Tag Archives: breakfast

Chai Tea Mix

This chai tea mix makes a thoughtful homemade holiday gift. Just add the tea and spices to a jar and attach the simple brewing instructions! If available in a store near you, buy the spices in bulk to save some serious cash. For enhanced flavor, toast the spices in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes or until fragrant.

Chai Tea Mix

Each batch fills one small jar, about 4-8 ounces. Multiple this recipe to make as many jars as you'd like. 

Course Drinks
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 12 cups prepared

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup loose black tea
  • 1/4 cup candied ginger cut into small pieces if large
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 teaspoons cardamom pods about 20-25
  • 1 teaspoon red peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 8 star anise seeds optional
  • 2 teaspoons fennel seeds optional
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns optional
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds optional

Instructions

  1. If possible, lightly crush the spices – break the cinnamon stick into pieces, split the cardamom pods slightly, and lightly crush the other spices using a mortar and pestle.

    Alternatively, you can break the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods carefully using kitchen shears, a garlic press, or a nutcracker.

  2. In a small jar, combine tea, spices, and candied ginger. Close the jar and wrap.

  3. Include these instructions:

    Steep 1 tablespoon of tea mixture in 1 cup hot water for 5-10 minutes. Strain. Add ½ cup milk or milk alternative and optional sweetener to taste.

Cold Brew Thai Iced Coffee

Cold Brew Thai Coffee | Smooth, creamy and sweet without milk and little added sugar. Easy, vegan, and lightly sweetened. Guess Who's Cooking

Cold brew coffee is all the rage these days. This method brings out the delicious coffee flavor while leaving behind most of the acidity and bitterness. This recipe takes advantage of certain properties of cold brew to make a deliciously non-traditional version of Thai iced coffee that is smooth, rich, dairy-free, and sweet while using much less sugar.

If you’re making this for yourself, make one batch, drink one serving, then save the other serving in a jar for the next day. Or you can scale up the recipe and make several day’s worth! Cold brew will keep in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. Simply brew the coffee as directed, strain into a large container, keep refrigerated, and use the coffee as needed!

Cold Brew Thai Iced Coffee

Serves 2
Prep time 10 minutes
Dietary Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Meal type Beverage
Misc Serve Cold
Traditional Thai iced coffee is often very sweet - this recipe uses only 1/2 teaspoon sugar per serving because the cold brew process brings out the natural sweetness of the coffee, and makes it less bitter so less sugar is needed to counteract the bitterness. You can also leave out the sugar completely! Coconut milk is used in place of sweetened condensed milk to make this recipe lower in sugar, dairy-free, and vegan.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coarsely ground coffee
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)

Note

Cold brew coffee can have a lot of caffeine. Try using 1/4 cup regular coffee and 1/4 cup decaf to reduce the caffeine.

Use light or regular coconut milk, not the thinner coconut beverage found in the milk alternative section of the refrigerated case. Light coconut milk works just fine, but use regular coconut milk to make it extra creamy. You can also make this drink more traditional and use sweetened condensed milk.

Directions

Step 1
Combine all ingredients except coconut milk in a French press or other container with a lid. Add 2 cups water and stir.
Step 2
Refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
Step 3
If using a French press, push down the filter. If using any other container, lay a cheesecloth, thin cloth towel, or a coffee filter over a bowl or large (2 cups or more) liquid measuring cup. Pour the coffee mixture over the cloth to strain.
Step 4
Pour the strained coffee into 2 glasses with ice. Top with about 1/4 cup coconut milk, give or take a little bit to reach desired creaminess.

Cold Brew Thai Coffee | Smooth, creamy and sweet without milk and little added sugar. Easy, vegan, and lightly sweetened. Guess Who's Cooking

Cold Brew Thai Coffee | Smooth, creamy and sweet without milk and little added sugar. Easy, vegan, and lightly sweetened. Guess Who's Cooking

 

Cold Brew Thai Coffee | Smooth, creamy and sweet without milk and little added sugar. Easy, vegan, and lightly sweetened. Guess Who's Cooking

Cold Brew Thai Coffee | Smooth, creamy and sweet without milk and little added sugar. Easy, vegan, and lightly sweetened. Guess Who's Cooking

Cold Brew Thai Coffee | Smooth, creamy and sweet without milk and little added sugar. Easy, vegan, and lightly sweetened. Guess Who's Cooking

Cold Brew Thai Coffee | Smooth, creamy and sweet without milk and little added sugar. Easy, vegan, and lightly sweetened. Guess Who's Cooking
Smooth, sweet and low in acidity, even without the coconut milk!

