Cherry “Cheesecake” Breakfast with Greek Yogurt

I’ll always pick savory breakfast over sweet BUT I was inspired by all the yogurt flavors out there and I did pretty well to give the impression of Cherry Cheesecake without too much sugar. It’s just a fruit topping (thickened, without sugar), vanilla Greek yogurt, and a crumble as the crust (with some sugar). I prepped the crumble and the cherries on Sunday and this made for a delightful Monday morning.

The Three Bite Rule - Cheery "Cheesecake" Greek Yogurt Parfait
Another way to speed this up even more, would be to use granola for the crumble.

Ingredients:

2 tbs butter
1 cup Old Fashioned Oats
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups dark cherries, pitted (frozen & chopped)
1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tsp water (or skip and substitute 2 tbs fruit jam)
1 1/2 cup Vanilla Yogurt

Directions:

In a medium skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Then add the oats, flax seed, and brown sugar. Stir.
The Three Bite Rule - Cheery "Cheesecake" Greek Yogurt Parfait
In a small saucepan, add the cherries and cornstarch mixture (or substitute fruit jam) over medium heat. Stir and cook for 5 minutes until gently bubbling. Remove from the heat and let cool.
The Three Bite Rule - Cheery "Cheesecake" Greek Yogurt Parfait
Stir the crumble until coated and spoon onto a sheet of wax or parchment paper to cool and harden.
The Three Bite Rule - Cheery "Cheesecake" Greek Yogurt Parfait
When the crumble is cool and not tacky to the touch (20-ish minutes) break into chunks. Store in an airtight container or ziplock bag until serving.
Serve the crumble on the bottom, some vanilla greek yogurt, and cherries on top. Enjoy!
The Three Bite Rule - Cheery "Cheesecake" Greek Yogurt Parfait
I loved this. I wish I had more cherry mixture and more crumble! I ate it twice and was so happy to wake up to it. This definitely feels like a treat! It has the impression of dessert, but I kept the cherry mixture tart and tasting like real cherries without any sugar. The crumble had a nice nuttiness without costing $1,000 for lots of nuts. I’d probably toast some and add them next time. It seemed a bit more filling than just yogurt for breakfast.

Winner winner with a cherry on top.

Puff Pastry Cups with Spinach & Eggs

I’m on a bfast quest for some weekly fun not sweet breakfasts. I used my all-time-fav freezer ingredient: creamed spinach! These breakfast cups are so flavorful, full of texture, and couldn’t be easier. Easy like 3 ingredients easy. Puff pastry, eggs, frozen creamed spinach. Easy peasy!

The Three Bite Rule - Puff Pastry Cups with Eggs and Spinach

Ingredients:

1 sheet of frozen puff pastry
1 package creamed spinach
3 eggs

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375-degrees.
Scramble eggs until cooked through, but not over cooked.
The Three Bite Rule - Puff Pastry Cups with Eggs and Spinach
Warm the creamed spinach according to the package.
Roll the puff pastry out until even. Cut into 6 squares. Lay each square into a muffin tin.
The Three Bite Rule - Puff Pastry Cups with Eggs and Spinach
Divide the egg into each cup, and spoon the spinach on top.
The Three Bite Rule - Puff Pastry Cups with Eggs and Spinach
Pinch together opposite corners.
The Three Bite Rule - Puff Pastry Cups with Eggs and Spinach
Bake for 15-20 minutes until puffed up and golden brown.
The Three Bite Rule - Puff Pastry Cups with Eggs and Spinach
Enjoy!

I was making them in advance so I took them out of the oven on the earlier side. I toasted them in the toaster oven for breakfast time. I loooved these guys. How cute are they? The creamed spinach was so perfect in these functioning as sauce. The puff pastry is crispy and buttery.

Bacon, Egg & Grain Bfast Bowl

I’m on a bfast quest for some weekly fun not sweet breakfasts and these were so fun! I prepped them Sunday night and they were so perfect to quickly warm and have something delicious to start the day with. These breakfast bowls had bacon, hard boiled egg, everything-bagel-spices, and cracked wheat.

