Category Archives: Breakfast

Springtime Strawberries

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I recently found myself home with 8 quarts of springtime strawberries. And not just any strawberries, the best strawberries, thanks to the wonderful and generous Three Springs Fruit Farm.

What does one do with enough strawberries to overtake half a fridge? 

Most we ate just fresh. There is nothing better than fresh, local springtime strawberries, just as they are. 1.5 quarts were lovingly washed, sliced and sent to be enjoyed by Greg’s PhD committee members. My good vibes for Greg were sent in with those strawberries.

And, I made these muffins. Some of the best muffins that I have ever consumed. Roasted strawberries, ricotta cheese and lime zest, in a muffin, together. They’re heavenly.

They were a bit time consuming, but when I was given a day off of work due to lots of rain, I got to muffin making. And strawberry photographing. I turned on some music, put on my favorite comfy dress, opened the windows for Ivy cat, and made muffins all day long. It was great. And therapeutic.

I highly suggest you make these muffins if you get a chance. They are so, so tasty. Use local strawberries if possible. Take your time, enjoy the process. Enjoy the muffins!

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Click here for recipe.

Shiitake Mushroom + Green Garlic (or Spring Onion) Parmesan Quiche

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It’s no surprise that I love quiche. Evidence: smoked salmon quiche, Brussels sprouts quiche, tomato + pesto quiche and asparagus + mushroom quiche. Today I’m adding a new one to the list – shiitake mushroom + green garlic (or spring onion) Parmesan quiche.

This is my newest creation and it’s all thanks to the return of Headhouse Farmers’ Market. I’ve told you before that Greg and I work  at a farmers market in the city on Sundays for his family’s farm, Three Springs Fruit Farm. After a winter hiatus, the market is back up and running and I couldn’t be happier to be back at it again. Each week we get to come home with fresh and local produce that is always, truly the best.

Anyway, let me tell you about green garlic. Our next door neighbor at market always has the best vegetables. Greg and I get mushrooms from him every single week, but a few weeks ago decided to pick up some spring onions as well, or so we thought. We went home with the mushrooms and spring onions and I made a quiche for dinner. It was so excellent with the veggies, plus some fresh thyme I had in the fridge and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It wasn’t until the next week at market I discovered that the spring onions were in fact, not spring onions, but actually something called green garlic. I loved the previous weeks quiche so much, that home I went with more green garlic.

After some research, here’s what I found: “Green garlic is simply immature garlic and looks like a slightly overgrown scallion or green onion,” about.com told me. For more info, click here. Huh, how about that. Either way, I’m glad to have tasted something I never had before and to learn something new.

Don’t be scared though, this quiche is not overly garlic-tasting at all. You could continue to tell me I’m using spring onions and I would believe you. I do think spring onions would produce a similar taste in this quiche, so that’s why I included them in the title. If you use spring onions, make sure they are plump and full looking, and preferably locally grown (always the best!). But, if you are at a market this weekend and see green garlic, pick it up and give something new a try!

A few more notes on the quiche – the thyme is essential. It gives a taste that is subtle but makes a big difference. Use fresh or dried, whatever you have on hand – see the recipe for specific amounts. And, the Parmesan in this is amazing. It adds just the right salty/buttery taste without being heavy or overpowering. Enjoy this springtime quiche!

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Shiitake Mushroom + Green Garlic (or Spring Onion) Parmesan Quiche
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Ingredients
  1. 1 prepared pie crust
  2. 2 tablespoons olive oil
  3. 2 cups (or more!) shiitake mushrooms, chopped
  4. 5 stalks green garlic (or spring onions), sliced
  5. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  6. Several sprigs of fresh thyme, lightly chopped (or 1/4 teaspoon dried, ground thyme)
  7. 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  8. 5-7 eggs (depending on the size of your crust)
  9. 1 cup whole milk (or half & half)
  10. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  11. Scant 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400*.
  2. Roll pie crust out into pie pan.
  3. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to a medium pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the mushrooms and green garlic. Saute for several minutes, until the veggies have softened and are slightly golden. Add the garlic cloves and stir. Remove from heat.
  4. Beat together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper using a mixer or a whisk. Mix well, until eggs seem very light and aerated.
  5. Add the veggies to the bottom of the pie crust, then sprinkle on the Parmesan. Pour the egg mixture into the crust.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes**, or until quiche is just set, but cooked through.
  7. Enjoy!
Notes
  1. I used green garlic, but spring onions will work as well.
  2. **Quiche can be tricky as ovens vary. Quiche cooks differently in different ovens so sometimes it takes some experimenting to find the right baking temperature and time for your oven. Mine takes exactly 20 minutes in a 400* oven, but keep in mind that you may need to adjust the temperature/time to accommodate your oven.**
The Dreaming Foodie https://www.thedreamingfoodie.com/

