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French toast, waffles, and pancakes Oh My!
I know the title says how to enjoy brunch at home, and brunch consists of difficult dishes like eggs benedict or the easier ones like chicken and waffles.
Now, I'm not equipped to show you how to make Eggs Benedict...yet --I'm sure I will learn how to master the poached egg soon-- the recipes listed below are how I make your favorite breakfast classics with some of my personal tips to spice them up.
Since the beginning of the pandemonium we all searched for different things to do with this newfound free time we were granted with. For me, taking time to make breakfast beyond the usual bowl of cereal and/or granola bar.
The days where I prepare pancakes, waffles, or even the homemade McGriddles, I really set up myself up to have a great day!
On top of that, when the weekend rolls around and if you decide you don't want to go out to eat for brunch or you want to continue to save money during the panamania you can follow these recipes, too!
My favorite thing to do is add in one of these fun vanilla extract options, fresh cut fruits, whipped cream, Hershey's Chocolate sauce, and/or Snowy River Cocktail Sprinkles.
FRENCH TOAST
I had a taste for Banana Foster, but wanted to take that and put it into french toast. Something about the almond extract used, fresh banana slices, and homemade whipped cream
Ingredients:
8 slices of thick-cut bread (baguette, brioche, etc. Italian bread was used for this recipe)
4 eggs
2/3 cup milk
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
Butter
Maple syrup
fresh strawberries, bananas, or blueberries for garnish
Almond extract, optional
Tip: You know how sometimes your french toast comes out soggy in the middle but caramelized and/or burnt on the outside? Well that's from not having the correct egg to milk ratio in your batter. The eggs are what helps the batter stick and cook with the bread. You want to really get your bread soaked in the batter and keep your pan on medium/high, but not enough to cook the outside too quickly.
WAFFLES + waffle maker
Here is the waffle maker I use. It's nonstick and super easy to clean.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar (Monk Fruit Zero Calorie Sweetener)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, separate egg whites and yolks
2 cups milk
1/4 cup canola oil
Tip: Using 3 bowls, separate the egg yolks into 1 bowl, the egg whites into another bowl, and the dry ingredients into the third bowl. Combine the egg yolks with the milk, and oil. Beat the egg whites with sugar until fluffy. Whisk together the dry ingredients; flour, salt, baking powder, then add the egg yolk mix and stir well. Fold in egg white mixture.
Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour, sifted
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup almond milk (any nut milk will do)
2 bananas (blended with milk)
1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax seeds, 3 tbsp water; prepared 15 minutes prior)
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon turmeric
1 tablespoon butter
Tip: Blend bananas with milk first. This step will help thicken the milk and help take the place of eggs. The second egg replacement is flax seeds. It's best to use ground flax seeds, so blend any whole, dry seeds first before adding 3 tablespoons of water. Mixture will thicken after 10-15 minutes, resembling texture of an egg.
HOMEMADE MCGRIDDLE
Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
maple syrup, 1 tbsp for each sandwich end plus more to drizzle on top
4 eggs, scrambled in a bowl
breakfast sausage or bacon, optional
american cheese
mason jar lids
Tip: On a hot, buttered pan, place mason jar lids down right side up. Pour pancake batter into lids. Spoon a little maple syrup into the batter. Allow pancake to cook on both sides, flipping the mason lid. Use another lid, fill with scrambled eggs and allow to cook on both sides. Cook sausage and bacon as regular and build out your sandwich.
CREPES
1 cup sparkling water
1 cup + 2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons white sugar
Powdered sugar, garnish
Strawberries or other fresh fruit
Homemade jam, optional
Tip: These crepes are dairy free and easy to customize with gluten free flour! Whisk water and flour until smooth. You can make a quick homemade jam by adding cut strawberries, a few tablespoons of water, sugar or honey into a sauce pot on medium-low heat. Stirring constantly and adding in water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired thickness. Sprinkle powdered sugar for a little razzle dazzle.
HOMEMADE OLD FASHIONED CAKE DONUTS
1 cup water
3 eggs
1 box cake mix
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Tip: One day I was craving Old Fashioned donuts so bad so I purchased these silicone donut molds and was determined to make donuts from home. Other recipes made the process look too difficult. This requires just 3 ingredients; water, eggs, and boxed cake mix. And you can customize the flavors how you see fit. Add icing, make them chocolate, or glazed using powdered sugar and milk.
COFFEE and COFFEE MAKERS
My go to way to brew fresh coffee is the french press. I love how simple it is! The recipe is 2.5 tablespoons of fresh ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water. I have a big 34 ounce press so if I'm hosting people or making coffee cocktails for brunch, I can brew one big pot and serve.
Another great fresh coffee maker is the Chemex. This is how you get a fresh pot of pour-over coffee from grounded coffee beans.
And I love a good Irish Coffee; coffee, milk, coffee liqueur or amaretto and cognac creamer.
Coffee Martinis, spiked lattes, coffee and brown liquor go really well together and you can prep these drinks from the comfort of your home!
