How to Make Granola

For shortcut, homemade granola, you need only equal amounts of homemade toasted oats and any commercial granola. For from-scratch granola, variations are endless and include either toasted or raw oatmeal -- German muesli exemplifies the raw version -- granola made with or without sugar, honey or maple syrup and granola made with or without oil. Once you experiment with different spices and spice combinations, you can soon have granola options for every day of the week.

Toasting Oatmeal

Granola often begins with toasted rolled oats, but you can also opt for combinations of rolled barley or rye from the bulk foods section of your grocery. The longer you toast the oats, the more nutty flavor and crunchy texture you have.

For plain granola, with no sweetener, no oil or nuts, with fruit added after cooking:

Spread the oats about 1/4 inch thick on a cookie sheet.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring once halfway through cooking.
More Ingredients and Combinations
Traditional granola comes with additional ingredients baked along with the oatmeal:

Use a ratio of 3 parts oats, 2 parts each dried berries and nuts, 1/2 to 1 part honey or syrup and 3 tablespoons of butter or oil.
Thoroughly mix together all the ingredients except the fruit and bake them as you would plain oats.
Stir in the fruit after the granola has cooled.
Alternatively, add fruit and toasted nuts to your cereal bowl from a separate container to minimize the chances of the ingredients sinking to the bottom of the granola container.


Clumping Granola

If you prefer granola with largish clumps instead of loose and separate oats, you can add some extra steps to a basic granola recipe. After you've mixed all the traditional ingredients together in a large bowl, stir in 1 egg white, whisked until it's foamy, for every 3 cups of oats. Bake the mixture as usual; once the granola cools completely you can break it into clumps.

Storing Granola

Once your granola has completely cooled, transfer it from the cookie sheet to an airtight container, such as a glass jar or plastic cereal container, and store it at room temperature in your cupboard. Select a container with a large enough opening to allow a measuring cup to fit as you scoop out your daily breakfast. The oats lose some crispness after 2 weeks, but the granola is safe to eat for 2 to 3 months.

How to Make Overnight Oatmeal

Overnight oatmeal is a fantastic breakfast that is served cold and can be made year-round. Simply mix rolled oats with milk and other desired ingredients, allow it to sit overnight and wake up to a no-hassle breakfast.

You can make this healthy breakfast according to your taste, using any sweetener and milk you prefer. For a dairy-free variety, try almond milk, coconut milk or cashew milk. Honey, agave or pure maple syrup offer alternatives to refined sugar. This easy recipe requires only a few minutes of prep time and zero cooking, making it a perfect make-ahead breakfast for company or for fueling your busy lifestyle.

Basic Recipe

Gather your ingredients, and add all of them to a large jar or other sealable container.
Seal the container, and place it in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 6 hours). Enjoy your overnight oatmeal with fresh or dried fruit, nuts and additional milk or sweetener.


Additional Flavoring Ideas

You can get creative with your overnight oatmeal by trying all sorts of flavoring options.
Make cinnamon-raisin overnight oatmeal by adding 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/2 cup of raisins to the basic recipe, following the same instructions. Adding the raisins prior to refrigerating it will allow the raisins to rehydrate and plump up overnight.

Strawberries 'n' cream overnight oatmeal requires adding 1 cup of fresh chopped strawberries and 1/2 cup half & half (or full-fat coconut milk) to the basic recipe. Add these ingredients to the oatmeal either before or after it sits overnight.

Make peanut butter & banana overnight oatmeal by serving the overnight oats with banana slices and a dollop or so of creamy or crunchy peanut butter.

Have your overnight oatmeal trail mix-style with dried fruit, nuts, seeds or chocolate chips. Add the following ingredients to the basic recipe before refrigerating: 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or a combination of nuts and seeds of choice) and 1/3 cup of semisweet or white chocolate chips.

Omega-3 Vegetarian Omelet Recipe

Add a healthy dose of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids a veggie omelet by adding hemp seeds, chia seeds or flax seeds to your eggs prior to cooking. Omega fatty acids are heart- and brain-healthy monounsaturated fats, which are essential to maintaining a balanced diet. Adding avocado will also infuse your breakfast with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and for an even higher dose, consider using omega-3 eggs. (This recipe serves two.)

Step 1: Saute the Vegetables

Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a skillet, and heat over medium-high. Add the onion and mushrooms to saute, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms have browned and the onion is translucent, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the salt, and then set these aside until ready to use.