Blueberry Crisp

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It’s been awfully quiet here on The Dreaming Foodie, but I assure you, my kitchen hasn’t been quiet.

I’ve been in the kitchen more than ever lately, but unfortunately, not producing much to share with all of you. Not much of my own, at least. There have been more times lately than I care to admit when my own ideas have turned into recipe fails.

But it’s okay. I’m remaining okay with it and with the pace at which I share things with you. That’s the only way to be, really. Just being okay with what is.

Now, on to this crisp.

This crisp isn’t my recipe, but I can’t help but share it with you. If my goal on this blog is to share with you what is good in the world, then this is it. I seriously can’t get over this. I’ve made this crisp countless times in the last month since discovering it. It’s the best.

I love crisps, but I usually think of them as strictly dessert. I wouldn’t really think of having a crisp for a snack, or something that I make to keep around the house weekly, but this recipe is a game-changer. With this recipe, crisp is no longer strictly dessert. I do like to have something sweet around, because I know the craving will hit, but I like to keep the sweet things healthy. Like these pumpkin muffins, or these banana muffins or this granola. Now this crisp is added into that rotation. Or lately, it has sort of taken over the muffins and granola.

This crisp is made with olive oil, not butter. Almond meal, not flour. Pure maple syrup, not refined sugar. And oats and nuts. Health things. Things I am completely okay with eating on a daily basis. And real blueberries with no sugar added. None at all. I have been using frozen blueberries, but let me tell you, I cannot wait to taste this with fresh.

This is good any time of the day. I have been eating it as an afternoon snack, with full fat vanilla yogurt from a local creamery. I know I would love to have it as a dessert, too. This recipe is for people looking for something a bit healthier, but I’m convinced that it’s also for butter-laden crisp lovers. I tell you, this is the best crisp I’ve ever had, butter or no butter. This is it. The last crisp recipe I’ll ever need.

Make it. Try it. I promise, you won’t regret it.

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This wonderful recipe is from Shauna Niequist’s book Bread and Wine. Click here to view the blueberry crisp recipe.

Vegan + Gluten Free Banana Cinnamon Muffins

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Greg and I seem to be developing a Sunday morning routine. Waking up slowly (but still setting an alarm, otherwise we’d never wake!). Making coffee in our new French press. Enjoying the coffee while relaxing over whatever interesting things we see on the computer. And also, muffins. Muffins to hold us over before we enjoy a weekend breakfast that includes eggs. And then each getting to work. Him on science-related things and me on food. This past Sunday he took a slight break from his work to give me a hand with photos – notice the action shots below – love them.

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These muffins are an adaptation of the vegan + gluten free pumpkin cranberry muffins I shared with you in December. Those were inspired by this recipe. I make the pumpkin muffins every week for snacking, so it’s now nice to have a new version to throw into the mix. These banana cinnamon muffins are free of white flour, dairy, butter and oil. But trust me, you won’t miss any of those things. A flax egg is used in place of a chicken egg in this recipe. Applesauce is used in place of butter or oil and my hearty oat + pecan flour blend is used in place of white flour.

These are a healthy every-day-of-the-week muffin, made using a short list of natural, recognizable ingredients. They are incredibly moist and full of banana cinnamon flavor. One muffin fills you up and keeps you satisfied.

