Not Just For Thanksgiving: Pumpkin Feta Tart

french pumpkin tart with feta cheese

February is my least favorite month for cooking.  Oh sure, there is plenty of chocolate for Valentine’s Day, and little else to do besides putter in the kitchen all month.  Even so, every year, right about the middle of February, I lose steam.  With minimal produce for inspiration, and the holiday festivities a faded memory, I cave to take-out and frozen pizza more often than I’d like to admit. 

Do the winter blues hit you too?

As I sit here wishing for spring, planning my vegetable garden and dreaming of tiny strawberries, I’m attempting to jump start spring with a round of spring cleaning.  Today we tackled the basement and the kitchen cabinets.  And do you know what I found lurking at the back of my pantry?  A can of pumpkin.  It may not be a farmer’s market basket, but this vitamin-filled little can really jazzed up our quick winter supper.

You already know about my love of pumpkin.  Layered in a yogurt parfait, swirled into oatmeal, stuffed in ravioli, or baked in a cupcake, you really can’t go wrong with canned pumpkin. The slightly sweet earthy pumpkin works wonderfully with the salty tang of the feta and the nutty flavor of the swiss chard in this simple tart. A sliver of this tart would probably be a very nice appetizer for a fancy dinner party, but a big wedge also works well as a main course served with a big arugula salad dressed in good olive oil and lemon juice.

I like this Easy Olive Oil Tart Crust recipe from the wonderful Chocolate & Zucchini but you can use any tart crust you like.  You could even use refrigerated pie crust dough here and I’m sure the tart would still turn out wonderfully.  I do think that a good tart pan, with a removable bottom, is pretty important, though.  Before investing in a tart pan (really, not a very big expenditure) I made many mediocre tarts in a pie plate.  The too-deep, flat sides of the pie dish result in a soggy crust, and an unpleasant filling-to-crust ratio.  If you don’t have a tart pan, you might be better off making a rustic crostada – just roll out the dough on a baking sheet, spread the filling in the middle, leaving a two-inch border.  Fold the crust edges into the middle, brush with a bit of oil, and bake until golden.

Pumpkin Feta Tart

Serves 6 (as a main course)

1 recipe of tart crust dough 

3/4 cup thinly sliced onion

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 cups thinly sliced fresh swiss chard

salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

2 cups canned pumpkin

2 eggs, beaten

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Carefully press the crust into a 12-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.  Refrigerate the crust while you prepare the filling.  Saute the onion in oil over medium heat until soft and just beginning to darken. Add in the swiss chard and cook 1 minute more. Season liberally with salt and pepper and stir in the rosemary.  Remove from the heat.  In a medium sized bowl, stir the pumpkin and the eggs well to combine.  Season with salt and pepper.  Remove the crust from the refrigerator.  Spread the pumpkin mixture evenly in the crust.  Sprinkle the swiss chard mixture evenly over the pumpkin mixture and top with the feta cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes.  Serve warm or room temperature.

Published in: on February 18, 2012 at 8:16 pm  Comments (11)  
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Spiked Raspberry Chocolate Milkshake Shots

raspberry chocolate milkshake shots

I’d venture a guess that television sales soar on the day before the Superbowl.  This year, we did our part to propel retail sales, and this afternoon, our new 42 inch flat screen was erected in its place of honor in the living room.  With friends coming over, the Patriots playing, and a fancy new tv to boot, I figured I had better step up my game in the kitchen this year.

I adore football food.  We’ve covered my obsession with Superbowl snacks before.  Last year, I made four varieties of gourmet pigs in a blanket and mac ‘n beer cheese soup. But this year I decided to go old school with BBQ turkey burger sliders and sweet potato fries.  Simple, crowd pleasing snacks – but missing something.  A sweet, creamy something.

We have a number of new, trendy burger joints in town.  I adore each and every one.  Juicy burgers, crispy french fries, and sweet, creamy milkshakes.  My favorite local burger spot has started making spiked milkshakes, and they are fantastic.  It didn’t take long for us to realize that we could make our own spiked milkshakes at home.  Of course, for Superbowl Sunday I like everything to be finger food, bite sized and easy to grab from the coffee table.  Which, for milkshakes, translates to spiked shake shots. 

