Fun, Fast & Healthy Brunch

As Seen On TV – Fun, Fast & Healthy Brunch

Now We’re Cooking, the fun, fast and healthy cooking show was taped live at the Central Market in downtown York, PA last week. We had a great time making this brunch that is perfect for holidays.

Healthy Brunch Recipes

These healthy brunch recipes are perfect for any occasion. You can do most of the prep a day ahead of time and just finish things off the day of your party.

The Mediterranean Brunch Casserole recipe was featured in an earlier post. Make your eggs and veggie mixture up a day ahead of time then pop it in the oven 45 minutes before brunch.

Fast Healthy Potato Pancakes

These yummy potato pancakes are healthier than the average potato pancake because of the added sweet potatoes and they can be thrown together really fast! You can make the mix and fry them up a day in advance then finish them in the oven the day of your brunch.

1 large baking potato
1 large sweet potato
¼ cup minced onion
1 tsp. fresh herbs of your choice
3 whole eggs
½ cup biscuit mix (preferably a whole wheat variety)
salt and pepper
¼ cup olive oil

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  1. Grate potatoes into bowl and add all other ingredients.
  2. On a griddle heat the oil and sear pancakes on both sides.
  3. Finish in oven on a baking stone for 15 minutes.

Fruit & Yogurt Sauce Recipe

This is a fast and healthy way to eat yogurt. Use it for your yogurt snacks too instead of buying the fruit-on-the-bottom varieties that are loaded with sugar. On the Now We’re Cooking TV show we layered 3 melons in a trifle bowl then poured the sauce over top for a dramatic presentation.

8 oz plain yogurt
4 oz. all fruit jam
1 orange
pinch nutmeg

  1. Combine yogurt, jam, nutmeg, and zest the orange into the yogurt mixture.
  2. Section the orange and just before service add to the yogurt sauce.

Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking Recipes

PA Dutch Food From Amish Country

PA Dutch RecipesWhen the Germans first came to the new country and were asked where they were from, they said “deutch” which is the German word for German or Germany.  The PA Dutch are really Germans who came to this country and were misunderstood when asked where they were from.  Living in York County, I am often asked in classes to take typical Dutch fare and make it healthier.  These recipes were presented on the Now We’re Cooking TV show called Dutch Done Right! and have been featured this month at many healthy cooking classes.

PA Dutch Slippery Pot Pie Recipe

Everywhere else in the world pot pie means a pie with a crust with meat, gravy and vegetables inside.  Here in Southern PA pot pie means slippery pot pie.  A slippery pot pie is a stew with dumpling-like thick egg noodles made from scratch and cooked in the stew. This is the healthier version of PA Dutch slippery pot pie.

One day in advance of making your pot pie:  Bring 8 qt. pot of water to a boil.  Place one 3-5 lb chicken in the water.  Simmer until done.  Refrigerate cooked chicken and broth overnight.  Remove fat from broth.  Reduce or add water to stock to equal 6 qt of broth.

Slippery Pot Pie Noodles

2 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 whole eggs
3 oz. egg whites
¾ cup strong chicken stock
¼ tsp. salt
1. In bowl combine both flours with a fork. Whisk the eggs until frothy. Combine all ingredients and mix with a fork until combined.
2. Dump out onto a heavily floured board and knead until a smooth elasticity is achieved.
3. Roll out to a ¼” thickness, adding flour as needed.
4. Cut into 2″ squares, and arrange on a tray with wax or parchment paper between the layers. Refrigerate until needed.

Pot Pie

5 qt. rich chicken or turkey stock
6 cup diced baking potatoes
3 ½ cup diced carrot
2 cup diced celery
2 cup diced onion
2 Tbs. minced fresh sage
2 Tbs. minced fresh thyme
1 Tbs. minced fresh rosemary
¼ cup minced fresh parsley
1 qt diced chicken

1. In a 6 qt stockpot heat stock to a boil. Add onions, celery, and minced spices (not the parsley) Return to a boil.
2. Drop in noodle dough one at a time until all are in the pot. Stir occasionally during the addition. Return to a boil and reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in chicken, carrots, and potatoes, return to a boil and simmer 15 minutes.
4. Stir in parsley and allow to rest covered for 15 minutes. Reheat if needed prior to service.

Amish Country Sugar Cakes Recipe

An Amish Country favorite, this sugar cake recipe uses part whole wheat flour and less eggs and oil to make it a bit healthier.

