Whole Wheat-Yogurt-Cinnamon Pancakes

Leave a comment January 14, 2016 thekitchenbeet

The Kitchen Beet - Whole Wheat Pancakes

I’ve made these pancakes so many times over the past few months, it would be inconsiderate not to share the recipe! These pancakes are my go-to for weekend breakfasts. (Though I did bust them out this past Tuesday to celebrate the first snow day of the year with my kiddos.) You’ve probably figured out by now that my style of cooking and eating always to aims to hit that sweet spot of food that makes me feel good, and food that is delicious. Sometimes I weigh more heavily to one side than the other – this Chopped Kale Salad with Lemon-Dijon Dressing is oh-so-good for you but still tastes delicious; this recently posted Butternut Squash-Sage Galette is ridiculously tasty while filling you up with veggies and herbs, but also a bit richer with its flaky, buttery crust. These pancakes have more whole wheat flour in them than all-purpose, a hearty amount of plain greek yogurt, and a little bit of butter and sugar. Every person in my family eats them faster than I can churn them out. Let’s get them on your weekend breakfast table, too.

Head to the Tropics Green Smoothie

1 Comment January 1, 2016 thekitchenbeet

Happy New Year! Ah, the promise of a fresh start. I love turning the page to a new year, even if only in my mind. There’s something about it that leads to new possibilities, that somehow didn’t exist in December. I realize that’s not exactly logical, but January 1 always holds promise. Perhaps this will be the year I *finally* feel organized, or accomplish some other lifestyle goal. Maybe I’ll travel to new places I really want to visit, like Oregon and Italy. Some of you may be lucky enough to currently feel the sun on your face in the tropics. For the rest of us, we can start the new year on a delicious foot and live vicariously through this smoothie.

The Easiest Huevos Rancheros

1 Comment November 17, 2015 thekitchenbeet

The Kitchen Beet - Huevos Rancheros

I’m always a candidate for easy, healthy, flavorful food. Every so often, I like to make breakfast for dinner. It’s usually some combination of a green smoothie, like this one, french toast or pancakes (like the whole wheat-yogurt-cinnamon ones I contributed to Darling), maybe potatoes and definitely eggs. The kids often prefer a scramble or boiled egg, but I like to whip these up for the adults at the table. This recipe serves one each for four (or two for you and your favorite fellow egg-lover), but really, you could multiply it many times.

Apple Cinnamon Pecan Oatmeal

6 Comments October 27, 2015 thekitchenbeet

For as long as I can remember, oatmeal has been part of my breakfast rotation. The weekday oatmeal is generally topped with hastily chopped bananas, a handful of raw nuts, dried fruit and maybe a spoonful of peanut butter. It certainly serves its purpose, but weekend oatmeal is a little more luxurious, with adequate time to saute fresh fruit and nuts in cinnamon and maple syrup. My mornings come before the sun rises, and the early hours of weekend are particularly serene – leaf blowers not yet roaring to life, children still snuggled in layers of blankets and perhaps one of the few opportunities to take time for myself throughout the week. A version of this recipe was first published in the fall 2014 issue of Chickpea Magazine, and I paired it with an essay titled, a morning date with you. One of my favorite excerpts: “Self-care is intentionally putting yourself first. Far from being selfish, it encourages you to carve out time to care of your health.” A year later, the sentiment still rings true. Perhaps during the next few weeks you can find a day to make this for yourself before dawn, before anyone or anything needs you, and just be.

Peaches and Coconut Overnight Oats

1 Comment September 14, 2015 thekitchenbeet

TKB - Peach Coconut Overnight Oats

Living in a place like Michigan, with all four seasons, really suits me. I could certainly handle some seasons being longer (oh, sweet, fleeting autumn) and perhaps shorten winter to three months instead of approaching six. But the variety is harmonious with my personality. I love when seasons collide, like now. Summer not quite ready to say good-bye; autumn chilling the air and lake in a way that makes jeans and sweatshirts deliciously appropriate. At the market this past weekend, I saw big Honeycrisp apples for the first time, but the peaches were still there, too. Before they’re gone, spend less than five minutes making yourself this breakfast. You can grab and go in the morning, and get something that fills you up instead of sacrificing because mornings often seem too short.