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Breakfast, Brunch

Dutch Crunch French Toast

September 21, 2017

dutch crunch french toast

One thing I hate about fresh bread is that it doesn’t stay fresh for very long.  I had some left over Dutch Crunch bread that wasn’t fresh enough to eat, and I decided to use it to make Dutch Crunch French Toast.  It was really yummy!  I was going to add some Bailey’s to the batter, but I realized I did not have any.  I had some Grand Marnier which is just as good to use.

dutch crunch french toast 3

I don’t make french toast very often even though I love it because I am trying to be healthier and stay away from gluten.  However, it’s really tough because I love bread.  I just try to limit how much I eat these days.  It was a treat for me this morning.

 

 

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Dutch Crunch French Toast
Dutch Crunch French Toast with Grand Marnier
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Cut the Dutch Crunch bread into medium size slices. If you make them to wide, they will be soggy.
  2. Whisk the eggs and all the other ingredients together.
  3. Dip bread into egg mixture and coat well before placing in skillet.
  4. Cook on both sides for approximately 5 minutes or until they appear done.
  5. Sprinkle powdered sugar over top before serving with fresh fruit and your favorite syrup or jam.
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Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch

Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tartlets

August 5, 2017

Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tarlettes

I have been experimenting a bit with different Quinoa recipes, and made Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tartlets.   Quinoa is gluten-free and it much healthier than other options.

Quinoa

I like the Trader Joe’s Organic Quinoa that you get in the frozen section.   However, you can find organic quinoa in other brands as well that require cooking it on the stove.

Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tarlettes

You need a mini tart pan which you can find almost any where these days.

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Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tartlets
Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tartlets have just the right amount of spice.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
people
Instructions
  1. If you buy the quinoa that needs to be cooked, follow the package instructions. Usually it takes about 15 minutes to cook. If you buy the organic quinoa that is already cooked from Trader Joes, just heat up according to box instructions.
  2. Once the quinoa has been cooked or heated up, place in a large bowl and immediately add the cream cheese so it melts and mixes easier.
  3. Add all the other ingredients except the eggs and mix together.
  4. Beat eggs together and then pour into quinoa mixture and mix well. The eggs help bind the mixture together so that it does not fall apart.
  5. Spray your mini tart pan with cooking spray and then fill with the quinoa mixture.
  6. Cook at 350 in the over for 20 minutes and let cool for about 5 minutes.
  7. Use a knife around the edges to help get the tartlets out without breaking them and serve on a platter.
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Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Gift Ideas

Fig Jam

August 3, 2017

Gourmet Girl Does Real Estate

Fresh figs can be found this time of year in the produce section at some gourmet groceries stores or farmers markets.  Believe it or not there are about 6 different types of figs:  Black Mission Figs, Brown Turkey Figs, Adriatic Figs (also called white figs), Calimyrna Figs, and Kodota Figs which are less sweet than the other figs.

Figs in basket

I found the Brown Turkey Figs, and they are very sweet.  Figs are one of those fruits that can be used for so many things.  You use them in a salad, on a cheese platter freshly cut or in jam form like this recipe.  you can also use it to baste on a pork tenderloin or chop.  It would also be really great with lamb.  And of course my original intent when I bought the figs was to braise them in a port and serve over ice cream, but I decided I would make this jam instead.

Figs with Sugar for Jam

I hope you enjoy this recipe!  If you like it, I would love to have you comment on my blog post for this recipe.

 

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Fig Jam
Fig Jam
Gourmet Girl Does Real Estate
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings
cips
Ingredients
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings
cips
Ingredients
Gourmet Girl Does Real Estate
Instructions
  1. Cut the top part of the stem off of the figs and dice.
  2. Place the figs in a large bowl with the sugar and mix. Set in the refrigerator for one hour.
  3. Place the fix and sugar mixture in a sauce pan and turn on medium to medium low heat.
  4. Add the zest of the 2 lemons along with their juice.
  5. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for approximately 30 minutes or until the mixture thickens. Frequent stir until done.
  6. I personally like to keep the jam chunky, but if you wanted it more smooth you could put the jam in a food processor to puree if you wanted.
  7. Once done, you can store in mason jars and refrigerate. The jam should last like most other jams because of the acidity of the lemons and balsamic vinegar.
Recipe Notes

Ways to use my fig jam:

  • Serve with a cheese platter
  • Serve over ice cream
  • Serve on toast
  • Make PBJs
  • Baste over pork or lamb
  • Great gift idea in mason jars
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Breakfast, Brunch

Gluten Free Cornmeal Pancakes

July 19, 2017

Cornmeal Pancakes Gluten Free

I absolutely love anything with cornmeal, so I thought I would experiment with making healthy gluten free cornmeal pancakes.  I wanted to leave out the gluten and the unhealthy sugar, so I used a bit of gluten free flour with the cornmeal.  I also added some of my favorite protein powder because I need to have protein with my breakfast.

Cornmeal Pancakes Batter

This is a really easy recipe that you can improvise without fail.  This recipe made 6 pancakes, so you will need to double or triple the recipe if you want to make it for more people.

Cornmeal Pancakes Gluten Free 3

I used my favorite cast iron skillet, but you can use any skillet you want.

