Monday, July 2, 2012

An Omelet Muffin or a Breakfast Cupcake

Breakfast time at our house is such a big deal and it's not always an easy one. Everyone is tired of the same old thing..eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, pancakes, cereal....
I've been attempting to try new things & different ways of cooking to get everyone interested in a more healthy meal.
This morning was such a success! 
 I was able to cook an omelet style breakfast muffin that even included broccoli in the mix!  My two year old thought he was a big boy eating what we ate and he thought he was getting a treat by the fact that it looked like a muffin or a cupcake!  The cheese on top made it even more appealing!

Today these were served alone.  Between my husband, my 2 yr old and my self, only one was left!  However, if you serve these with pancakes or other items they will probably go around more.

If a bigger portion were more your style, you could try different shaped muffin pans or perhaps a ramekin type dish.  You could even cook this in a casserole dish though you would need to alter the cooking times as I'm sure that size would be closer to the 20 mark.
The recipe found at the end makes about 12 muffins.  In my oven these cooked about 17 minutes. Here is what I did:

I added the broccoli to a microwavable bowl; added a few tablespoons of water and microwaved it for 7 minutes.  I have a small microwave so you should start with 5 minutes for a regular or larger size.  When the broccoli is tender, drain and mash with a fork & set aside.  If your kids are picky, you can chop the broccoli in a food processor or baby bullet if you have one.
(Sorry no picture of the broccoli.

Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat.  I used a mild sausage that comes in the tube that you can find near the bacon at the store.
It should be cooked until it's not longer pink but you don't want to overcook as it will be rubbery & will loose flavor.  I didn't time it exactly but I guess it took about 8 minutes or so.  You will know when it is done.
When done, drain and rinse the grease.  Mix in the broccoli with the meat.

In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, melted butter and baking power.  Add salt & pepper and/or add any other spices that you'd like. 
Spray or grease a muffin pan with butter.  Spoon the meat/broccoli mixture into the muffin slots. 
Sprinkle some grated cheese on top if you are a cheese lover! I used mild cheddar and mozzarella.  I always grate my cheese on the spot as it is much better!  Prepackaged grated cheese will also work but I promise it will not taste as good as freshly grated cheese.  
Next, pour the egg mixure on top.  My mixing bowl had a  pouring spout, but you could also use a ladle, spoon or any other neat kitchen gadget that you may have.
After all the egg mixture has been added, top with cheese!  
 
Now they are ready to bake at 375!
I started with 15 minutes as I didn't want to over cook them.  When they start too look slighlty brown on top and on the sides, they are ready!  
These cooked for about 18 minutes. 
 See how they pulled apart from the sides slightly?
I can honestly say, these turned out just right!
l slid a nife around the edges and used a silicone spatula to get the muffins out of the pan and wala!



Enjoy and let me know what you think when you try them!  I would love to hear any variations you make.
I think I may try to add spinach next time as well.



Ingredients
  • 1 lb or so of Sausage - (any flavor that you like, though if you're serving kids you may want to stay away from the hot blends.) 
  • 1 cup broccoli 
  • 9  large eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk 
  • 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder 
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • Salt & pepper to taste 
  • 1 block or pkg of cheese, I used Mild Cheddar & Mozzarella - Give or take; depending how much you like cheese.

Directions
  1.  Preheat over to 375 F & grease a muffin/cupcake pan
  2.  Steam broccoli-in a steamer, a microwavable dish with a few tablespoons of water for about 5-7 in the microwave, or boil in water on stove until tender.  When tender, mash with fork & set aside.
  3. Cook sausage in skillet over medium heat until no longer pink.  Drain meat of fat/grease.
  4. Whisk together eggs, milk, butter, oil and baking powder.  Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Spoon out the sausage and broccoli mixture evenly into each muffin slot
  6. Sprinkle some cheese on top
  7. Poor the egg mixture over the sausage and broccoli mix.
  8. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top - as little or as much as you like.
  9. Bake 15-20 minutes.