Cold Brew Thai Coffee | Smooth, creamy and sweet without milk and little added sugar. Easy, vegan, and lightly sweetened. Guess Who's Cooking Cold Brew Thai Coffee | Smooth, creamy and sweet without milk and little added sugar. Easy, vegan, and lightly sweetened. Guess Who's Cooking

2-Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes

2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes

2-Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes

Serves 2
Prep time 20 minutes
Allergy Egg
Dietary Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Meal type Breakfast
Misc Child Friendly, Serve Hot
These pancakes take just two ingredients. They are not exactly the same texture as traditional pancakes, but still tasty considering they only require two ingredients!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sweet potato, cooked
  • 4 large eggs
  • cooking oil such as canola, coconut or grapeseed

Directions

Step 1
Mash sweet potato with a fork. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl, then add to mashed sweet potato.
Step 2
Heat a nonstick skillet such as a cast iron skillet over medium low heat. Add a little oil.
Step 3
Add sweet potato mixture to pan 1 tablespoon at a time. Flip pancakes once edges lighten in color and turn more opaque and small bubbles start to form on top, about 3 minutes. They are done when both sides are golden brown. Repeat until all mixture is used, adding more oil as needed.
Step 4
Serve with toppings of choice - maple syrup, nut butter, butter (or non-dairy butter) or fruit.

2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes

2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes

Make-Ahead Scrambled Chickpea Pitas

Breakfast Chickpea Pitas | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthy, plant-based, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, whole grain

These hearty, tasty, savory pitas make a great breakfast that you can warm up while getting ready for the day. This recipe is entirely plant-based and is a flavorful alternative to an egg breakfast sandwich. Start your day with protein, whole grains, and vegetables, and be rewarded with steady energy throughout the morning. Adapted from Scrambled Chickpea and Spinach Pitas from The Kitchn.

Breakfast Chickpea Pitas

Serves 6
Prep time 20 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes
Total time 30 minutes
Dietary Vegan, Vegetarian
Meal type Breakfast, Lunch, Main Dish
Misc Freezable, Pre-preparable, Serve Hot
Website The Kitchn
These satisfying breakfast pitas can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for a quick, healthy and portable breakfast.

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion (diced)
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil (such as olive, grapeseed, coconut, or canola)
  • 1 red bell pepper (diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 3 cans chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 4 cups baby spinach (roughly chopped)
  • 3 whole wheat pitas (halved)
  • 1/2 cup salsa or hummus (optional)

Directions

Step 1
Place half of the chickpeas into a food processor and pulse until mashed but not smoothly pureed. Alternatively, mash in a medium bowl with a fork. Set aside.
Step 2
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add bell peppers and cook until tender, about 4 minutes.
Step 3
Add whole and mashed chickpeas, cumin, turmeric, and salt. Cook until chickpeas soften, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 4
If serving immediately, spread 1-2 tablespoons of hummus or salsa if using inside pitas, then fill each pita with chickpea filling.
Step 5
If freezing, allow chickpea mixture to cool, then follow step 4. Wrap each pita in foil and place them in an airtight bag or container and freeze. To serve, heat in oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes if thawed or 30 minutes if frozen, or until warmed through. Alternatively, remove the foil and microwave until warmed throughout.

Breakfast Chickpea Pitas | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthy, plant-based, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, whole grain

Easy Cauliflower Fried “Rice”

Easy Cauliflower Fried "Rice" | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthy, easy, plant based, vegetarian, dairy free, and can be made gluten free and vegan (leave out eggs)  Typical fried rice is mostly refined carbohydrates with extra oil and salt but few vegetables. This recipe still has the flavor and a similar texture, but without the refined carbs, and with a little healthy fat from a healthy oil and tons of veggies! On top of that, it’s quick and easy to make, especially if you buy cauliflower that has already been “riced.” Hint: They sell it at Trader Joe’s now, plus other brands are also carrying it. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free tamari or soy sauce. To make it vegan, leave out the eggs.

Easy Cauliflower Fried “Rice”

Serves 4
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes
Total time 15 minutes
Dietary Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Meal type Breakfast, Main Dish, Side Dish
Enjoy fried "rice" with less starch and calories and more nutrients. It's easy to make, especially if you buy cauliflower that has already been "riced."

