Tasty Tuesday: Breakfast or Dessert?

Thank you Tracey Bartolomey and Tastefully Simple for today’s recipe…

Nothing beats a hot breakfast. But if, like me, you’re not a morning person, the opportunity for a few more zzzzs usually trumps getting up a little earlier to cook. In my world, “hot breakfast” = toast. Once in a while, though, there’s an occasion special enough for me to make the first meal of the day something more than a quick grab ‘n go. 

ingredients

• 1 package Absolutely Almond Pound Cake Mix
• 1 cup water
• ¾ cup butter, melted
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups half & half
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Maple syrup, fruit syrup, whipped cream, optional

directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare Absolutely Almond Pound Cake according to package directions using water and butter. Allow to cool fully and cut into roughly 1-inch cubes.
2. In a greased 8×8 baking dish, layer ¾ of cake cubes, cream cheese cubes, blueberries and remaining cake cubes.
3. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, half & half, cinnamon and vanilla; pour mixture evenly over baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate 4 hours or up to overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 425°F. Remove cover and continue baking 30-35 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
5. Cool 5 minutes; cut into slices and serve with maple or fruit syrup and whipped cream, if desired.

Tips & Hints

• Prefer a slightly more traditional French toast recipe? Try using Bountiful Beer Bread® cubes instead of pound cake. This Overnight French Toast Bake is a sweet and savory option.
• Try using Sunny Lemon Pound Cake & Icing Mix to add a light, citrus flavor.
• Sprinkle toasted almond slices over the top before baking to add a nutty crunch.
• Double-duty it as dessert! Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Visit Tracey’s Tastefully Simple Facebook Group for more tips, hints and recipes.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Tasty Tuesday – French Toast in a Mug

I know, you are wondering “why would I make french toast it a mug when I will have a house full of people”, right?  The truth is this is a great way to watch what you eat and still enjoy the yumminess everyone else is enjoying.

My daughter is celiac so we need to be VERY careful about crossing over anything gluten.  This is a great alternative for her to be able to enjoy french toast without the fear of gluten.

Cinnamon Maple French Toast in a Mug by Hungry Girl…
Entire recipe: 145 calories, 1.5g total fat (0g sat fat), 482mg sodium, 21g carbs, 5.5g fiber, 2.5g sugars, 12g protein.  SmartPoints® value 2*

Prep: 5 minutes                   Cook: 5 minutes or less

Ingredients:

1/4 cup (about 2 large) egg whites or fat-free liquid egg substitute
2 tbsp. unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 no-calorie sweetener packet (like Truvia)
3/4 tsp. maple extract
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Dash salt
2 slices light bread (we are going to use gluten free)

Optional toppings: lite pancake syrup, powdered sugar, berries

Directions:

• Spray a microwave-safe mug with nonstick spray. Add all ingredients except bread. Mix thoroughly.
• Cut bread into 1-inch pieces.
• Add bread pieces to the mug, and gently stir to coat. Microwave for 1 minute.
• Gently stir. Microwave for 45 seconds, or until set.

MAKES 1 SERVING

Give it a try and let us know what you think.  What is your favorite french toast topping?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Saturday Spotlight – Taylor Sam’s

It has been awhile since I focused on the AMAZING Taylor Sam’s located at 1563 Route 88 in Brick, NJ.

They just recently won – BEST BREAKFAST on 94.3 The Point radio station.  

Here is a little bit about them:

Taylor Sam’s is operated by Executive Chef Scott Spivak. Chef Scott along with his wife Dawn, formerly owned Sixth Avenue Bistro was started in 2006 and soon become the local hotspot for guests who enjoyed their unique flair on comfort food in Toms River. Voted one of the best fine dining rests in Ocean County in 2007 by the Asbury Park Press…..Sixth Avenue had quickly made their mark in Toms River, now with the focus soley on catering, sixth avenue can offer that same experience at your next event.

Now Scott and Dawn have started a new venture in Brick….there goal was to offer a great breakfast and lunch dining experience for the local residents in Brick as well as visitors enjoying the Jersey Shore. They wanted the menu at Taylor Sam’s to be eclectic and homestyle by using quality ingredients as well as offering personal service. They want you to feel at home while not breaking the bank!

Open EVERYDAY from 8AM – 3:30PM. Delivery service available, phone: 732-458-7267.

What started for hubby and I as a “let’s just try it”, has become like a second home.  The staff: Nick, Dan, Rose, Fernando, Kara, Taylor and the rest of the crew are AMAZING!

I think I speak for all of the regular customers when I say that you couldn’t find a better place to eat. The food is FRESH. The staff is friendly. Special requests are no problem – believe me I know since I am always changing things up.

Pancakes and French Toast are AWESOME!

Their variety of salad combinations always leaves me guessing with combinations that I would have NEVER thought to put together.

I have probably tried everything on the menu that is NOT meat since I am a vegetarian but I haven’t heard anyone complain about anything there.

If you haven’t tried it, you need to. Having an event, meeting or party – have them do the catering.

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say AFTER you have tried them out.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!