Step 2: Beat the Eggs

Add 2 to 3 eggs to a small blender with one tablespoon of hemp seeds.
Blend the eggs and seeds until very well combined.


Step 3: Heat Butter in a Skillet

Add one tablespoon of butter to a skillet. Heat to medium-high, and spread the butter over the full surface of the skillet.

Step 4: Cook the Eggs

Pour the beaten egg and hemp seed mixture into the hot skillet. Allow it to cook until the sides firm up and the center has set, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 5: Add the Filling

Add half of your sauteed vegetables to one side of the omelet. Use a spatula to fold the omelet in half.

Serve with hot sauce or salsa. You also can sprinkle crumbled feta cheese inside the omelet or instead add jack or cheddar cheese for a gooey omelet. Serve with sliced avocado and fresh spinach on the side. Repeat the process for a second omelet.

Italian Brunch Ideas

Italian brunch ideas can range from traditional dishes to new takes on old favorites. Many Italian dishes are very flexible and can easily be combined with breakfast mainstays to create new entrees. Having simple, delicious Italian food for brunch is also a great way to use fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a dish that starts with thick slices of crusty bread. The bread is grilled in a pan or toasted in the oven until it's golden brown, then topped with a variety of accompaniments. Traditionally, bruschetta is finished with a mixture of diced tomatoes, basil, vinegar and olive oil, which would make a delicious Italian brunch dish on its own. However, a sweeter option is to top the toasted bread with ricotta cheese and either fruit preserves or sliced berries. You can even set up a build-your-own bruschetta bar at the brunch with various toppings. Allowing people to make their bruschetta as they go will keep the bread from getting soggy and save time as you prepare the meal.

Frittata

A frittata is a type of Italian omelet. A mixture of eggs, cheese, meat and vegetables are poured into a skillet and baked or broiled until the creation is firm and easily sliced into wedges. Frittatas can be made with a variety of ingredients, including pancetta, asparagus, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, fresh basil, Parmesan, mozzarella and fontina cheese. Frittatas are a great addition to an Italian brunch menu because they are simple to prepare and customize.

Breakfast Pasta

Carbonara-style breakfast pasta is a simple, yet satisfying Italian brunch idea. To make the pasta, place a serving of al dente noodles into a bowl and toss them with some crumbled bacon, Parmesan cheese, butter and sauteed onions and garlic. Top the pasta with an over-easy egg and some minced fresh parsley. When the diner cuts into the egg, the yolk combines with the butter and cheese to make a sauce. Breakfast pasta is an easy dish to assemble in individual portions and is great for a sit-down brunch.

Bellini

No Italian brunch would be complete without Bellinis. Bellinis are simply a combination of about two tbsp. of pureed fruit (traditionally peaches) topped off with chilled sparkling white wine in a flute glass. You can serve Bellinis pre-made in a pitcher or individual glasses, or you can set up a make-your-own Bellini bar, complete with several different types of fruit puree. Other good types of fruits to puree for Bellinis include strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.

How to Make Bacon Pancakes

Pancake stacks drizzled with syrup and accompanied by bacon strips is a breakfast staple, but combining the two creates an entirely new experience. Salty and sweet, crisp and fluffy combine to create a memorable breakfast. Cook the bacon and prepare the pancake batter, then either combine both at the batter stage or on the griddle to create savory pancakes just begging to be drizzled in sweet maple syrup.

Bacon First

Before you begin preparing your pancakes, cook the bacon. Doing so ensures the bacon is thoroughly cooked and crispy. Different flavors of bacon, such as applewood-smoked bacon, add a smoky sweetness to pancakes and pepper bacon adds a bold, savory note. Crumble the bacon directly into your pancake batter or pour the batter directly over whole strips of bacon to create dippers; just make sure to dab the bacon with paper towels to remove excess grease first.

Batter Up

Whether you plan on making your pancakes from scratch or a packaged mix, bacon pairs well with all types, from buttermilk to whole-wheat and even gluten-free pancakes. If you plan on crumbling your bacon directly into the batter, add it last, gently folding to combine. Avoid adding bacon directly if you plan to save any leftover batter because the bacon will become soggy.

Preparing the Pancakes

Preheat a skillet or griddle to a medium-high heat. Melt a pat of butter or use some leftover bacon grease to oil the cooking surface. For batters containing bacon crumbles, pour the desired amount onto the hot surface and let it cook, flipping once the underside has reached a nice golden brown. For bacon strips, place a strip of bacon on the griddle and coat it with a layer of batter. You can also bake one large, bacon pancake in the oven. Pour pancake batter containing bacon crumbles into a greased pie pan or cast iron skillet and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the pancake is golden brown.

