12 Fast and Easy Breakfasts

12 Fast and Easy Breakfasts
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lelia_Culpepper]Lelia Culpepper 

As a mother of four, I have learned to whip up some nutritious and filling breakfasts over the years.  Here are some of the favorites at my house:

1.     Breakfast Tacos-Buy some inexpensive flour or corn tortillas, break two eggs per person into a bowl, add about cup of water to the eggs, add shredded cheese, mix, and cook in greased or non-stick pan over medium high heat, stirring often.  When the eggs have just about lost all their liquid quality, turn off the heat and let them finish cooking.  Transfer eggs into a serving dish as soon as the liquid is gone.  (Do not over cook eggs-they become rubbery.)    Warm the tortillas briefly in the microwave, pan (I usually use a skillet with a little butter in it) spread a little butter on them, and then fill with about cup of eggs.  If you have (or like) any of the following you can add them to the tortilla:  hot sauce, avocado/guacamole, bacon, sausage, leftover meat.  Roll up the tortilla and eat.

2.     Pancakes-Do not buy pancake mix!  They are charging a ridiculous price for flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.  Here's an easy recipe:  mix 1 c. flour, 1 T. baking powder, 1 egg, 1 t. salt, 1 c. milk and 1/4 c. oil until lumps are gone.  Heat up a skillet over medium high heat, grease with a little butter, pour in batter to make three pancakes (about 1/4 c. batter for each).  When the bubbles burst and stay open, check the underside to see if it is brown.  If so, flip and put a little butter on each pancake.  When the butter is melted remove and place on a plate.  Serve with bacon or sausage.

3.     Muffins-We do a lot of muffins:  oatmeal/walnut, poppy seed, apple, peanut butter, etc.  Making your own muffins is easy and they take about 22 minutes to cook at 400F.  Preparation time is about 10 minutes.  Because they take a little longer, I plan on the kids eating them in transit.  I make 1-1/2 recipes so we will have extras to share with teachers or eat later.  Makes the afternoon ride home a shorter when the kids have a snack after school.  Here is the recipe for 10 muffins:  1-3/4 c. flour, c. sugar, 2-1/2 t. baking powder, t. salt, 1 egg, c. milk, c. oil.  Sometimes I add c. drained crushed canned pineapple with about 1/3 c. coconut, or raisins and nuts, or poppy seeds and lemon, or cranberries or dates with nuts.  Get creative!  For peanut butter muffins add c. peanut butter, 2 T. butter, 1 more egg and c. more milk.   Fill the muffins to 2/3 full.  Use muffin liners or grease the tins very well.  Cook for 22 minutes or until brown on top.  Serve hot with butter.

4.     Biscuits-These are great because they only take 12 minutes to cook.  I usually cook an egg till firm and sometimes sausage or bacon or cheese to go on the egg and make a biscuit sandwich.  Better than any drive through!  Here's the recipe:  2 c. flour, 1 T. baking powder, t. salt, 1/3 c. shortening, c. milk.  Mix dry ingredients and then cut in shortening with fork or pastry blender until it looks like cornmeal.  Add milk and stir to work into a ball.  Put ball on floured surface and pat down to about thickness.  Use a floured inverted glass or jar to cut circles.  Put on cookie sheet and cook at 450F for 12 minutes, or until lightly brown.  Split open, butter and place egg/sausage/bacon/cheese in the middle.  Cover with top and hand out!  Note:  if you have any leftover buttermilk use it in place of the milk for even tastier biscuits, but add t. baking soda.

5.     Bagels-Cover with cream cheese or add egg/sausage/bacon/cheese.

6.     Oatmeal-Boil 1-3/4 c. water and add 1 c. old fashioned oats.  Stir and let boil again for about 2 minutes.  Cover, turn off the heat and let it sit for about 5 minutes.  Place into two bowls.  Add a little brown sugar or maple syrup, raisins, cinnamon, nuts and milk.  It's great for you, filling, fast and very inexpensive.

7.     Cheese Sandwiches-Toast some bread and cut slices of cheddar, mozzarella or whatever and melt in microwave or oven for open face sandwich.  Super fast!

8.     PBJ-On warm toast this one is hard to beat.

9.     Leftovers-My kids eat pizza, chicken nuggets, hamburgers or whatever they can get their hands on for breakfast, especially on the weekends.

10.   Eggs-Scrambled, boiled or fried, they're fast and nutritious.  Cook on medium to medium high heat and do not over cook.  Note: Sometimes I put eggs on toast for a fast breakfast sandwich.

11.   Waffles-I usually make them on the weekends because they are slow to cook, but so good to savor!  Make extras and freeze them so you can pop some into the toaster and have a quick and easy breakfast on weekdays. The recipe is:  1-3/4 c. flour, 1 T. baking powder, t. salt, 2 eggs, 1-3/4 c. milk, c. cooking oil.  Mix well and pour into a hot waffle iron.  Cook until the light goes out or the waffles are brown.  Optional ingredients:  nuts, berries, bananas, chocolate chips, cinnamon.

12.  French Toast-This is great if you have some leftover or stale bread of any kind: French bread, whole wheat, etc.  Mix two eggs in a bowl, add about c. milk, a pinch of nutmeg and stir.  Heat skillet and grease with tablespoon of butter.  Dip bread slice into egg mixture until soaked through and covered on both sides.  Slip into pan and cook on medium high heat until brown on one side, then flip.  Top with a dab of butter and remove from skillet when butter is melted.  Repeat for rest of bread slices.  If desired, serve with bacon or sausage.  Sprinkle syrup, fresh fruit or powdered sugar on top of bread or enjoy them plain.

See which recipes will work for your lifestyle and your family.  You will save money and be serving them high quality food to keep them healthy and strong!

Lelia Culpepper loves to cook! Learn more about cooking, kids, and saving money at [http://lowbudgetmom.com]

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