the magazine? Give it a try and you’ll be blessed by all the frugal advice at your fingertips!
We make large batches of pancakes (7-8 cups of whole wheat flour) and keep them in the refrigerator in gallon-sized plastic storage bags. It’s easy to grab them and toss in the microwave or toaster.
I work a few nights a week, and get home after the rest of the family has eaten. I top a pancake with peanutbutter and it will hold me until lunch.
Molly says: Thanks for the tip! Do you care to share your WW recipe?
I make muffins with leftover hot cereal (cooked oatmeal and/or cream of wheat). I hated throwing it away but it gets so gloppy and my kids don’t like eating it leftover. So I finally found a muffin recipe that uses up the leftovers. I just keep putting any leftovers in a 4 cup yogurt container, either in the fridge or in the freezer (depending how long it will be until I make them). We LOVE them.
4-5 cups leftover hot cereal
3 eggs
2 1/2 c flour (wheat)
1 – 1 1/2 c brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinn and nutmeg.
(I’ve also added nuts, choc chips, dried fruit or coconut)
bake at 375, 18-20 min.
Molly says: What a handy idea! I’ve never heard of such a recipe. It will be going in my recipe box as we always have leftover hot cereal (and my kids don’t like leftovers either!).
Can I find out what Debbie Woolsey’s pancake recipe is? Thanks!
Brenda
Another item I like to make in bulk for a speedy breakfast is Breakfast Burritos. Just scramble up some sausage or if you like you can use bacon or ham chunks. scramble a dozen eggs. Lay out a tortilla and place some scrambled eggs down center, top with meat of choice, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of meat, roll up like a burrito. Wrap each burrito in plastic wrap, then Put these in a large freezer bag and refrigerate or freeze, mine usually don’t make it to the freezer. We just grab one to take to work and heat it up in the microwave, they are really yummy.
Molly says: Great idea! What a yummy (and healthier) time-saver breakfast option. Thanks for sharing!