breakfast

Food News

Snag a Loaf of Pepperidge Farm's New Swirl Bread Before It's Too Late

Pepperidge Farm's swirled loaves have a special place in my heart: growing up, I was never allowed white bread, save for an occasional slice of Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Swirl, because even my mother couldn't resist the loaf.

Pepperidge Farm's swirled loaves have a special place in my heart: growing up, I was never allowed white bread, save for an occasional slice of Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Swirl, because even my mother couldn't resist the loaf. So when we received a special delivery of the breadmaker's newest, limited-edition flavor, Blueberry Swirl ($4), I audibly squealed with delight (to the alarm of my co-workers) and sprinted to the toaster.

The spongy, melt-in-your mouth bread has all the awesome qualities found in the original cinnamon loaf; only this time, it's dotted with dried blueberries and a blueberry-flavored swirl. Is it made with real blueberries? Don't know and don't care! Actually, a quick scan of the ingredients does show dehydrated blueberries and blueberry juice concentrate (at the very bottom of the list). But that's no bother! The blueberry flavor bursts forth, making this one berry fruity, addictive bread. Try to stop at one slice; I dare you. Keep reading to see how long it's on shelves.

Breakfast

Gluten-Free Quinoa Granola From Gwyneth's New Cookbook

There's been a lot of hype around Gwyneth Paltrow's new healthy cookbook, It's All Good ($32), but every recipe I've tested so far has exceeded my expectations.

There's been a lot of hype around Gwyneth Paltrow's new healthy cookbook, It's All Good ($32), but every recipe I've tested so far has exceeded my expectations. This vegan and gluten-free granola is no exception.

High in iron and completely free of cholesterol, Gwyneth's granola is sweet and nutty with the perfect crunch, everything you want in a bowl of granola. Chopping all the dried fruit is a laborious process, so I'd suggest cooking this over the weekend when you have plenty of time to spare. Once you've made a big batch, you can enjoy it all week long: the granola can be stored in a glass jar for up to two weeks. Keep reading to learn how to make this gluten-free recipe.

cooking tips

The Secret to Perfectly Textured Oatmeal

Rolled oats, while creamy, soothing, and convenient, often verge on mushy or even gluey in texture.

Rolled oats, while creamy, soothing, and convenient, often verge on mushy or even gluey in texture. Steel-cut oats, while nutty and toothsome, take nearly double the time to prepare as rolled, and if undercooked come off a bit gravelly. The question arises, then: how can we glean the benefits of both and simmer up a bowl of oatmeal that has exceptional texture and flavor and is convenient to boot?

Thankfully, the answer couldn't be simpler: instead of sticking to one variety or another, use equal parts steel-cut and rolled the next time you start your day off the oaten way. I've been a steadfast convert ever since I tried this ridiculously simple tip gleaned from April Bloomfield's much-loved cookbook, and I suspect once you try it for yourself, you'll follow suit. The resulting texture is simultaneously creamy and chewy, toeing the line perfectly between the pros and cons of each variety.

Weight Loss

Breakfast Time! 7 Days of Smoothies

Need a quick meal that's easy to make, full of healthy ingredients, and also tastes delicious?

Need a quick meal that's easy to make, full of healthy ingredients, and also tastes delicious? Solve this tall order by whipping up a fruit smoothie. Here are seven different recipes you can enjoy every day of the week, plus a grocery list for the entire weeklong meal plan. A few of these recipes are low enough in calories that you can enjoy them alongside a moist and delicious 150-calorie banana muffin.

healthy living

4 Filling Breakfasts Under 400 Calories

Tired of your go-to breakfast recipe?

Tired of your go-to breakfast recipe? Trade your traditional morning fare for a satisfying option that weighs in at less than 400 calories. And if you're trying to cut back on sodium, dairy, sugar, or gluten in your daily diet, then one of these recipes needs to make its way into your kitchen — and onto your healthy plate — ASAP.

Low-Sodium: Harley Pasternak's Breakfast Smoothie = 382 Calories

Harley Pasternak's delicious apple and yogurt breakfast smoothie offers a big boost of protein, fiber, and vitamins to kick off your day. One of Harley's smoothie's brings 120 milligrams of sodium to your first meal of the day, only 5 percent of your recommended intake for the day.

Dairy-Free: Two Banana Buckwheat Waffles = 374 Calories

Vegan waffles that are moist on the inside but crispy on the edges can be tough to come by. Luckily, these vegan buckwheat waffles live up to the hype. Beyond their dairy-free status, these waffles are completely free of cholesterol. Slice up some banana, and you've created a perfect breakfast sandwich.

Keep reading for two more low-calorie breakfast recipes. One is low-sugar and the other gluten-free.

