These recipes originally appear in the January 2023 issue of HomeLife Magazine.
Time for a new tradition: a breakfast bar.
A new year stands before us and with it comes a renewed hope for all the ways we will stretch our minds, shrink our waistlines, and give of our time. But as I look back over the years, one of my greatest joys found in these three endeavors has been cultivating my female friendships.
Whether your circle of friends is abundant or sparse, start this year with the mindset to deepen your existing friendships, while seeking new ones as well. In the past, I’ve broadened my scope by joining book clubs, Bible studies, and various volunteer groups. All are great for building relationships, which is essential for our wellbeing. However you choose to add to your community, make sure to share your heart, your talents, and even your home. When you invite others in and create a welcoming atmosphere, friendships blossom.
Ready to start? Host a morning mingle breakfast bar!
A morning gathering has several advantages. For one thing, everyone is fresh in the morning — well almost everyone — and expectations for edibles are low. So, by keeping things simple, it suggests you’re focusing on your friends and not the fuss. That doesn’t mean you can’t pamper your guests with something homemade, but whatever you make, keep it relaxed and easy.
A good thing to remember as you plan your menu is that when you’re chatting, you’re not chowing. Thus, the old adage: Less is more. A breakfast bar gives guests the opportunity to serve themselves — their way. This is especially helpful in January when so many of us are trying to regain our sense of health as we count our calories after the holiday food deluge. Offering smaller, healthier options not only gives the impression you’re pampering your guests, but less on the plate is more pleasing on the eye.
Not to be overlooked is the hands-off opportunity you’ll experience once the setup is done and your guests arrive. Simply show them to the goodies and step back. Make sure to take this time to mingle. It’s been my experience that once everyone grabs a plate, the conversations commence and the sharing begins.
Speaking of sharing, if by chance you’re serving something “worth writing home about,” be sure to create handwritten recipe cards to have available for sharing. Swapping recipes is always a great conversation starter, and by adding your name, date, and phone number your personal connection lives on.
The breakfast bar — there’s no better way to cultivate new friendships, because serving oneself is the most organic way to get elbow-to-elbow and heart-to-heart.
Great Start Granola | Makes 4-6 servings
Ingredients:
8 c. rolled oats
1-1/2 c. dates (pitted and chopped)
zest of 2 oranges
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. salt
2 c. water
toppings (see below for suggestions)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 275° degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, add oats and set aside. In a small saucepan, place the dates plus two cups of water and bring to a boil. Cook for about 10 minutes over medium heat, adding more water if necessary to keep dates from sticking to the pan. Remove from heat and add mixture to the blender along with the orange zest, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Blend until smooth. Add the date mixture to the oats and mix well. Divide the granola between two baking sheets spreading evenly. Bake for 40 minutes, stirring with a spatula every 10 minutes or so until crispy. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Granola will become crispier when completely cooled. Serve with yogurt, honey drizzle, dried fruit, chopped nuts, fresh strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, or mint sprigs.
Tip from Laura: If you don’t have a zester, peel the orange with a potato peeler and mince the zest with a sharp knife.
Angel Biscuits | Makes 15 biscuits
Ingredients:
1 package of regular or quick active dry yeast
1-1/2 tsp. warm water (105–115 degrees)
2-1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. sugar
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. buttermilk
3 Tbsp. butter (melted)
toppings (see Directions for suggestions)
Directions:
Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Set aside. In a large bowl add flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt. Cut in the shortening using a pastry blender (or use two forks) until mixture looks like fine beads. Stir in yeast and buttermilk. Stir together until dough leaves the sides of the bowl and forms a ball. Place dough on a floured surface and roll in flour if sticky. Knead lightly 25 to 30 times. Roll out with a pin until the dough is one-half-inch thick. Cut dough with floured biscuit cutter and place on non-greased sheet pan about one-inch apart. Bake 11–12 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from sheet pan to a wire rack and brush with melted butter. Serve hot with sausage gravy, fried chicken nuggets, fig spread, apple butter, honey butter, assorted preserves, or micro-greens.
Oh Boy! Waffles | Makes 8-10 servings
Ingredients:
2-1/2 c. all purpose flour
3/4 Tbsp. salt
2 Tbsp. baking powder
1 egg
1/2 c. oil
2 c. milk
toppings (see Directions for suggestions)
Directions:
In a large bowl, add the first three measured dry ingredients. In a separate small bowl, whisk together egg and oil, then add to dry ingredients with the milk. Whisk batter together well. Pour two-thirds of a cup of batter onto well-oiled waffle iron. When finished cut into wedges and serve warm with any of these suggested toppings: whipped butter, boysenberry syrup, fresh blueberries and strawberries, confectioner’s sugar, chocolate syrup drizzle, bananas, peanut butter, whipped cream, chicken nuggets, bacon bits.
Tip from Laura: Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the waffle mix for extra flavor.