Nothing could be easier – just whir ice cream, milk, liqueurs, and chocolate sauce in the blender and pour into cute shot glasses.  Add a straw (bottom cut off), and a little fruit for garnish, if you like.  These raspberry chocolate shake shots are my favorite, but you could do almost any flavor.  An orange creamsicle shake, made with Grand Marnier, would be lovely.  I dream of a caramel apple shake made with dulce de leche ice cream, apple liqueur and a drizzle of caramel sauce. And we’ve enjoyed a wonderful mocha shake with Kahlua and Godiva liqueur.  The possibilities are endless.

Enjoy the big game!

Spiked Raspberry Chocolate Milkshake Shots

Makes about 8 shots

1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

1/2 cup milk

1 ounce Chambord (or other raspberry liqueur)

1/2 ounce Godiva chocolate liqueur (or other chocolate liqueur)

1 tablespoon chocolate syrup

frozen raspberries, for garnish

In a blander, combine all ingredients except the raspberries.  Whir until smooth and spoon carefully into shot glasses.  Garnish with raspberries and serve with straws with the bottoms cut short.

Published in: on February 4, 2012 at 7:38 pm  Comments (8)  
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Orange Quinoa Pancakes

whole grain pancakes breakfast

Sometimes, when it snows, I crave warm, comforting winter foods.  Spicy soups, hearty stews, cheesy quiches, and yes, syrup-drenched pancakes.  Other times, mid-snow storm, I’ll find myself with a hankering for summer sweetness.  I’ve been known to bake up a batch of blueberry corn muffins in a blizzard, and always keep a pint of strawberry ice cream in the freezer for snow days.

I spent the last week in Florida for work, and came home yesterday to this winter wonderland. Sweet, juicy oranges and pretty pink grapefruits were everywhere in Florida. So, of course, I stuffed a few in my suitcase. I’m glad I did because as soon as I got home, I was craving the sunny, bright orange flavor. But, as expected, I was also in the mood for a hearty winter breakfast.

These orange quinoa pancakes fit the bill. They are both sweet and nutty. The hearty texture fills my belly and fortifies me against January weather, while the light orange flavor gives me hope that summer is out there, months away, but out there – eventually. Full of protein, fiber and vitamin C, these delicious little pancakes provide enough power to propel me through shovelling the driveway.  (OK, actually, Jeff does most of the shovelling around here, but after a few pancakes, I certainly could get out there and clear the sidewalks!)

I love quinoa, and often cook up a big batch all at once.  Leftover cooked quinoa is great in pancakes, of course, but also adds bulk to salads, makes for a tasty omelet filling, and is delicious as a breakfast porridge when heated with a bit of milk and honey. You could certainly play around with the flavors here, and other fruits as well.  Adding some banana slices and a handful of raisins to the pancake batter would be yummy. But for today, I’m all about the Florida citrus! These pancakes don’t have much sugar, but if your oranges are good and sweet, just a tiny drizzle of honey is all it should take. 

protein breakfast fruit vegetarian

Orange Quinoa Pancakes

Serves 4

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

pinch of salt

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (plus extra for the pan)

1 egg

1 cup cooked quinoa

2 large oranges

2 tablespoons honey

Sift together the flours, baking powder, salt, sugar and cinnamon.  In another bowl, wisk together the milk, oil and egg.  Stir the dry ingredients into the wet, and stir in the quinoa.  Zest both of the oranges, avoiding the white pith, and add the orange zest to the batter.  Set the batter aside and let it rest for a few minutes.  Meanwhile, peel the remaining pith from the oranges, and cut the orange segments between the membranes, into little slices. Drizzle the orange segments with the honey and set aside. Heat a greased nonstick skillet (or griddle) over medium heat.  Spoon a scant 1/4 cup of batter per pancake into the heated greased pan and cook until the edges firm.  Flip and cook another two minutes until golden. Continue to cook the pancakes in batches.  Serve warm topped with the orange and honey mixture.

Published in: on January 21, 2012 at 7:55 pm  Comments (13)  
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Favorite Black Bean Soup

hearty black bean soup

Let me start out by saying that this is not a vegetarian black bean soup.  There are a lot of wonderful vegetarian black bean soup recipes out there, but this is not one of them.  This soup is rich, intense, and full of meaty flavor. So full of flavor, in fact, that it really needs no adornment. I top most black bean soups with a sprinkle of feta, a wedge of lime, a dollop or sour cream, a drizzle of chili oil, or a handful of red onion. But with this soup, even a sprig of parsley is really overkill. 

