PW Apricot Bars

I made this recipe on our annual family 3-day getaway with Brett's immediate family. Each couple is in charge of a meal, and Brett and I had Sunday breakfast. We decided on a breakfast burrito bar...simple and cheap! Though we were feeding a crowd, I wanted to make it as affordable as possible, and on top of that, I didn't want to have to wait up hours earlier to prepare the meal. So the burritos were a no brainer, but I wanted something sweet with the savory. I knew I wanted to make banana muffins, but I wanted one more thing...something different, and not a bread or doughy pastry. Then I found on the Pioneer Woman's website...and what woman doesn't either a) wish they were the Pioneer Woman, or b) worship all that she does? Maybe I speak for myself.

My conclusion...PERFECTION. Seriously-make these as soon as possible. And don't begin to think you have to have them for breakfast...they would make a wonderful dessert. Oh, and did I mention they are super simple, and you likely have most of the ingredients in your pantry (I had all but the preserves!).

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 3/4 sticks regular salted butter cut into pieces
1 (10-12 oz) jar apricot preserves

Mix together all ingredients except preserves. Press one half of the mixture into a buttered 8" square or small rectangular pan. spread apricot preserves over that layer. Sprinkle second half of mixture over the top and pat lightly. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until light brown. Let cool completely, then cut into squares.

**My notes-it is very important to let it cool COMPLETELY before you cut and remove from the pan-if not they are to warm and will just mush together.

Berry Blue Smoothies

In my efforts to find more ways to get fruits and veggies in, smoothies are my latest addition to our list of snacks or things have with breakfast. This is a great way to get fruit in, and blueberries are WONDERFUL for you. Now, I'm not a fan of the blueberry. I mean, I like the blueberry flavor (like a yogurt, candy, smoothie, etc), but not the berry itself. That makes this smoothie perfect, and I'm glad because of all of the benefits of the blueberry!

Brett's favorite fruit, snack, food, etc. is blueberries, and he LOVED this smoothie. He typically eats blueberries by the handful or in cereal (and if he had it his way those are the only things he would eat), and though he is happy with that, he welcomed the change.

Pulse the following ingredients in a blender until smooth:
2 cups fresh or thawed frozen blueberries

8 oz. low fat vanilla yogurt

1 cup milk (I used skim)

6 oz. unsweetened pineapple juice

3 tbsp. honey
1 1/2 cups ice cubes

I like a thick smoothie, and when first pouring these, I considered them pretty thin. But after sitting just a minute or so, they thickened up nicely. The flavor is so good. The blueberry is so fresh and the pineapple flavor is just the perfect compliment. This is even a great "treat" instead of ice cream, or other things I might indulge in that I shouldn't.

Christmas Eve Breakfast

So, I don't make breakfast that often...not a "sit-down breakfast" anyway. My typical breakfast for the week is made on Sunday-I make either egg and cheese bagels, or egg and potato burritos...something like that. I make enough for the week, wrap them up, and stash them in the fridge. This way, I can grab that and some fruit and get out the door, and I definitely don't have to get up earlier. I'm not a morning person after all! Every once in a weekend, I'll make waffles (frozen ones), pancakes (from a mix), or scrambled eggs and toast (really, how hard is that?), or cereal. OK, I know you don't "make" cereal, but you get my point.

So after scoring such a fantabulous deal on my gorgeous, new, dishes (and silver Christmas tree centerpieces and sparkly place mats) this week, I had to set the table. Obviously, I then felt obligated to make a really special meal so we could enjoy this! Since Brett and I decided to do "our Christmas" on Christmas Eve morning, it was perfect...I would cook breakfast that morning. But wait, it had to be good...no frozen, pop it in the toaster, or pour milk over it in a bowl breakfast. Something yummy. I realized I might have to go to some trouble.

I love pancakes...so instead of from-a-mix pancakes, I'd make homemade ones. And to "kick it up a notch" I would add fresh blueberries. Fruit salad would be on the menu as well-that is a must for a good well rounded breakfast. And, Eggs Benedict...Brett would be SO excited about this. It's his favorite, and goodness knows it's not something I just whip up at home.

I found the pancake recipe on Angela's blog (http://anglicious.blogspot.com/). The only thing I did different was add the blueberries.

So here's where my "going to trouble" came in...the Eggs Benedict. I had good intentions, I promise. But as Christmas Eve came near, the thoughts of this recipe scared me. The sauce seemed really easy to screw up, and I've never poached an egg. I didn't want it to be bad. I hope I don't loose any of my 3 blog followers for this, but...I chickened out. I ended up using a sauce mix, and just making over easy eggs. For the record, I did try to poach an egg, and it just didn't work out. I'm sure a couple more eggs later I could have mastered it, but I was getting excited and my dishes were waiting. The sauce actually turned out very good, the eggs were a good consistency, and it was perfect atop the Canadian bacon and English muffins!

So, I cheated a little, but give me some credit on the pancakes...those were the real deal, and SUPER yummy. Brett really like blueberries, so he ended up with them on top of his as well! He approved the Eggs Benedict, and assured me it was delicious.

As far as the fruit, I added sliced bananas to a melon/pineapple/grape mix that I bought.

The mostly prepared fruit and easy sauce mix ended up saving me alot of time, and everything was still so good. I'm sure I will make REAL Hollandaise sauce for Eggs Benedict someday. All in all, this was all about my new dishes and table scape, right?? Not the food!! :)