Breakfast

Pancakes 3 Ways: Banana Walnut, Chocolate Chip, and Blueberry Ricotta

Want to wow friends and family with your breakfast skills?

Want to wow friends and family with your breakfast skills? Surprise diners with a trio of pancakes served three ways. Start with a classic buttermilk pancake batter, then turn to our three different filling suggestions for a stack of flapjacks sure to suit any whimsy. Banana walnut re-creates the comfort of nostalgic baked goods; mini chocolate chip pancakes are a universal childhood favorite; blueberry ricotta offers a grown-up, gourmet twist on the standard. Watch the recipe to see how they're made.

Breakfast

Hold the Ham: More Fun Twists on Eggs Benedict

Perfectly coddled eggs and ham on an English muffin: what's not to like?

Perfectly coddled eggs and ham on an English muffin: what's not to like? Although a grand breakfast like eggs Benedict might usually be reserved for weekends, we've happened upon National Eggs Benedict Day, so there's no excuse not to eat the country's favorite brunch item at just about any hour today.

Before you get started poaching your own eggs, however, take a look at the variations you might want to take on for this American classic.

  • Eggs Florentine: poached eggs and spinach atop an English muffin with hollandaise sauce.
  • Eggs Royale: poached eggs and smoked salmon atop an English muffin with hollandaise sauce.
  • Eggs Blackstone: poached eggs, side bacon (that'd be the type most commonly seen in America), and a tomato slice atop an English muffin with hollandaise sauce.
  • Eggs Sardou: poached eggs and creamed spinach atop artichoke bottoms with hollandaise sauce; a specialty of New Orleans.
  • Eggs Provençal: poached eggs and ham atop an English muffin, served with béarnaise sauce in place of hollandaise.
  • Eggs Beauregard: fried eggs and sausage patties atop an American biscuit, served with country gravy in lieu of hollandaise sauce.

What's your favorite twist on eggs Benny — or do you prefer the tried-and-true classic?

Photo: Nancy Einhart
recipes

This Tropical Green Smoothie Is Spring Break in a Glass

Miss out on Spring break?

Miss out on Spring break? Not to worry: mango, avocado, pineapple, and a few splashes of milk are all you need to go on a miniature tropical getaway.

Why, you might ask, should you add avocado to the smoothie? Don't skip out on it: the fruit imparts a pleasant green hue on the drink, plus it contributes to the overall thickness and mouthfeel of the smoothie, since avocados are naturally high in fat. It won't really affect the flavor, though: this smoothie is all about the mighty sweet mango and mouth-puckering pineapple.

I prefer my smoothies on the thicker side, but keep blending it with more milk until you reach your desired consistency. I like to pop my smoothie in the freezer for 10 minutes or so to really chill it up.

Keep reading for the recipe.

healthy living

Best Brunch Practices: Spinach Quinoa Scramble

If two scrambled eggs always leave you wanting more, bulk up your breakfast with two healthy ingredients: spinach and quinoa.

If two scrambled eggs always leave you wanting more, bulk up your breakfast with two healthy ingredients: spinach and quinoa. This satisfying, vitamin-packed dish offers a whopping 19.6 grams of protein per serving. It's delicious enough to savor as a weekend treat, but it also takes less than 10 minutes to cook, making it a special breakfast option you can enjoy before work. Keep reading to learn how to make this quick recipe.

Weight Loss

Cut Brunch Calories Without Feeling Deprived

Who can resist cutting into a stack of fluffy pancakes dripping with melted butter and syrup, or biting into a savory egg and sausage bagel sandwich?

Who can resist cutting into a stack of fluffy pancakes dripping with melted butter and syrup, or biting into a savory egg and sausage bagel sandwich? Weekends just don't seem the same without indulging in one of these decadent brunch favorites, except when you start to realize it's working against your best healthy efforts. You can still enjoy brunch without busting your waistline; here are some ways to save calories without feeling like you're missing out.

What you crave: French toast with maple syrup (two pieces): 498 calories
Eat this instead: Mixed berry pancakes with maple Greek yogurt (three pancakes): 288 calories
Calories saved: 210

What you crave: Eggs Benedict with hash browns: 810 calories
Eat this instead: Vegan eggs Benedict with sweet potato hash: 621
Calories saved: 189

Photo: Lizzie Fuhr

What you crave: Egg and sausage on a bagel: 551 calories
Eat this instead: Egg and sausage on an English muffin: 392 calories
Calories saved: 159

What you crave: Cheese omelet (three eggs) with hash browns: 536 calories
Eat this instead: Scrambled eggs (two eggs) with hash browns: 350 calories
Calories saved: 186

Keeping reading for more ways to save brunch calories.