The key to building rich and meaty flavor is using both the capocollo and the beef stock.  If you don’t have capocollo, which is cured pork shoulder or neck, proscuitto will work as well.  Really good beef stock is essential here.  Actually, I kind of think it’s always essential.  The stuff from a can is pretty much salty water – better to use water.  But home made stock is not always an option.  A number of local markets in my area sell house made stock, which is wonderful.  It’s usually found in the freezer area and makes all the difference in the world when you don’t have time to make a batch of your own.  In a pinch, high quality soup base works too (I’ve used Penzeys with good results).

beans

As for the beans, canned or dried – both work great.  In terms of taste, and even texture, I think the difference between canned beans and cooked dried beans is minimal.  But dried beans are incredibly economical, and also have much less sodium than the canned varieties, so I like to cook up a big batch and use them to make hearty soups, main-dish salads, flavorful dips and even filled omelets.   To cook most kinds of dried beans, rise and then soak in water overnight.  Then drain, add new water, and boil until tender.  The beans will keep for a few days, even up to a week, in the fridge.  My friend Julie even cooks and then freezes batches of beans, but I have to admit that I have yet to try freezing, although it does sound wonderfully convenient.

All of that is to say that this can be a great, quick, weeknight meal.  A few cans of beans and a bit of gourmet store-bought stock and you have dinner on the table.  Or, you can take your time.  Cook up a big batch of black beans, make your own stock from scratch.  Either way, the results will be fantastically tasty!  And this soup reheats well – that is, if you have any leftover.

easy rich black bean soup

Black Bean Soup

Serves 6

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced carrot

1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

3 cloves garlic, chopped

3 ounces capocollo, chopped

1 cup tomato puree

4 cups cooked (or canned and rinsed) black beans

5 cups beef stock

salt

freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oil in a medium sized pot. Add the onion and carrot and saute over medium heat until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.  Add the pepper, garlic and capocollo and continue to cook, stirring, until the capocollo starts to brown, about 10 minutes more. Add the tomato puree and reduce the heat to medium low.  Stir in the beans and the stock.  Simmer for 30 minutes.  Transfer two cups of the soup to a food processor and puree.  Return the puree to the soup pot and stir well to combine.  If you like your soup smoother, puree more than two cups. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve hot.

Published in: on January 7, 2012 at 4:15 pm  Comments (11)  
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Meyer Lemon Marmalade

marmalade

I did a little happy dance this week when I found meyer lemons on sale at Whole Foods.  I’m not kidding, I really did jump around and wiggle a bit – until I realized that my husband was pretending not to know me. 

When I got home with a few dozen meyer lemons, it occurred to me that I had no plan for what to DO with them.  I made a lovely, simple arugula and pine nut salad dressed with meyer lemon juice and olive oil.  I added a hefty sprinkle of meyer lemon zest to a bowl of wild rice. Then I thought about making sorbet, but realized I had no room in my freezer. And yesterday, I suggested lemon chiffon pie, to which my husband turned up his nose.  

citrus

So this afternoon, with a pile of meyer lemons, and a desperate desire to avoid the mall, I decided to experiment with making meyer lemon marmalade as a Hanukkah gift for my step-dad.  My step-dad has a thing for lemons in any form, and at any given time may have three or four open jars of marmalade in the fridge.   A match made in heaven! 

I’ve never had much luck with marmalade before.  Typically, marmalade requires boiling the peel of the fruit and discarding the boiling liquid multiple times before combining the pre-boiled peel with the juice, pulp, water and sugar to cook.  This process is, frankly, a pain in the butt.  I get impatient.  I skip a boiling step.  My marmalade tastes so bitter you may as well spread some soap on your toast.

