Recipe: Apricot Ginger Oatmeal

This cold is kicking my butt. Or just my head. I'm fuzzy, so it's hard to tell. But, I must be feeling a little better because I drug myself into the kitchen to make breakfast. I wanted something hearty + warm, but that would give me the flavors of sunshine. Does that make sense?

Here's what I came up with, and it's darn tasty. Even with a cold.

Apricot Ginger Oatmeal

serves 1

1 C water

1/3 C steel cut oats

5 dried apricots, quartered

1T candied ginger, diced

2T half + half

2T real maple syrup (more or less to taste)

-bring water to boil in small pot with lid

-add steel cut oats, stir, reduce heat and cover

-stir frequently for about 5 minutes or until most of the water is absorbed

-add half + half, 1T of maple syrup and stir until incorporated and let cook about 30 seconds

-remove from heat, cover and let sit for 1 minute

-place in bowl, top with apricots, ginger and a drizzle of maple syrup.

-eat warm!

Hint: I doubled this recipe and saved the rest in the fridge for tomorrow...or later. ;-)

Recipe: Easy Spanish Tortilla

Here is the recipe for a terrific, versatile dish for Holidays or anytime. Breakfast, brunch, light supper, tapas, vegetarian entree. It works for all, and won an award for low-carbon recipe using local ingredients!

Easy Spanish Tortilla
serves 6-8

4 small to medium potatoes, halved and thinly sliced
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
salt + pepper to taste
1T smoked paprika
1/4C sunflower oil
8 eggs

preheat oven to 375˚
heat oil in large, deep skillet or wok
add potatoes, season with salt
cook potatoes, stirring frequently until they are not quite tender
add onions + smoked paprika, cooking until onions are just translucent and potatoes are
tender yet still firm
remove from heat and allow to slightly cool
whisk eggs until frothy, season with salt + pepper
place potato mixture in oven-proof dish, such as a tart or pie pan
pour eggs over the top, gently distributing the potato mixture evenly in the pan
place in oven and bake until puffed and golden, and eggs are set in middle (about 25
minutes)
may serve warm or room temp as an entree or tapas

Easy Sweet Potato Waffles

Easy sweet potato waffles...yummy! Perfect for a weekend family breakfast.The 'easy' part of this recipe is using a mix and canned sweet potato puree. Farmer's Market brand of Organic Sweet Potato Puree is divinely simple. Feel free to improvise... like adding chocolate chips! Double yum!

Easy Sweet Potato Waffles
makes approx. 8-10 4" waffles

2C waffle or pancake mix
1C sweet potato puree
2T canola oil
2T brown sugar
2t vanilla
1/2 - 3/4C water to thin, more if needed

In a large bowl, add first 5 ingredients, stir gently to combine
Slowly add water and stir, adding just enough to reach desired consistency
Place 1/4C of batter onto heated waffle iron and cook until steam stops (or the light goes off!)