The Three Bite Rule - Breakfast Bowls

Bacon, Egg, & Grain Bfast Bowl (4-5 servings)

Ingredients:

1 cup cracked wheat/rice/lentils/barley
1/4 tsp dried onion
1/4 tsp sesame seeds
1/4 tsp poppy seeds
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt & pepper
3 strips of bacon
4 eggs, hard-boiled

Directions:

Cook the cracked grain according to the package. (Mine was cracked wheat).
While the grain is cooking, pan fry the bacon and hard boil the eggs.
In a dry pan over medium low heat, toast the spices, stirring regularly.
The Three Bite Rule - Breakfast Bowls
Drain the bacon onto a paper towel, saving 1 tsp of the bacon drippings. Add the drippings and the bacon into the cooked grain.
Stir the toasted spices into the grain too.
The Three Bite Rule - Breakfast Bowls

Chop the hard boiled egg and add that into the grain.
The Three Bite Rule - Breakfast Bowls
Serve and enjoy!

I was going to add in some cheese, but I ended up thinking it didn’t even need it. This was so good. The grain makes it really filling! I split it into 4 servings and I mini serving of the cracked wheat for the little guy. The everything-bagel totally amped up the flavor and I looooved that addition. These would pack up really easily if bfast travels with you to work too. Yum. This is where good morning comes from.

Spinach Parmesan Biscuits

So I felt a little guilty even sharing hummus & cukes on English muffins but instagram didn’t seem to mind and I’m on a bfast quest for some weekly fun not sweet breakfasts. This week was all about these savory biscuits to go with a green smoothies. These were just what I needed for some toasty savory bites in between sips of a greens/cranberry/citrus smoothie. I don’t like just drinking my breakfast. The smoothies leave me wanting to chew something too.

The Three Bite Rule - Spinach Parmesan Biscuits
I mixed up some regular biscuit mix with chopped fresh spinach (frozen would make it all green) and some grated parmesan.

Ingredients:

Biscuit mix (mixed according to package)
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1 cup grated Parmesan

Directions:

Mix up the biscuit mix with spinach and parmesan.
The Three Bite Rule - Spinach Parmesan Biscuits
Roll out the dough on a floured surface.
The Three Bite Rule - Spinach Parmesan Biscuits

Cut the biscuits with a round cutter, jar, or juice glass.
Bake according to the package.
Optional: brush with melted butter.
Cool and enjoy!

The Three Bite Rule - Spinach Parmesan Biscuits
I liked these, especially for the 10 minutes they took to mix up and the 10 minutes to bake. So easy. I’ll probably toss a few in the freezer once I’m over them and onto the next bfast quest. The parmesan is a light salty touch but these are fresh and fluffy. There are more quick breakfasts, comin’ up!

What I Ate: Hummus & Cucumber Toast

What I Ate’ is a series of posts for so-easy-this-doesn’t-need-a-recipe but I’m sharing with you for the idea or inspiration.

Seriously, I feel guilty sharing something as basic as this breakfast, but I am seeking inspiration. I’m on a bfast quest for some weekly fun not sweet breakfasts. Come along!

Why does all the breakfast have to be a) sweet or b) eggs? Answer: it doesn’t. I’m making myself get creative and vary week-day breakfasts that aren’t sugary.
The Three Bite Rule - Savory Weekday Bfast Quest

I layered my English muffin with hummus and a couple slices of English cucumber. I love the English ones because they’re not as seedy as regular one.  I can see myself eating this before/after a morning workout or as a light late dinner after a work event too. I like the creaminess of this while not being cheese. I wasn’t striving for dairy-free but this fits that bill if you’re needing that. On the other hand, a sprinkle of feta on top would add some salt if you wanted more flavor!

Avocado toast would probably be my daily breakfast of choice but avocados are so dang expensive on this side of the country. Plus, they sometimes escape me and are brownish mush.

Disclosure: My real-life breakfasts are often eaten right off the cutting board while I buzz around getting ready. Breakfast-on-the-go is for real. This would easily sandwich-ize if you were taking it out the door with you. I have a new car so I do not take my breakfast on the go anymore!

