Tuesday, September 25, 2012

52 Healthy Meals in 12 Minutes or Less (Breakfast)


Being hungry sucks (it’s a scientific fact). So why spend hours cooking a gourmet feast when a nutritious and delicious meal could be only 12 minutes away? Skip the grumbling tummy and cranky guests and serve up any one of these 52 satisfying meals.

Breakfast:

1. PB & H Waffle
Toast 1 whole-grain waffle and smear with 1 tbsp. natural peanut butter. Drizzle with 1 tsp. honey and sprinkle with 1 tsp. sesame seeds.

2. Cold Pizza
Nope, not the takeout kind! Toast 1 slice whole-grain bread and top with 2 tbsp. ricotta, 1 large basil leaf, 2 tomato slices, a drizzle of olive oil, and salt and pepper.

3. Eggs in a Muffin
Heat a pan with a spritz of cooking spray over medium heat. Season 1 egg with salt and pepper, scramble, and cook to desired consistency (no more than five minutes). Top egg with 1 slice cheddar cheese and allow cheese to melt. Pile egg and cheese on 1 toasted whole-wheat English muffin and add 1 slice cooked Canadian bacon. (Use half the muffin and eat it open-faced to save a few calories!)

4. Canadian Waffles
Toast 1 whole-wheat waffle and top with 1 slice cooked Canadian bacon, 1 over-easy egg(prepared with cooking spray), and a 1 to 2 tsp. drizzle of maple syrup.

5. Cereal A-Go-Go
Swap out the milk in a bowl of cereal for 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt flavored with 1/8 tsp. lemon zest and 1 tsp. honey. Add ½ cup bran flakes and some extra flavor with ¼ cup fresh berries or1 tbsp. sliced almonds.

6. Breakfast Taco
In a pan spritzed with cooking spray over medium-high heat, scramble 3 egg whites, a small handful of spinach leaves, and 1 tbsp. drained and rinsed black beans. Season with salt and pepper. Wrap mixture in an 8-inch whole-wheat tortilla and top with 1 tbsp. salsa.

7. Chocolate-Banana Shake
Blend together 1 packet chocolate breakfast powder (like Carnation Breakfast Essentials), 1 cup milk of choice, and ½ frozen banana. Optional: Add a scoop of protein powder for improved muscle recovery.

8. Oatmeal in an Instant
Skip pre-made packets in favor of this homemade version. Combine ½ cup rolled oats, 1 cup milk or water, and a pinch of salt, and microwave for 3 minutes. Stir in toppings of choice, like 1 tsp. maple syrup, 2 tbsp. sliced almonds, or ¼ cup dried fruit.

9. Broiled Grapefruit
Preheat broiler and halve 1 chilled grapefruit. Sprinkle each half with ½ tsp. sugar and ¼ tsp. cinnamon. Broil both halves on a baking sheet for 3-5 minutes. Serve with 1 slice of whole-wheat toast spread with 1 tbsp. nut butter for a complete breakfast.

10. Mini Wrap
Top an 8-inch whole-wheat tortilla with 2 slices Canadian bacon, ½ sliced apple, and 2 to 3 slices cheddar cheese. Roll up and microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until cheese is melted.

11. Vegan Breakfast Scramble
In a frying pan over medium-high heat combine ½ cup tofu (crumbled), a handful of spinach, ¼ cup chopped red peppers, 1/8 cup chopped onion, 1/8 cup chopped vegetarian bacon, and a few dashes of paprika. Sauté until veggies are cooked and tofu is heated through. Season withsalt and pepper to taste.

12. Nutty ‘Nana
Toast 1 slice whole-grain bread and top with 1 tbsp. crunchy almond butter and ½ a sliced banana.

13. Berry Yogurty Smoothie
Blend together ½ cup frozen strawberries, ½ cup frozen blueberries, 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt, 2 tsp. honey, and ¼ cup milk of choice.

14. Sweet n’ Savory Breakfast Pizza
Preheat the broiler (or toaster oven). Microwave 2 slices turkey bacon for 30-60 seconds (or until crisp) and crumble once cooked. Spread 1 tbsp. low-fat ricotta on 1 whole-wheat tortilla. Top with ¼ cup sliced strawberries and/or blueberries and the bacon. Broil 5 minutes or until fruit softens and begins to caramelize.

15. Sun-Dried Tomato Omelet
Coat a pan with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. Pour in 3 egg whites mixed with 1 tsp. water and salt and pepper (to taste). When eggs begin to set, top half with 2 tbsp. goat cheese, ½ cup fresh spinach, and 2 tbsp. chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Fold in half and cook 2 more minutes, or until egg whites are set, veggies are warmed through, and cheese is melted.

16. Frog in a Hole
Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Spread 1 slice of whole-grain bread with 1 tsp. butter. Use a cookie or biscuit-cutter to cut a hole in the center of the bread. Place the bread— buttered-side down— in the pan and crack 1 egg into the hole. Cook until egg sets, about 2 to 4 minutes. (Flip half way through for a more well done egg.)

17. Fruit Parfait
Layer together: 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt sweetened with 1 tsp. honey, ½ cup granola, and ½ cup frozen blueberries and strawberries.

18. Breakfast Quickie Cookie
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine ½ cup oats, ¼ cup liquid egg whites, 1 ½ tbsp. brown sugar, 1 ½ tbsp. all-purpose flour, ½ tsp. vanilla extract, ½ tsp. baking powder, 2 tbsp. raisins, and cinnamon to taste. Flatten half the mixture into the bottom of the bowl and microwave for 45 seconds. Pop cookie out of the  bowl and repeat with second half of mixture.

19. Pumpkin Muesli
Combine ¼ cup quick-cooking oats and ¼ cup pumpkin puree in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and nuke for 20 seconds. Let sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine ½ cup plain nonfat yogurt, 2 tbsp. honey, 1 tsp. lemon zest, and 2 tbsp. sliced almonds in a separate bowl. Stir yogurt  mixture into the oat mixture and enjoy. Extra points for adding fresh fruit, too!

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