Compote for Cornmeal Pancakes

I made this quick and yummy compote with the pancakes using fresh berries since I had fresh rasberries and blackberries in the refrigerator. I got my protein and antioxidants in for breakfast!  If you don’t want to use fresh berries, you can just use a low sugar syrup or the stevia syrup which you can find at Whole Foods.

Print Recipe
Gluten Free Cornmeal Pancakes
Try these really yummy gluten free pancakes with protein powder.
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American Food
Prep Time 10 Minutes
Cook Time 5-8 Minutes
Servings
People
Ingredients
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American Food
Prep Time 10 Minutes
Cook Time 5-8 Minutes
Servings
People
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Add the cornmeal, gluten free four and protein powder in a large bowl.
  2. Add the grapeseed oil and half to a third of the almond milk and stir. Continue to add the almond milk to get it to the right consistency. If you did not add any protein powder, a scant cup of almond milk works. However, when you add the protein powder, the mixture will be too thick. Slowly add more of the almond milk to get the thickness just right. You may or may not have to use all of the milk depending on how big of scoops you use of your protein powder.
  3. In a separate skillet add about 1/4 cup of the stevia maple syrup with the berries and cook on medium heat for approximately 10 to 15 minutes stirring frequently until the mixture thickens. Once done, turn heat off and let sit until the pancakes are done.
  4. Use a large spoon or measuring cup to scoop batter out to make it easy when putting it into the skillet. Cook on medium heat for approximately 3 to 4 minutes each side.
  5. Serve with the fruit compote and/or the stevia maple syrup. You can also use a low sugar and low cal maple syrup or no syrup at all.
Recipe Notes

Here are some substitutes that will work if needed:

  • If you don't have gluten free flour, you can use oat flour
  • You can mix OJ in with the cooked berries instead of the stevia maple syrup
  • You can use a low sugar and/or low cal syrup if you cannot find the stevia maple syrup
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Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch

Chilaquiles with Chicken

March 27, 2017

I made my own version Chilaquiles with chicken for brunch yesterday, and everyone loved it.  I hope you will enjoy as well!

Chilaquiles 2Chilaquiles 1

Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
  • 1/4 to 1/2 a bag of frozen corn (optional)
  • 1 can or black beans, drained
  • 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 to 3 jalapenos, thinly sliced
  • cilantro (optional)
  • 1 to 2 packages of shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1 large can of enchilada sauce or make it homemade
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • homemade salsa (see below recipe)
  • scallions to garnish
  • avocado and sour cream to serve on the side
  • 1 bag of tortilla chips

Directions:

  1. Preheat over to 350.
  2. Place the enchilada sauce, chicken broth and some of the homemade salsa in an iron skillet or other large skillet and mix on stove at medium heat for about 5 minutes.
  3. Turn heat off and place 1/2 to 3/4 of the tortilla chips in the skillet and mix well.
  4. Top with black beans, onions, corn, jalapenos, chicken and any other ingredients you decide you want.
  5. Top with the cheese.
  6. Cook in the over for approximately 35 minutes.
  7. Garnish with chopped scallions.
  8. Serve in skillet with a side of sour cream, avocado and more of the homemade salsa.

Homemade Salsa:

  • Ingredients:  about 12 roma tomatoes, 5 jalepenos, 5 fresno peppers, 5 or 6 habenero peppers, and 1 clove of garlic with the top sliced off.
  • Preheat over to 400.
  • Place parchment paper over a cooking sheet.
  • Place all the ingredients onto the cooking sheet and use a brush to coat a small amount of olive oil over all the veggies.
  • Bake for approximately 45-60 minutes or until done.
  • Let the veggies cool down.
  • Cut stems of peppers off as well as the top part of the tomato and place in food processor.
  • Dig the garlic out of the casing as well and place in the food processor.
  • Add a small amount of chicken broth and mix well.

Note:  Some people like to peel the skin off of the peppers and tomatoes, but I like to leave them on to get that burnt flavor.

 

 

 

 

Breakfast, Brunch, Gluten Free, Low-Carb

Healthy Low-Carb Quiche

January 22, 2017

On my mission to eat healthier, I made this healthy low-carb quiche, and it turned out to be pretty tasty.

GourmentGirlDoesRE

Ingredients:

  • egg whites from a carton (1/2 gallon)
  • About 12 to 20 cherub tomatoes cut in half
  • 1 bag of organic fresh spinach
  • vegan cheese or your favorite cheese (optional)
  • Italian spice blend or another blend you like (I have an Irish Garlic blend that I used that I buy locally)
  • cayenne pepper (optional)
  • top with tabasco (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Spray the cupcake pan with cooking spray and make sure you get the sides otherwise the mini quiches will not come out easily.
  3. Put a small amount of spinach in each cup.
  4. Add 3 to 4 cherub tomato halves in each cup.
  5. Pour the egg whites in each cup and leave some room at the top because the egg whites will rise a bit.
  6. Add your spices on top.
  7. Add a small amount of cheese on top (optional).
  8. Cook for approximately 20 minutes.
  9. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and then use a knife around the edges to make it easier to get the quiches out.

The Chao vegan cheese I bought was very good surprisingly (made from tofu).  I only put a tiny square on each quiche as you can see on the pictures.