Apple Cider Pancakes

I used apple cider to make oatmeal awhile back and the other day a light dinged when I gave the babe some pancakes. Ah-ha! I thought cider would be good in place of the water! I kept these really straight forward but they’d be great with apple chunks, cinnamon and the cider.

The Three Bite Rule - Apple Cider Pancakes
Ingredients:
Pancake mix
apple cider

Directions:
Measure out the pancake mix according to the package. Replace the water with apple cider.
The Three Bite Rule - Apple Cider Pancakes
Preheat a grill pan or skillet to medium heat.
Mix until smooth.
Cook pancakes, flipping once the bubbles pop.
The Three Bite Rule - Apple Cider Pancakes
Serve with syrup and a drink of cider!
Enjoy!

The Three Bite Rule - Apple Cider Pancakes
The cider is a really light touch. I don’t know that everyone would necessarily taste it without knowing it was in there. An apple cider syrup would be delightful on these. So, in the end it worked just fine but wasn’t a strong flavor.

Bacon Cheddar Biscuits

This is all I need in life for breakfast. Well, maybe this biscuit with a runny-yolked egg as well. The bacon, cheddar cheese, and chives are so great in a fluffy buttery biscuit instead of just being on a biscuit as a bfast sandwich.
The Three Bite Rule - Bacon Cheddar Biscuits
Yum. These would be so great with an egg. Or as a breakfast sandwich, or on the go. Seriously so good any way you eat them. I was so impressed how fluffy and puffy the biscuits got. I froze some others before they got stale so I’ll have to report back how they are out of the freezer.

Ingredients:

biscuit mix, prepared according to the package
2 strips of bacon
1 cup of shredded cheddar
2 tbs chives, chopped (or green onions)

Directions:

Fry the bacon until crisp and let excess fat drain. Then chop it into small pieces.
Mix up the biscuits according to your package, adding in the cheese, bacon, and chives.
The Three Bite Rule - Bacon Cheddar Biscuits
Flour the counter with biscuit mix, and need them a few times. Flatten the dough out to 1/2 inch thick and cut out the biscuits with a biscuit cutter, a jar lid, a juice glass, etc.
The Three Bite Rule - Bacon Cheddar Biscuits
Bake according to your mix.
Right at the end, brush with some melted butter.
Serve & enjoy!

The Three Bite Rule - Bacon Cheddar Biscuits
You can thank me later. I couldn’t get over how fluffy these are! They were so quick to mix and bake. I had everything cleaned up before they were out of the oven and then I fell in love….probably smart that I did the dishes first because once I ate these I was really loving them. So good!

Breakfast Burger Bagel

My ratios were a touch off, but his breakfast burger was so fun. What’s more breakfast than bacon, an everything bagel, cheddar cheese, and a sunny side egg?! The bagel is pretty huge making an already small-ish burger look tiny but this one is a winner.

The Three Bite Rule - Breakfast Bagel Burger
I mixed up some maple mustard for a touch of sweetness and a little mustardy tang. That and the egg yolk are the only condiments needed!

The Three Bite Rule - Breakfast Bagel Burger
I made breakfast burgers on english muffins with bacon jam that were really incredible. Breakfast for dinner is the best!

Bacon, Cheddar, and Caramelized Onion Quiche

This might be my new favorite quiche. Bacon and cheddar is a happy union but the caramelized onions add some sweetness to the party. I need caramelized onions in my life more often. I bought onions and then discovered I already had a bunch. Oops. Time to make a batch of caramelized onions before mine start growing sprouts. I made a big batch and froze the rest for the next pizza that needs a topping, or omelette that needs something special, or the next panini. If you’re going to take the time/patience to caramelize one onion, you might as well caramelize a bunch.