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Vegan + Gluten Free Banana Cinnamon Muffins
Yields 12
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Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 tablespoons ground flax
  2. 4 1/2 tablespoons water
  3. 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
  4. 3/4 cup pecans
  5. 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  6. 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  7. 3/4 teaspoon salt
  8. 3 large bananas (or 1 1/2 cups)
  9. 1/2 cup applesauce
  10. scant 1/2 cup sugar
  11. 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350*. Line a muffin pan with 12 liners and lightly spray with non-stick spray.
  2. Prepare the flax egg. Add the ground flax and water to a medium mixing bowl and stir together well. Set aside.
  3. Add the oats, pecans, baking powder, baking soda and salt to a food processor and process until the mixture resembles a fine crumb. Transfer to a separate bowl and set aside.
  4. Add the bananas, applesauce, sugar and cinnamon to the food processor and process until smooth.
  5. Add the banana mixture to the bowl with the flax egg and stir until combined. Add the oat + pecan mixture to the mixing bowl and stir until incorporated.
  6. Scoop the batter into the 12 prepared muffin liners and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Enjoy!
Notes
  1. Recipe based on my vegan + gluten free pumpkin cranberry muffins. That recipe was inspired by vegan banana muffins from Healthy Green Kitchen blog.
  2. If you don't have a food processor, you can try to make the oat + pecan flour in a blender. The banana mixture can be mashed together with a potato masher or fork.
The Dreaming Foodie https://www.thedreamingfoodie.com/

Brussels Sprouts + Smoked Gouda Quiche

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: isn’t quiche grand?

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Every time I make it, I make two, so it lasts for days and days as delicious leftovers.

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Greg and I have been so obsessed with this smoked salmon quiche since I first made it, but now, there is a new quiche in town: Brussels sprouts + smoked Gouda quiche. 

Hearty Brussels sprouts come together with smoky, creamy Gouda cheese and fluffy eggs to make this fulfilling breakfast, lunch or dinner!

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I started this quiche by slicing the sprouts thin. I wanted the sprouts to have the same caramelized flavor that these sprouts do, but didn’t want them to take as long, so slicing thin is key. I sauteed them with a shallot until just caramelized, and I have to say, that step really adds wonderful flavor to the baked quiche. The smoked Gouda is also really important to this dish. I have been going crazy over smoked Gouda. I bought a package of sliced smoked Gouda from Trader Joe’s a few weeks ago, and ever since I have been craving it all the time. Not only is it delicious just on its own, smoked Gouda pairs very well with Brussels sprouts. If you have never tried smoked Gouda cheese, you are in for a treat! 

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With just those two main ingredients in this quiche, it is very simple and easy to make. I made it for a Saturday morning breakfast and served it with sauteed potatoes and onions. What a great start to the weekend that was. We then ate it as lunch leftovers all week long.

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 I know it’s the time of year for sweets, sweets, sweets, but make sure to eat other food too! This quiche would be perfect to have on hand while planning or making food for a holiday celebration. It is quick to warm up, fulfilling and delicious. 

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Enjoy!

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Brussels Sprouts + Smoked Gouda Quiche
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Ingredients
  1. ~20 large Brussels sprouts, sliced thin
  2. 1 shallot, sliced thin
  3. Olive oil
  4. Salt and pepper
  5. 10-12 eggs, depending on the size of your crust
  6. 1 1/4 cup milk
  7. ~ 6 ounces (or 1/3 of a pound) smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
  8. 2 prepared pie crusts, your favorite!
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350*.
  2. Heat a tablespoon or two of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the sliced shallot, stir and cook for a minute.
  3. Add the sliced Brussels sprouts. Stir well, to coat all sprouts in oil, and cook over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes, or until sprouts are slightly caramelized and tender. Season with a small amount of salt and pepper, if desired. Let cool slightly.
  4. Add half the sprouts to one pie crust and the rest to the other. Top each with equal amounts of shredded smoked Gouda.
  5. Using your stand mixer (or a hand-held), beat together the eggs, milk and a large pinch each of salt and pepper. Beat until slightly fluffy. Pour the egg mixture into each quiche, dividing equally. Each quiche should be full. If not, beat more eggs and milk and add to the quiche.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
  7. Enjoy!
Notes
  1. The amounts provided above will make two quiches. If you only want one, use half the ingredients.
The Dreaming Foodie https://www.thedreamingfoodie.com/