But meyer lemons are different.  These bright yellow beauties are sweeter and have a thinner peel than your typical grocery store lemons, thinner, in fact, than most citrus fruits.  With minimal pith, the meyer lemon as a whole is less bitter.  Plus, that thin peel cooks quickly, making the extra boiling steps unnecessary in this marmalade.  That’s not to say that this marmalade is all sweetness and no bitterness.  Not at all.  I think the balance here is quite lovely.  But be warned; this is a true marmalade, as bitter as it is sweet.

meyer lemons

This marmalade makes a pretty gift for the lemon-lovers in your life.  It’s a great holiday hostess gift, and would be a wonderful addition to a holiday brunch spread.  I happen to like it best with whipped cream cheese on pumpernickel toast.  It would also be nice as a topping for buttermilk pancakes, or stirred into oatmeal along with some sweetened dried cranberries.  Or, if you want to get all fancy, serve it with clotted cream and fresh baked scones.

marmalade

Meyer Lemon Marmalade

Makes about 2 cups

6 meyer lemons

2 cups water

1 1/2  cups sugar

Rinse the lemons.  Slice them very thinly with a sharp knife, and discard any seeds.  Very thinly slice the 12 end pieces and then quarter each of the center slices. Transfer the sliced lemons and any accumulated juices to a medium saucepan.  Add the water and bring to a boil. Boil for five minutes. Stir in the sugar and continue to stir until the sugar dissolves, about a minute.  Then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring every so often, for about 30 minutes.  Toward the end of the cooking time, keep a close watch on the marmalade.  It is done when a dollop placed on a very cold plate (stick a plate in the freezer for this) gels and holds its shape.  If it is runny, continue to cook for a minute or two more and try the cold plate test again.  Spoon the marmalade into jars and either refrigerate or process in boiling water for 10 minutes to preserve.

Published in: on December 18, 2011 at 4:36 pm  Comments (12)  
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Miso Pork Chops

miso marinated pork chops

You know what’s wrong with pork chops?  Well, for most people, absolutely nothing.  They are juicy, tasty, and quick to cook.  What could be wrong? 

Here’s what’s wrong: they are ugly. You’ve probably never noticed, but pork chops aren’t the most photogenic subjects.  So I’m attempting to distract you with some beautifully bright green veggies – look at the shiny emerald objects! Is it working? Probably not.  And that’s fine, because ugly or not, these pork chops are fantastic. 

These quick and flavorful pork chops are a perfect weeknight dinner, but they are exciting enough to serve to company, and also make for fantastic leftovers.  Reheated, sliced and tossed with some rice and steamed veggies, they may be even be better the next day. Of course, they are awfully tasty straight from the oven, served alongside some sauteed sesame-sprinkled green beans.

If you haven’t use it before, don’t let miso paste scare you.  It is lovely, salty, earthy, and intense – not to mention healthy! Miso is fermented soybeans (sometimes with rice or barley as well), and generally sold as a paste.  There are many varieties of miso, but I’ve found white and red miso paste are most common in my local grocery stores. In general, the deeper the color, the more intense the flavor of the miso paste.  I threw together this recipe to use up the remnants of a tub of miso paste, and have used up another tub of miso paste making it again and again. But if you find yourself with some extra miso and need some inspiration, check out this recipe for saucy soba noodles with ground pork: Pork Noodles. 

Japanese miso pork chop

Miso Pork Chops

Serves 4

3 tablespoons red miso paste

3 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons fish sauce

2 teaspoons sriracha (chili sauce)

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

4  boneless center cut pork chops (each about 1 inch thick)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Wisk together the miso paste, soy sauce, fish sauce, sriracha, ginger, garlic, and 1 tablespoon of oil.  Arrange the pork chops in a shallow dish and drizzle with the marinade, turning to coat both sides.  Cover and  marinate for 20-30 minutes. Grease a rimmed baking sheet with the remaining oil. Arrange the pork chops on the baking sheet (they should be well coated with marinade; discard any excess marinade) and bake for 15-20 minutes.  Be careful not to overcook, but do cook to an internal temperature of 145 degrees.  Serve right away.

Published in: on December 4, 2011 at 8:34 pm  Comments (13)  
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Maple Cheesecake

cheesecake

Most people would probably disagree, but I think the best part of cheesecake is the crust.  I love that graham cracker crumbly deliciousness. The cheesecake part of cheesecake is growing on me, but for many years I considered it an over-rated dessert.  Somewhat plain, not quite worth the calories. And frankly, plain old New York cheesecake still doesn’t do much for me.

But smooth, sweet silky maple cheesecake is a whole different story. 