Bacon Cheddar & Caramelized Onion Quiche - The Three Bite Rule

Ingredients:

pie crust
5 slices bacon
3 eggs
2 egg yolks
1 cup milk
1 tbs dijon mustard
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
salt & pepper
1 onion, caramelized
6 oz cheddar

Directions:

Cut onions into thick rings then in half and half again the other way. Caramelize onions in a heavy skillet over low heat and 1 tbs of olive oil.
Bacon Cheddar & Caramelized Onion Quiche - The Three Bite Rule
Cook over low, stirring occasionally for 30-40 minutes until lightly browned.
Bacon Cheddar & Caramelized Onion Quiche - The Three Bite Rule
Pan fry the bacon until crisp.
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
Whisk together the eggs, yolks, milk, mustard, cream of tartar, salt & pepper.
The Three Bite Rule - Quiche Lorraine
In the crust, add in the cheese, bacon, and onions in layers.
Bacon Cheddar & Caramelized Onion Quiche - The Three Bite Rule
Pour the egg liquid mixture over the top.
Bacon Cheddar & Caramelized Onion Quiche - The Three Bite Rule
Bake 30 minutes until the center is set. Let cool before slicing. Enjoy!
Bacon Cheddar & Caramelized Onion Quiche - The Three Bite Rule

I love the smoky bacon with the sweet onions, with the sharp cheddar. Pure bliss. Quiche is perfect for breakfast or lunch and I loved having some on hand. I doubled the egg mixture (thanks to eggs from the ‘rents) and made my sis a broccoli cheddar quiche at the same time. A crust pack of 2 and plenty of cheese on hand helped remind me that making 2 quiches at once was the same amount of work as making one. Try it. Double the egg mix and use the veggies you have around and gift one away. It’ll feel as good as it tastes.

Cereal Crusted French Toast

For my restaurant recreation, I remembered a favorite from one of the best bfast joints around. Zoe’s in Cambridge makes a crunchy french toast coated with cereal and nuts. Everything on their menu is always good and their menu is incredible and extensive, though parking was always atrocious.

I had some not-amazing cereal that was perfect to crust French toast with! It was Protein Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crunch by Special K. It was OK cereal but since we weren’t eating it quickly it seemed like not our favorite. The flavor of cereal prompted my additional flavors for the cereal coating. Nuts would be a good addition or even blending up the not-enough-for-a-serving remains of multiple cereals.

The Three Bite Rule - Cereal Crusted French Toast
Ingredients:
4 slices of french bread
4 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/8 cup vanilla coffee creamer or heavy cream (optional)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups cereal
1 tsp cinnamon
dash pumpkin pie spice
2 tbs brown sugar

Directions:
Whisk together the eggs, milk, creamer, and vanilla. Then soak the bread in it while you make the coating.
The Three Bite Rule - Cereal Crusted French Toast
In a food processor, blend together the cereal, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and brown sugar.
The Three Bite Rule - Cereal Crusted French Toast
Heat a skillet or griddle to medium heat.
Toss the bread into the cereal coating on both sides.
The Three Bite Rule - Cereal Crusted French Toast
Melt butter onto the griddle and pan fry the french toast.
The Three Bite Rule - Cereal Crusted French Toast
Cook for about 4-6 minutes on each side, being careful not to let the sugar or cereal burn.
The Three Bite Rule - Cereal Crusted French Toast

Keep warm in the oven if cooking in batches. Serve with maple syrup & enjoy!
The Three Bite Rule - Cereal Crusted French Toast
I know, none of us really neeeeed ways to sweeten & add more calories to French Toast, but this makes it ohh so good. I love the crispy crunch on the outside with a soft inside. I think a crazy sugary cereal like peanut butter captain crunch or frosted flakes, or cinnamon toast crunch would be ahhh-mazing too. Though, I try to keep my cereal choices somewhat on the nutritious side.

Mr. J likes some of those kiddie-intended cereals (which allows me to sneak a bowl here and there) and they’re not the worst thing you could choose. I’ve heard some kids get to pick any sugary cereal for their birthday. Mr. J got those sugar-loaded ones for a special first-day-of-school treat. I love those ideas. One family I babysat got those as dessert since they’re vitamin fortified and a serving of milk.

What about you? Are you raisin bran or lucky charms?