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil, such as olive, peanut, canola, or grapeseed
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 3 cups cauliflower (grated or riced)
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
  • 2 large eggs (beaten)
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • salt to taste
  • sliced green onion and/or sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

Step 1
Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add cauliflower and mixed vegetables and cook until just tender, stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 2
Push cauliflower to one side of the pan to create a space and pour in the eggs into the open part of the pan. Stir just the eggs to scramble until fully cooked, then mix into the cauliflower mixture. Gently stir in tamari and salt to taste. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds and serve warm.

Easy Cauliflower Fried "Rice" | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthy, easy, plant based, vegetarian, dairy free, and can be made gluten free and vegan (leave out eggs)

Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal

Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthy, plant based, vegan, vegetarian, dairy free, and gluten free (use certified GF oats)

If you’re looking for a twist on boring old oatmeal, give this recipe a try. You can make it on the weekend and reheat individual portions for breakfast throughout the week. It is made with whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and healthy fats, and is completely plant-based and low in added sugar, yet tastes like carrot cake! It’s crispy on the top, tender on the inside, and contains a variety of other textures from the crunchy nuts and chewy raisins.

Each serving has only 1 1/2 teaspoons added sugar, less than most flavored oatmeal packets. The latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends no more than 10% of calories from added sugar, which is about 12 teaspoons on a 2,000 calorie diet. However, the American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to 6 teaspoons a day for women and 9 teaspoons a day for men.

Recipe adapted from dietitian and cookbook author Ellie Krieger’s recipe.

Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal

Serves 8
Prep time 20 minutes
Cook time 40 minutes
Total time 1 hour
Dietary Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Meal type Breakfast
Misc Child Friendly, Serve Hot
This healthy and flavorful breakfast is made with whole grains, fruit, vegetables and healthy fats, and is free of animal products.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon flax meal
  • 2 cups rolled oats (not quick cooking)
  • 1 cup almonds, walnuts, or pecans (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup green apple (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup raisins or other dried fruit
  • 2 cups almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons oil (canola, melted coconut, or other oil of choice)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, whisk together flax meal and 3 tablespoons water. Let sit for 5 minutes. Grease a cake pan, pie plate, or square baking dish.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine oats, nuts, coconut, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine. Add carrots, apple, and raisins and stir.
Step 3
In a medium bowl, whisk together almond milk, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla. Stir the flax mixture, then add to the milk mixture and whisk. Pour milk mixture over oat mixture and stir well.
Step 4
Pour oat mixture into prepared baking dish and bake for about 40 minutes, until golden brown on top.

Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthy, plant based, vegan, vegetarian, dairy free, and gluten free (use certified GF oats)

Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup

This compilation was originally assembled in 2015, but has been updated in 2018. Here are some delicious recipes for Thanksgiving sides, desserts, and ideas for leftovers. Everything is vegetarian and many recipes are completely plant-based. No recipes contain dairy, but if you need it to be dairy-free, be sure to double check the chocolate ingredients! Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup - 5 sides, 5 desserts, and 5 ways to use leftovers

Sides

Green bean casserole photo
Green Bean Casserole from scratch – plant-based
Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Grapes and Balsamic Reduction – plant-based
Vegan broccoli salad
Vegan Bacon-Flavored Broccoli Salad – plant-based
Garlic Cauliflower Mash
Garlic Cauliflower Mash – plant-based
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Dill – plant-based

Desserts

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie (no bake) – plant-based
Peanut Butter Chocolate Apple Nachos
Peanut Butter Chocolate Apple Nachos – can be plant-based (depending on chocolate)
Chickpea Blondies
Chickpea Blondies – can be plant-based depending on chocolate
"Anyberry" Cobbler with Coconut Milk Ice Cream
“Anyberry” Cobbler with Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Pumpkin Streusel Pie - No Oven Required guesswhoscooking.com
Pumpkin Streusel Pie – No Oven Required

 

Ways to Use Leftovers

If you’re cooking pumpkin or any other kind of winter squash, save the seeds! Clean and dry them, then try one of the two recipes below.

2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes
2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes – vegetarian

Leftover baked sweet potatoes or sweet potato mash? Mix with eggs and super simple pancakes!

Easy Cauliflower Fried “Rice” – plant-based

You can also toss leftover veggies into cauliflower fried “rice.”

Egg Muffins
Egg Muffins or Frittata Muffins – can be vegetarian

Leftover veggies? Chop them up and use them in an omelet, or an omelet muffin!