Maple syrup screams holiday season to me, and it makes everything feel more festive.  We devoured this whole cake at Thanksgiving (which means I still have a ton of leftover pumpkin pie – anyone have any fun ideas for what to do with half a leftover pie?) and I plan to make it again for Christmas.  With a subtle maple syrup flavor in the cake, and a more intense punch of maple syrup in the crust, this cake blew away the rest of our dessert spread. It’s smoother than a traditional New York cheesecake, a truly decadent texture. And you know what?  You don’t really have to wait for a holiday to make this cheesecake.  There is nothing wrong with cheesecake on a Tuesday.

Maple Cheesecake

Serves 10-12

1/2 cup toasted walnuts

3  cups graham cracker crumbs

1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter

1 1/2 cups maple syrup, divided

24 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup sour cream

4 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Candied Cranberries for garnish (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a food processor, grind the nuts until well chopped, but not a paste. In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, nuts, melted butter, and half a cup of maple syrup.  Press the mixture evenly into a 10-inch springform pan and wrap the bottom of the pan with two layers of foil to prevent leaks.

Beat the cream cheese until fluffy.  Add the sour cream and beat until incorporated. Add the eggs one at a time and then the vanilla and beat well, scraping down the edges of the bowl. Fold in the remaining cup of maple syrup. Carefully pour the cream cheese mixture into the crust. Bake for 60-70 minutes until golden on top.  The cake will not be set, but will set as it cools.  Chill the cake overnight before unmolding and serving.  Top with a handful of candied cranberries, if desired.

Published in: on November 27, 2011 at 8:11 pm  Comments (15)  
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Cranberry Chocolate Chip Frozen Yogurt

I believe in dessert.

I believe in dessert every day.  Which is probably why I do not believe in bikinis! 

But in all seriousness, a tiny taste of sweetness, a little bite of pleasure each and every day is my definition of good living.  As I mentioned last week, the folks at Fage (makers of wonderfully creamy Greek yogurt) have asked a handful of bloggers to weigh in on the concept of good living, and to my mind, what it really boils down to is one simple word: dessert.

Dessert is about indulgence, about treating yourself well, about a moment of pure pleasure.  It doesn’t have to be extravagant - a square of dark chocolate, a bowl of sweet berries – but it does have to be savored.  Without guilt.  Gobbling up a cupcake and spending the whole night worried about the calories is not part of living the good life. All bikini jokes aside, I think good living is about finding a balance that includes dessert. 

When I was in high school, I spent a summer in France, living with a family in Lyon.  My French ‘Mom’ made all my meals. My lovely picnic lunch always included a tiny sweet treat.  And our fresh and flavorful multi-course dinners always ended with an indulgent bite of something lovely.  The pleasure of dessert defined that summer.  And yet, I lost 10 pounds.  Go figure.  

Fifteen years later, I still haven’t figured out how to eat like a French woman.  But lightened up treats help me to keep balance and live the good life.  Frozen yogurt is, of course, a constant favorite. Lately I have been obsessing over creamy, tart versions, and am loving making my own. This cranberry chocolate chip frozen yogurt is extra tart thanks to the seasonal fruit, and lusciously creamy when made with Fage Total.

This frozen yogurt would be a wonderful addition to a Thanksgiving spread.  But personally, I like to savor a scoop while sitting on my sunny porch all on my own. The sweet, tart flavor of the yogurt plays off the rich bits of chocolate.  And the color is beyond pretty!  But the best part of this recipe is how quick and easy it is to make.

Cranberry Chocolate Chip Frozen yogurt

Serves 4-6

12 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed

2/3 cup sugar

3 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons strawberry jam

18 ounces Fage 2% plain Greek Yogurt

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a saucepan, cook the cranberries and sugar over medium low heat, stirring often, about 10 minutes, until the berries all burst.  Press the cranberry mixture through a strainer (this will take some effort as it will be thick and jammy, just be patient and press with the back of a wooden spoon).  Discard the solids in the strainer and cover and refrigerate the strained sauce. Once chilled, stir together the cranberry mixture, maple syrup, jam, and yogurt until well combined.  Add the mixture to your ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturers directions, adding the the chocolate chips towards the end of the process.  This yogurt is at its best and most creamy when eaten right away, but can be stored in a sealed container in the freezer for a few days if need be. 

