Sausage Hashbrown Casserole

Okay, so I have the BEST 4th grade team EVER!!!  We decided the second year our school was open that we were going to have what is called "Fun Friday," and each of the team members are responsible for a certain Friday of the month to bring a treat for the rest of the team.  My favorite thing to cook is breakfast because I can't think of anything better than having my classroom full of team members eating and talking about what we are going to do for the weekend before school even starts.  I always laugh because my students are always jealous about how the teachers got a special breakfast and they didn't:)  If state law allowed me to feed my students I would bring some for them too:)  I made this this past Friday and everyone seemed to love it!  The librarian and another 5th grade teacher even sneaked some.  I made it the night before and just woke up extra early Friday morning to pop it in the oven so it was nice and warm for everyone.






Ingredients

.     1pound mild ground pork sausage

1 pound hot ground pork sausage

1 (30-ounce) package frozen hash browns

1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

6 large eggs

2 cups milk

Preparation

• Cook sausages in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain well.
• Prepare hash browns according to package directions, using 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.
• Stir together hash browns, sausage, and cheese. Pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
• Whisk together eggs, milk, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Pour evenly over potato mixture.
• Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes.

**I made all of this the night before so I had to cook it a little over an hour.  So yummy!!!!

Southern Living
OCTOBER 2003

Whole Grain and Flax Blueberry Muffins

I have really enjoyed finding healthy breakfast recipes for Lilly to have at school.  Lilly and I made these this morning and she LOVES them!!! 





Whole Grain and Flax Blueberry Muffins

1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup hot tap water
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup agave nectar or honey
1/2 cup organic sugar
1 cup plain greek yogurt (or soy yogurt)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup flax seed meal
1 pint fresh blueberries

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the top of 2 standard size muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray and line with 24 paper liners. Set aside. In a large liquid measuring cup, combine oats and water. Set aside.

2. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda baking powder, and salt.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together agave nectar, sugar, yogurt, eggs, vanilla, oil, and flax meal. Add in oatmeal and dry ingredients, and stir until just combined. Fold in blueberries.

4. Fill liners about three fourths of the way full. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center muffins comes out clean.

Homemade Granola Bars

Now that Lilly is attending a new daycare I have to provide breakfast for her before she goes to school.  Because we have to wake up early, I wanted to find something for her that she would be able to eat on the way to school that wasn't going to be messy.  I also wanted something that was healthy for her and not full of preservatives.  After making these our house smelled so good, and my husband even tried one and loved them!  Enjoy!

To make these delicious and good for you granola bars, you will need the following ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup ground flax meal

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup raisins

1/3 cup chopped almonds

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup honey

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups rolled oats,

3/4 cup packed brown sugar,

1/2 cup ground flax meal,

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon,

1 cup flour,

1/2 cup raisins,

1/3 cup chopped almonds,

3/4 teaspoon salt.

Stir to combine.

Create a well in the dry mixture and add 1/2 cup honey,

1 egg lightly beaten,

1/2 cup veg oil,

and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

Use (both) hands to mix ingredients into a sticky dough.

In a 9×13 Pyrex that I sprayed liberally with Pam, push the mixture into the preparred Pyrex. You will notice it is very sticky.

Place the pan into a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden on the edges.
Let cool for about 5 minutes then cut into bars or squares. (Make sure you cut these when they are warm, when they harden it will be too late)

Enjoy!!