Quick breakfast ideas from Chef Char

Mini Frittata Cups

makes six muffins

A frittata can contain anything that you might eat in an omelette. It can be made with your choice of the following ingredients, diced and sautéed: mushrooms, onions, peppers, spinach or kale, broccoli, diced potatoes, shredded carrots, and just about any other vegetable you can imagine. Seasonings such as garlic and herbs can also be added if you prefer. You can also add shredded cheeses and small pieces of meat for a hearty snack or breakfast.

Vegetable Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups raw vegetables of choice, chopped
• 1 Tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetable Directions:

1. Cut up vegetables of choice small dice.
2. Place oil or butter in a sauté pan over medium heat.
3. Add vegetables, salt and pepper, and cook until vegetables are soft or slightly caramelized.

Egg Ingredients (in a separate bowl):

• 4 eggs
• 1 Tbsp. milk or water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish:

• 2 Tbsp. choice of shredded cheese or cheese cubes

Frittata Directions:

1. Spray a muffin pan with oil or prepare a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. Divide sauteed vegetables evenly among the cups.
3. Pour the beaten egg mixture into the cups and over the vegetables.
4. Garnish the cups with cheese.
5. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.

Eat now while hot or store in refrigerator and reheat for 30 seconds to 1 minute in microwave for a breakfast on the go later.

Three Variations for Overnight Oatmeal

For the Basic Oatmeal:

• 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds or ground flax meal
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt
• ¼-½ cup milk (almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, or hemp milk will work, too)

Combine Ingredients in a pint size mason jar and stir.

Version 1: Carrot Cake

To the contents of the basic oatmeal recipe above, add:

• ¼ cup shredded carrot
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)
• 1 Tbsp raisins
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Version 2: Summer Peach

To the contents of the basic oatmeal recipe above, add:

• 1 Tbsp peach jam
• ¼ cup small diced fresh or canned peaches
• 1 tsp lemon juice or orange juice

Version 3: Banana Split

To the contents of the basic oatmeal recipe above, add:

• 1 Tbsp chocolate sundae syrup
• 1 Tbsp strawberry jam
• 1 Tbsp toasted pecans (optional)
• ½ banana, sliced

Directions:

1. Combine oatmeal and garnish combinations in a jar and cover tightly with a lid.
2. Shake until thoroughly mixed.
3. Refrigerate overnight.
4. Enjoy for a breakfast on the go or as a quick snack.

For other fun ideas in food, visit Chef Char’s blog www.chefcharmorse.com or join Chef Char for a cooking class in Kitchen242 at the Muskegon Farmer’s Market in downtown Muskegon.

Cooking class topics and dates can be found here https://www.eventbrite.com/d/mi--muskegon/chef-char-morse/.

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