As part of the Foodbuzz Featured Publisher program, I have been entered for the chance to win a trip to Greece courtesy of FAGE. You too can enter to win one of three trips to Greece by entering the FAGE Plain Extraordinary Greek Getaway here: http://www.fageusa.com/community/fage-greek-getaway

Published in: on November 13, 2011 at 8:07 pm  Comments (5)  
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Good Living for Breakfast: Pear, Yogurt, and Feta Frittata

greek yogurt frittata

On day two without electricity here in chilly Connecticut, I began to dream of the sea.  On day three, I saw sparkling azure water and white Cycladic houses perched on craggy cliffs. By day four I was imagining myself relaxing in the sunshine on a balcony high above the Mediterranean, sipping coffee from a dainty espresso cup and munching honey-drenched loukamades. By the time the power came back,  five days after our freak fall snowstorm, the Greek Isles were calling my name. 

Enjoying a leisurely breakfast on that hilltop hotel balcony, with the sea breeze in my hair and the scent of Greek coffee filling my nose - now that would be good living!  And with impeccable timing, the folks at Fage Total (makers of luscious, creamy, healthy Greek yogurt), through the magic of Foodbuzz, have asked a handful of bloggers to weigh in on the concept of “good living.”

It would be easy to live the good life on a sun-drenched Mediterranean beach.   But here’s the thing: I’m not in Greece.  And neither are you (well, most of you).  We’re here, in our own real world lives, where we don’t eat breakfast off cobalt porcelain while lounging on hotel balconies. If you’re like me you make a mad dash to work and scarf down breakfast at your desk.  Or maybe you devour a granola bar while driving carpool, or grab a donut from the drive-through.  Despite our busy schedules, good living shouldn’t be reserved for vacation.

I’m on a mission to make good living happen every day.  And I’m starting with breakfast.

fage total frittata recipe

Turning my desk into a cafe in Mykonos may not be realistic, but I can certainly do better than a handful of cereal on a napkin and a paper cup of coffee.  To me, good living is about enjoying the details.  It starts with a good coffee mug.  Mine is pink, heavy and just the right size.  Filled with hot coffee, its rounded shape keeps my cupped hands warm as I sip.  Real utensils, too, are worth the effort.  Although they have to be washed, they make a meal feel like a meal, something to be savored not simply consumed.  I have a stash of spoons, forks and cute little plates in my desk drawer that help me to enjoy the moment of my breakfast, however short.

Someday I might actually make time to eat breakfast at home, but for now, I have an arsenal of quick portable breakfasts that still make me feel pampered. It’s no surprise that most of my favorite quick breakfasts include Greek yogurt – it’s creamy, decadent, and chock full of protein.    The possibilities are endless, but here are just a few of my favorite on-the-go or at work breakfasts:

pumpkin greek yogurt

-My Pumpkin Yogurt Breakfast Parfait 

-Fage 0%, fig jam, and toasted pine nuts layered in a portable container and sprinkled with cinnamon

-An egg, scrambled with a bit of chipotle hot sauce, rolled in a tortilla with canned black beans, a spoonful of Fage 0%, and a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro if you’re feeling fancy

-Fage 0%, a handful of dried cherries, and a few chocolate chips stirred into (instant or reheated) plain oatmeal

-Toasted ciabatta topped with Fage 2%, orange zest and strawberry jam

-A PB+J parfait: slightly warmed smooth peanut butter stirred into Fage 2%, layered with strawberry jam and sliced banana (and maybe even crumbled crisp bacon if you’re in an Elvis kind of mood!)

-A smoothie made of dried dates microwaved in a cup of orange juice, then whirred in a blender with Fage 2%, ice and honey

-This Pear, Yogurt and Feta Frittata!