Salt and Vinegar Pumpkin Seeds
Salt and Vinegar Pumpkin Seeds – plant-based and one of Guess Who’s Cooking’s most popular recipes!
Chex Mix Flavored Pumpkin Seeds
Chex Mix Flavored Pumpkin Seeds – plant-based

Shakshuka (eggs in tomatoes)

Shakshuka (also spelled “shakshouka” and “chakchouk”) is a flavorful Middle Eastern and North African dish made of tomatoes, egg, and spices. It is a healthy combination of vegetables (tomato and onion), protein (eggs) and healthy fats (olive oil). Made in one pan, it is as easy to make as it is to clean up! It is delicious with a nice slice of crusty bread.

Shakshuka | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, simple, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, soy free

Shakshuka

Serves 3
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 22 minutes
Total time 27 minutes
This incredibly flavorful recipe is a great way to have vegetables for breakfast. Using fresh tomatoes instead of canned gives it a hearty, chunky texture and avoids potentially harmful BPA or other chemicals in can liners, which may be leached more easily due to the acidity of tomatoes. Tomato paste is available in glass jars and tetra paks. With that said, the nutrition benefits of eating canned tomatoes outweighs the risk of not eating enough vegetables, so if canned is your only option, go for it!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion (diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 3 cups ripe tomato (diced)
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 6 large eggs

Optional

  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach

Directions

Step 1
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until onions begin to brown, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds or until fragrant. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, and salt and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes start to break down. Add spinach if using and cook until it begins to wilt, 1-2 minutes.
Step 2
Crack eggs on top of tomato mixture, cover and simmer until eggs are set, about 7-10 minutes.

Shakshuka | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, simple, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, soy free

Shakshuka | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, simple, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, soy free

6 Healthy Valentine’s Day Breakfast Recipes

6 Healthy Valentines Day Breakfast Recipes | Guess Who's Cooking

The recipes below are healthy, natural, whole food breakfasts that are delicious and will impress your Valentine!

 

French Toast Apples

French Toast Apples | Guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, easy, lower carb, no added sugar, no refined grains

 

Savory Oatmeal

Umami Oatmeal - GuessWhosCooking.com - Savory oatmeal with sauteed veggies, chicken, and egg

 

Breakfast Cookies

Breakfast Cookies - vegan, no added sugar, healthy. www.guesswhoscooking.com

 

Coconut Flour Pancakes with Berry Chia Jam

Berry Chia Jam

 

No-Tatoes O’Brien

No-Tatoes O'Brien (Rutabaga)

 

Pizza Omelet

Pizza Omelet

French Toast Apples

French toast is a very popular breakfast item at restaurants, but is the opposite of a balanced meal. Traditional versions are prepared using white bread (refined flour) and high amounts of sugar, often followed by a flooding of sugary maple syrup or artificial “pancake syrup” or “original syrup.” Did you ever notice that those cheaper syrups at the grocery store aren’t even called “maple syrup”?

Instead, this recipe replaces the unhealthy white bread with much healthier apples, and contains no added sugar. Try serving this recipe with something other than syrup, such as fresh berries, nuts, and/or natural nut butter.

French Toast Apples | Guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, easy, lower carb, no added sugar, no refined grains

French Toast Apples

This healthy recipe replaces white bread with apples to make a delicious French "toast."

Ingredients

  • 2 Medium to large apples
  • 1 Large egg
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon virgin coconut oil (or other medium to high heat cooking oil)

Optional

  • 6-8 drops liquid stevia
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1
Cut the apples into 1/2 inch rounds, then use a paring knife to cut out the core.
Step 2
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, almond milk, cinnamon, and if using, vanilla and stevia.
Step 3
Heat a nonstick skillet (non-Teflon preferred) over medium heat. Add the oil.
Step 4
Dip the apple slices into the egg mixture, then onto the skillet. When the bottoms become golden brown, about 3 minutes, flip the apples with a spatula and cook the other side until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
Step 5
Repeat step 4 until all apple slices are cooked. Remove from pan and serve with your choice of berries, a touch of maple syrup, or nut butter.

French Toast Apples | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthy, easy, lower carb, no added sugar, no refined grains. Great for breakfast, brunch, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or Father's Day

French Toast Apples | Guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, easy, lower carb, no added sugar, no refined grains French Toast Apples | Guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, easy, lower carb, no added sugar, no refined grains

French Toast Apples | Guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, easy, lower carb, no added sugar, no refined grains