Make this Mother’s Day one to remember with these delicious breakfast options

POLOKWANE – After all, she is the one usually slaving in the kitchen to see that her family is well-fed and happy before tackling the day.

Now it’s your chance to spoil her rotten with easy to prepare breakfast ideas.

Some quick ideas:

• Fry up some chopped mushrooms and have them with delicious beef sausages and maybe an omelette as well. Serve with fresh fruit on the side

• French toast is very nice for breakfast. What you do is crack an egg or two into a bowl, whisk it until it’s turned into a yellowy colour and then get some sliced bread – preferably white, and not too fresh. Coat your bread in the egg and fry it for a few minutes until it goes a bit golden. Turn and fry the other side too. Tasty with golden or maple syrup and grated cheese.

• Oatmeal porridge is really nice for a quick breakfast, sprinkled with some cinnamon and sugar on top or served with berries.

• A smoothie (mango and passionfruit with lots of crushed ice) and french toast with blueberries and syrup.

• Waffles, either sweet or savoury. Potato waffles are great topped with hot beans and a poached egg and they’re really easy to make. Sweet waffles are great on their own, or with any sort of spread, jam or honey.

• Scrambled eggs mixed with some dill and feta cheese or put that into a buttered bagel or on toast.

• Cream cheese spread onto ciabatta toast with smoked salmon. Add some fresh greens and cherry tomatoes and a poached or scrambled egg.

• My favourite is a toasted sarmie with bacon, egg and banana.

• Don’t forget to serve with a glass of ice-cold fruit juice, or a fruit cocktail and a fresh flower or two.

Some easy recipes:

Delicious pancakes with berries

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk.
• 2 eggs
• 1/8 cup(35g) Sugar
• 1 cup (140g) self-raising flour
• 1 ½ tbsp margarine (Melted and cooled)
• Margarine or butter for cooking.

Serve with: Whipped cream and strawberries/banana/honey/maple syrup or berries or a combination of the above.

Method

Beat the milk, eggs and sugar in a bowl and mix.

Add the flour and whisk until fully mixed. It should be thick.

Lastly, add the melted margarine or butter and mix thoroughly.

Heat the pan over medium heat and add 1 tsp butter/margarine and allow to melt. Pour the thick pancake mix, using a ladle at the centre of the pan and allow to spread evenly.

Cook for about 2 minutes or until it turns brown on the edges and the top has small holes forming.

Turn to cook the second side for about 2 minutes or until browned. The heat should be kept at medium. Place on a plate when cooked.

Repeat the process until the pancake mix is done. Serve with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup and some whipped cream and strawberries. You can also use berries or add chocolate shavings or sauce.

French toast sticks

• ½ loaf white or wheat bread, unsliced and preferably stale
• 2 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Confectioners’ sugar, for garnish (optional)
• Honey-vanilla syrup
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup agave syrup
• ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cut the loaf into inch-thick slices, then cut each slice into inch-thick strips (3 or 4 strips per slice).

In a large, shallow container, whisk the milk with the eggs, sugar, salt, cinnamon and vanilla extract to combine.

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Working in batches, dip each stick of bread fully into the egg mixture to coat all sides. Hold it, submerged, in the mixture for 30 seconds, then remove and shake off excess. Cook the sticks in the skillet until golden on all sides, 1 to 2 minutes per side.

Make the honey-vanilla syrup: In a small pot, heat the honey, agave, vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons water over medium heat until warm and fluid, 3 to 4 minutes.

Serve the French toast sticks warm, with the honey-vanilla syrup on the side.

Alternative recipe for Flapjacks:

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk (preferably)
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• vegetable oil for brushing pan

Method

In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add buttermilk, butter and, egg; stir until flour is moistened.

Heat non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat until drop of water sizzles; brush lightly with oil. In batches, scoop batter into skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbly and edges are dry. With wide spatula, turn; cook 2 minutes more or until golden. Transfer to platter or keep warm on a cookie sheet in 225°F oven.

Repeat with remaining batter, brushing griddle with more oil if necessary.

nelie@nmgroup.co.za