Our GoTo breakfast muffin

Do you ever have those mornings when everything is so rushed, your running behind schedule and you realize that no one has had breakfast? This is my family's go to, quick bite to eat for breakfast. I usually make a double batch as they go like candy in this house.

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

recipe from (recipes.sparkpeople.com)

 

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups mashed bananas (4-5 large bananas)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup butter (melted and cooled) * I just soften the butter much easier.
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 5 tsp. baking powder
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips *I usually use mini chocolate chips- trust me it makes such a difference.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and either grease a muffin pan or use paper muffin liners.
Now place the oats and milk in a small bowl to soak. 
In another bowl, this is usually my KitchenAid mixing bowl, mix sugar and butter, then add bananas, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well.
In yet another large bowl mix together all your dry ingredients, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and flour. I know a lot of bowls but it just makes sure all the flavors are evenly mixed.
Finally add the oat mix to the banana mix and stir well. Then slowly add the flour mixture in so that everything is evenly incorporated.
Last but not least toss in the chocolate chips and give it one final stir.

Now for my favorite part, filling the pan and baking the goodies. Years ago I bought a large cookie scoop and can I just say how easy it makes life when trying to bust out muffins or cupcakes. Use whatever you've got to fill the pan and place in the oven to bake for 20 minutes. The tops will be nice and golden when done. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then grab a glass of milk and devour before someone else does.

Recipe makes 24 muffins. These muffins freeze great, so for busy families make a double batch and put some in the freezer for those unexpected hectic mornings. Just pop it in the microwave for 10-15sec and your good to go.

Olive Garden Wanna Be

One of my favorite places to eat is The Olive Garden but honestly with five kids the chances to go out to eat are few and far between. Thankfully, the internet is full of copycat recipes of some of their most popular dishes. Last night was one of those nights when I wanted the O.G. experience without packing up the kids to go get it. I decided to whip up some Pasta e Fagioli and Breadsticks to satisfy my craving. Enjoy!

Olive Garden Breadsticks

recipe from (www.chef-in-training.com)

 

• 1 1/2 cup warm water
• 1pkg active dry yeast * I buy the jar yeast so use 2 1/2 Tbsp.
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp melted unsalted butter *I love salt so I use the salted butter
• 1Tbsp salt
• 4 1/4 cups all purpose flour

 
• 1 stick unsalted butter melted *again I used salted... I know so bad
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1tsp salt

 

Okay now for the fun part....

Start by dissolving the sugar and yeast in the warm water in a large bowl. I am still perfecting my bread making skills so I usually resort to my good ole' KitchenAid mixer. When the recipe calls for warm water I typically turn on my faucet to hot water and then turn it down until it is at the tempurature that I can keep my finger under the water for several seconds; I know so technical. I believe the exact temp it should be is between 110- 120 degrees F. Let the mixture sit for about 10 min until it is foamy.

foamy yeast mixture

 Once the yeast looks like this it is time to add the other ingredients. Start with the melted butter and then add the salt. After they are incorporated to the yeast slowly add the flour. Since I use my KitchenAid, I use the low mix speed with the paddle attachment. When the dough starts to pick up all the remaining flour from the edges of the bowl and is forming a ball around the paddle I stop the mixture and get ready to make my breadsticks.
 
Start by greasing a cookie sheet. Pull off pieces of dough and roll out into strips. Now let me just say I have somewhat more left to be desired in the art of breadstick making as mine typically look like small loaves, so don't fret if they are not perfect. Once all the dough is rolled set aside in a warm place to rise for about 45min. I like to preheat my oven to 200 degrees F then turn it off and add a small bowl of hot water to give my bread ideal conditions.



my "breadsticks" resting

After 45 min is up, its time to preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. If your doing my method of letting them rise in the oven, remove them before preheating to 400.



LOL... like I said mini loaves after rising for 45min.

Place in the oven for 7 minutes. While they are cooking make the butter topping mix of butter, garlic and salt. After the 7 minutes are up pull the rack out and brush the top of the breadsticks with butter, then return to the oven for another 6-8mins. Watch for the tops to turn a golden brown. When they are done cooking pull them out and do another brushing of the butter mixture and they are ready to eat.



The finished product.... yum!

Now while the breadsticks are rising is a great time to multitask and get the soup/chili going.

Pasta e Fagioli

recipe from (olivegarden.com)

• 1 lb. ground beef  *I use ground turkey, trying to be healthy ya know
• 1 small onion, diced *used diced dried onion... busy mom too lazy to chop
• 1 large carrot, chopped *I do 1 cup shredded carrot... trying to trick my kids
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 quart of tomatoes ( or 2 14.5oz. cans diced tomatoes)
• 1 15oz. can red kidney beans (w/liquid)
• 1 15oz. can great northern beans (w/liquid)
• 1 15oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 Tbsp. white vinegar
• 11/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1 tsp. basil
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/2tsp. thyme
• 8oz. Ditali pasta *basically half the bag

Okay start by browning the hamburger with the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic; I love this smell.

browning the meat and yummy veggies

As much as I would like to be like those other food blogs where ever step has a picture, I am a busy mom making dinner as I help my kids finish homework and pack their lunches for school, so unless it is a step that is hard to explain or needs a particular look before progressing don't hope for lots of pictures. Okay, once the meat is cooked it is time to add all the other ingredients EXCEPT the pasta. Mix well and cook covered on low-medium (slight simmer) heat for 1 hour. 

 

Now the reason I don't throw the pasta in is because the noodles will soak up all the juices and then you'll end up with a thick stew and mushy pasta. The solution to this is a fun little trick that I learned from purusing Pinterest. After about 50 min get a seperate pot of salted water boiling on the stove. Add your pasta and cook until Al dente (~11 min). Once drained you can add the pasta to the finished soup or you can dish the pasta into the bowls first and top with the soup; This is great for kids who like my oldest son really dislikes beans but loves noodles, so he gets more noodles than others.

 

Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top, grab a breadstick and enjoy!

 

Love Olive Garden night!