I heard on the news today that we’ve received the same amount of snow already this winter that we would normally receive in an entire season!

The one good thing about snowy days is that I get in the mood to bake and cook, so this winter has provided me with plenty of opportunities to do just that!  Today – as local schools are closed again and all community activities are being cancelled – I thought it would be fitting to share one of my favorite recipes to make when the snow starts piling up.

Making a hearty meal and then spending time with my family, watching a good movie or playing games, helps brighten my spirits.  If we’re really lucky, it might get warm enough for us to hit the nearby sledding hill.

I hope you enjoy these recipes and some quality family time, too.

Thick and Hearty Chili

Ingredients:

2 lb. ground beef, browned

2, 15-oz. cans chili beans

2, 15-oz. cans tomato sauce

2, 15-oz. cans diced tomatoes

Onion

3 T. chili powder

Tabasco to taste

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients in a slow cooker before your day begins, and it’s ready to eat at supper time!

Buttery Corn Bread

Ingredients:

2/3 cup butter or margarine softened (I use butter)

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 2/3 cup milk

2 1/3 cup all purpose flour

1 cup cornmeal

4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Cream butter and sugar, Combine eggs, and milk. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with egg mixture.

Pour into a greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 22-27 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cut into squares; serve warm.

Honey Butter

Ingredients:

¾ c. butter, softened

¼ c. honey

Directions:

Cream butter and honey.

Here we are mid-February and with this recent taste of warm weather, I am ready for Spring!  Here’s a recipe that I love to make for my family.  The fresh taste of fruit and the warm gooey french toast is the perfect start to your day!

Blueberry French Toast

12 slices day-old bread, crusts removed
2 (8oz) packages cream cheese
1 c. blueberries (frozen or fresh)
12 eggs
2 c. milk
1/3 c. maple syrup or honey

Sauce:
1 c. sugar
2 T. cornstarch
1 c. water
1 c. blueberries
1 T. Margarine

Cut 6 slices of bread into 1″ cubes. Place in 9X13 baking dish. Cut cream cheese into 1″ cubes and place over bread. Top with 1c. berries and 6 slices of bread.

In large bowl, beat eggs. Add milk and syrup or honey. Mix well. Pour over bread. Cover and chill 8 hours or overnight.

Remove from fridge 30 min before baking. Bake covered for 30 min. Uncover and bake another 25-30 min or until bread is golden brown. Top with sauce.

Sauce:
Combine sugar, cornstarch and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil three minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, and stir for 8-10 min. Stir in margarine until melted.

This recipe serves 6-8 people.

Have a favorite breakfast recipe of your own?  Share it with us in the comment box below!

Every Christmas morning I have a tradition in my family of making this Orange Toast breakfast. Great orange taste, beautiful color, and a warm breakfast I love sharing with my family.

Christmas Morning Orange Toast

Toast:
1 egg
1/4 c. fresh orange juice
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. vanilla
3 tsp. finely grated orange zest
1/4 c. sugar
3 slices bread
butter or margarine
2 oranges, seeded and sliced or sectioned
confectioner’s sugar

Golden Orange Sauce:
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. fresh orange juice
2 tsp. grated orange zest

For toast, beat egg lightly in a mixing bowl. Add orange juice, lemon juice, vanilla, orange zest and sugar. Mix well. Cut bread slices in half. Dip in egg mixture, coating both sides. Saute bread in butter as needed on both sides until golden brown.

For sauce, combine cornstarch, sugar, salt, orange juice and zest in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat; pour into pitcher.

To serve, arrange orange slices on each slice of toast. Sprinkle each slice lightly with confectioner’s sugar. Pass sauce. Serves 2-3.

I love to make my kids a big warm breakfast on the weekends.  This recipe for “Baked Apple French Toast”  is one of my favorites. The smell of the baking apples and cinnamon fills the house. It’s great to be able to enjoy breakfast together as a family before we go running off to our weekend activities with the kids.

Baked Apple French Toast

20 slices French Bread (1″ thick)
1 can (21 oz.) apple pie filling
8 eggs
2 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

Topping:
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. cold butter, cubed
1 c. chopped pecans
2 tbsp. corn syrup

Arrange 10 slices of bread in a greased 9×13x2 baking dish. Spread with pie filling, top with remaining bread.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking.

Meanwhile, place brown sugar in a small bowl. Cut in butter until resembles course crumbs. Stir in pecans and corn syrup. Sprinkle over French toast. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Do you have great breakfast ideas that are your family favorites?  I’d love to hear about them and get some new ideas for my weekend breakfasts.  Leave your recipe or story in the comment box below or email them to laura@lathamhybrids.com.