This frittata is my latest breakfast obsession. It’s quick to make, so if you can spare a few minutes of sleep, it would be a great candidate for a leisurely at-home weekday breakfast.  But it reheats wonderfully, in either a toaster oven or a microwave, so it’s a perfect take-to-work option, assuming you have kitchen access on the job.  But even if you don’t, this frittata is delicious cold or at room temperature.  And if you’re really on the go, it is incredibly fantastic stuffed into a pita with an extra dollop of yogurt, a drizzle of honey, and even a handful of toasted nuts if you like.

fage total

I’ve always been a big fan of the sweet and salty combination.  The salty feta, tangy yogurt, sweet pear and earthy honey make for a fantastic taste experience.  What is really special here, though, is the texture of the eggs.  Adding yogurt to the egg mixture makes this frittata taste anything but healthy.  But it is healthy, and to my mind, good living requires nutrition as well as indulgence.  This frittata fits the bill; it tastes wonderful, looks beautiful, feels decadent and powers me through my morning.  And it works great for lunch or dinner too.  I should know since I just ate it for three meals in a row!

Pear, Yogurt and Feta Frittata

Serves 3-4

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 eggs

3 egg whites

6 ounces fat free Greek yogurt, divided

pinch of salt

pinch of freshly ground black pepper

1 small pear, thinly sliced

2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

3 tablespoons honey

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat the oil in a nonstick oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Wisk the eggs, egg whites, and half of the yogurt together until smooth and no lumps remain (this can take a few minutes).  Stir in the salt and pepper. Add the egg mixture to the skillet and swirl slowly to make sure it settles evenly in the pan.  Quickly arrange the pear slices on top and then sprinkle with the cheese.  Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the egg is set and the cheese melts, about 10 minutes.  Remove the skillet from the oven and slide the frittata onto a serving plate (it should slide out easily). Drizzle the frittata with honey and serve with a dollop of the remaining yogurt. Delicious hot or cold!

As part of the Foodbuzz Featured Publisher program, I have been entered for the chance to win a trip to Greece courtesy of FAGE. You too can enter to win one of three trips to Greece by entering the FAGE Plain Extraordinary Greek Getaway here: http://www.fageusa.com/community/fage-greek-getaway

Published in: on November 6, 2011 at 12:00 pm  Comments (16)  
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Pumpkin Muffins/Cupcakes with Honey Walnut Cream Cheese Frosting

pumpkin cupcake

The cupcake versus muffin debate is as old as time.  Some say that frosting draws the line; cupcakes are frosted, muffins are not.  Others say it’s about the ratio of fat to flour. Still other folks claim it’s about using oil or melted butter (muffins) versus creamed sugar and butter (cupcakes).  I like this last one, I think, because fluffy creamed butter and sugar result in a more airy pastry. Which is why I’m having a hard time deciding if these pumpkin cuties are muffins or cupcakes. The frosting and soft crumb would indicate cupcakeness.  But the frosting could easily be served alongside as a spread, and the butter here is melted and moderate in amount, so I’m thinking it’s really more of a muffin.

In reality, it doesn’t matter.  They are delicious.  Whatever we call them, they are filled with fall flavor and pumpkin goodness, and I have no qualms about eating them any time of day.  They would be great for Halloween – for breakfast or dessert!

muffin with honey walnut cream cheese

While these Muffins/Cupcakes are lovely on their own, I think it’s the cream cheese icing that really makes them spectacular.  My mother-in-law and I share an obsesion for honey walnut cream cheese.  She came over for breakfast last week and I bought bagels and honey walnut cream cheese from our local bagel shop.  And then I ate up the rest of that cream cheese on graham crackers as a fabulous evening snack through the rest of the week.  And when I finished that tub of cream cheese, it occurred to me that I could easily make my own.  Just whip some cream cheese, a bit of honey, and a few toasted walnuts together and that’s it!  It’s fantastic on toast, on a banana, on waffles, and, of course, on pumpkin Muffins/Cupcakes.

pumpkin muffin with cream cheese

Pumpkin Muffins/Cupcakes With Honey Walnut Cream Cheese Frosting

makes 24

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup applesauce

1/2 cup melted butter, cooled

4 eggs, beaten

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree

16 oz cream cheese, softened at room temperature

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease two 12-cup muffin tins. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. In a separate bowl, wisk together the sugars, applesauce, butter, eggs, and pumpkin.  Add the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Divide the batter among the muffin tins and bake 20-25 minutes until set.  Cool.

While the muffins/cupcakes cool, make the frosting. Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy.  Add in the honey to combine, and then the nuts.

Frost the cupcakes (or serve alongside the muffins!) and enjoy.

Published in: on October 28, 2011 at 6:25 pm  Comments (9)  
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