Serving Suggestions

Drizzling or dipping bacon pancakes in maple syrup is an obvious choice, but nutty syrups, such as butter pecan or maple peanut butter, pair well with their savory sweetness. Take it a savory direction by melting a handful of shredded cheddar cheese on top, or create a pancake sandwich by layering a fried egg between two bacon pancakes.

Brunch Party Ideas

A brunch party is the perfect get together for family and friends alike when you don't want to go through the hassle of hosting a full-out bash. One of the best things about a brunch party is the food is often quick and easy to make. And there is an abundant choice of recipes to satisfy even the pickiest guest.

Nibblers

Nibblers are the equivalent of appetizers at a cocktail party, but at a brunch party, the standards are more casual. Fruit platters are a great appetizer for brunch, and complement the breakfast theme as well. French toast slices with powdered sugar are another quick and easy nibbler, and you can even spice things up by offering different types of syrup at the table. In your grocery store's refrigerator section, you can purchase dime-size hot cakes, and follow up on your dipping idea with French toast. Don't hesitate to get creative!

Juices

If you really want to make an impact on your guests, offer a few kinds of homemade juices. Anyone can serve tea bags or juice from the carton, and your guests expect that. Wow them with anything from fresh squeezed orange juice to pink lemonade; it's bound to be appreciated. There are several recipes online where you can find fruit drink concoctions that are sure to knock the socks right off your guests (see foodnetwork.com site in Resources below).

Entrée Ideas

When hosting a brunch party, you can get away with making easy breakfast food, as long as you do it right. Scrambled eggs are a quick and easy way to fill up your guests and are best presented on a decorative platter. Hot cakes are another filling entrée that are easily served on a platter and complemented with a variety of syrups. Keep in mind that they are also easier to make for a large number of people, as opposed to items like waffles. Don't forget to include slices of toast on your menu, and maybe even a fruit parfait. Your guests are sure to have a great time, and leave happy with a full stomach.

Breakfast Ideas Without Cooking

While some people are lucky enough to be "morning people", the rest of us often feel groggy in the morning. If you oversleep and don't have time to make breakfast, don't despair. There are plenty of breakfast ideas that don't involve cooking. Whether you prefer a sweet breakfast or a savory one, these ideas will help you start your day off right.

Fresh Fruit

If you need to "grab and go," whole fruits are very simple to take and eat in the car or on the train during your morning commute. Select fruits with a thin skin that you can eat, or a thick peel that can be easily removed: bananas, pears, apples, or oranges.

If you have a little more time, you can chop up a bunch of different fruits, toss them with some berries, and eat them over cereal or yogurt. If you're making a fruit salad ahead of time to be eaten later, you should drizzle a little lemon juice over the fruit to prevent browning.

Microwave Meals

Microwaving food does technically count as cooking. However, since it doesn't involve standing in front of a hot stove, the "set it and forget it" mentality of microwave cooking is perfect on mornings when you don't have the inclination to cook on a stove top or in the oven. Instant oatmeal is a popular microwave breakfast, but strips of bacon and scrambled eggs are just as easy to prepare in a microwave.

Breads, Baked Goods, and Pastries

Toasted or eaten at room temperature, breads can be a comforting way to start the day. Bagels with cream cheese, toasted croissants with a favorite spread, buttered cinnamon-raisin bread, muffins, donuts, strudels, cinnamon buns, or danishes can all be good breakfast options, particularly if you have a sweet tooth.

Leftovers/Make-Aheads

As every college student knows, sometimes cold pizza makes the most satisfying breakfast. While many people plan on eating last night's dinner for lunch the next day, there's no reason you couldn't have it for breakfast instead.

Alternatively, you can prepare a breakfast casserole the night before, to be eaten cold or reheated in the morning.

Delivery

If you want a hot, home-cooked meal, but just don't have the time or skill for cooking, you can order breakfast for pick-up or delivery. Your options will vary depending on your geographic location, but some possibilities might include breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, omelets, or dim sum.

Liquid Breakfast

A store-bought protein shake or breakfast-drink powder can provide much needed nutrition, and takes just minutes to prepare and consume. Alternatively, you can prepare your own smoothies and shakes in a blender using yogurt, fresh cut fruit, wheatgrass, or whey protein.