1 cup sugar
¼ cup solid shortening
¼ cup canola oil
1 whole egg
1 oz. egg white
zest of lemon
½ cup reduced fat buttermilk
½ tsp. baking soda
1 ¾ cup flour
¾ cup whole wheat flour
pinch salt
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. vanilla
cinnamon sugar

1. In mixer using medium speed, combine sugar, shortenings and eggs. Mix until light and fluffy approximately 5 minutes.
2. Add baking soda to milk and allow to clabber. Stir into sugar mixture.
3. Sift dry ingredients. and add to sugar mixture by spoonfuls while mixer is running slowly. Add vanilla and mix just until combined.
4. Drop by spoonfuls onto baking stone with parchment paper. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. (top with nuts or raisins if desired)
5. Bake at 350º for 12-15 minutes.


Healthy Budget Meals-Planning Budget Meals

Cheap Meals On A Budget

Ramen Noodles and Macaroni and Cheese are dirt cheap meals to get when you are on a tight budget.  They are also low in nutrients and therefore not contributing to your family’s health.  Sometimes you get what you pay for.  Nothing for nothing! It is possible to get cheap meals on a budget and still get all the nutrients your body needs.  Even if you lean toward organic you can still give your body the good-for-you, pesticide free foods on a budget.

Healthy Meals On A Budget

Healthy meals do not have to mean expensive.  Some of the healthiest meals on a budget include eggs. Eggs are a nutritious, versatile easy-to-use protein source.  Conventional eggs at $1.19 a dozen can create a nice dinner for less than $1.00.  Even the most health conscious person can get organic eggs at a meal price that will fit in with a tight budget. The higher price of organic or free-range eggs still keeps the protein cost of a two-egg meal at only 58-78 cents per portion.

Healthy Family Budget Meals

Another low budget meal that is family friendly includes any soup or stew made with legumes.  Legumes, beans or peas are an inexpensive and nutritious protein source that is high in fiber and includes all the building blocks that your family deserves.  They have been proven to reduce the risk of cancer and even the organic versions will fit into any family budget. In bulk food sections the organic legumes are weighing in at $1.39 to $1.99 per pound, or less than a dollar per portion.  http://www.wowyouarereallylucky.com/tv-show-recipes/healthy-ideas-on-what-to-do-with-turkey-left-overs.htm

Easy Meals On A Budget

If you are looking for easy meals on a budget, then you may want to consider the old standby of peanut butter as one of your staple protein sources.  Peanut butter is not just for kids.  It is high in the monosaturated fats our bodies need, as well as antioxidants.  The organic version of peanut butter is only $3.49 per pound and conventional natural versions are even more budget-friendly.  Beware of the brand names that are high in added sugars and fats.  Check the ingredients list and look for peanut butter that is only ground peanuts and maybe a little salt.

Planning Meals On A Budget

One of the best ways to keep your food budget in line is to plan your meals.  Just the act of planning your weekly meals will save money.  Use the cook-once-serve-twice philosophy and you will save time and money.  This process of thinking ahead will help to keep your budget in line.  You will make better use of leftovers and also save time.

Cooking Meals On A Budget

healthy budget mealsWhen you cook wholesome meals and use them for two dinners the overall cost of each dinner will be less.  Purchasing ingredients that will take the main course of a meal and using it twice to create another meal will greatly impact your meal budget. They are not “left-overs” if you plan ahead!  Some ideas of the cook-once-serve-twice eating plan are:

Cook Once
Roast Chicken
Baked Potatoes
Broccoli

Serve Twice
Chicken soup: Cover your chicken bones with cold water and boil for about one hour with a spice blend mix.  After straining bones out; return to the stove and add chopped up left-over baked potatoes and broccoli. Season to taste.

Cook Once
Pot Roast
Salad with blue cheese dressing

Serve Twice

Beef Barbecue: shred left-over pot roast and add a good quality prepared barbecue sauce; serve on whole wheat rolls with carrot & celery sticks and BC dressing for dipping.

Cook Once
Roast Turkey Breast
Roast Carrots
Roast Onions
Roast Potatoes

Serve Twice
Turkey Pasta Pie

Include all leftovers from above and some pasta leftover from another day to make a healthy budget meal.

Be creative when planning your meals and think about the cook-once-serve-twice option when putting together your weekly shopping list to keep your food budget in line.


Deb Bixler
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