Herbed Eggs

1/4 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/4 tsp minced fresh thyme leaves
1/4 tsp minced fresh rosemary leaves
1 tblsp minced fresh parsley
1 tblsp freshly grated Parmesan
6 eggs
2 tblsp heavy cream (I’ve used the fat-free Half and Half successfully in this)
1 tblsp butter
Salt and pepper

Here’s what you do:

Preheat the broiler for 5 minutes and place the oven rack 6 inches below the heat.

Combine the garlic, thyme, rosemary, parsley and Parmesan and set aside.

Carefully crack 3 eggs into each of 2 small bowls or cups (you won’t be baking in these) without breaking the yolks. It’s very important to have all the eggs ready to go before you start cooking.

Place 2 individual gratin dishes on a baking sheet.

Place 1 tblsp cream and 1/2 tblsp butter in each dish. Place under the broiler for about 3 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Quickly, but carefully, pour 3 eggs into each gratin dish and sprinkle evenly with the herb mixture, then sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.

Place back under the broiler for 5 to 6 minutes, until the whites of the eggs are almost cooked. It may take longer depending on how long you messed around getting the eggs in the dishes and the herb mixture on top.

Rotate the baking sheet once if they aren’t cooking evenly. The eggs will continue to cook after you take them out of the oven. Allow to set for 1 minute and serve hot with toasted bread.

Very Best Blueberry Muffins

Muffin Base:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 cup fresh blueberries

Crumb Topping:
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, cubed [half a stick]
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.

2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.

3. To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

Creamy Dreamy Hot Cocoa

This is perfect treat for a cold winter night, decorating the Christmas tree, waiting for St. Nicholas or even better A SNOW DAY!!! I can also hardly wait to make this yummy treat on our next camping trip....

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup half-and-half cream

Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water.

Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch.

Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla.

Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

ENJOY!!!!!

French Toast Strata

1 loaf french bread (cubed into 1 inch pieces)
8 large eggs
8 oz cream cheese
2 1/2 cups half & half
8 Tbs butter (melted)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon

Grease a 13 inch by 9 inch pan. Arrange 1/2 the cubed bread in bottom of the pan. Cut up cream cheese into 1/2 inch cubes and layer over the bread. Top with remaining bread.

In a large blender or mixing bowl combine the remaining ingredients until well blended. Pour over bread and cover casserole with plastic wrap. Refridgerate 2-24 hours.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes until top and edges are browned. Serve warm with maple syrup. great with breakfast sausage links!

Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes

1 1/2 cup flour
1 Tbs sugar
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
3 Tbs butter - unsalted/melted
1 to 1/14 cup buttermilk
1 cup fresh blueberries

Mix together all dry ingredients - the add milk, vanilla, butter and beaten egg. once completely mixed fold in one cup of washed berries.

Cook in a hot greased skillet flipping once. Serve with berries and syrup of your choice.

*Best Practice: These are great anytime, but especially fun when camping. Simply mix all dry ingredients and place in a plastic storage container - when you are ready to mix add wet ingredients as indicated above - YUMMMOOOO!