Leslie Helen

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Breakfast

How to Make Pumpkin Spice French Toast

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Now that my daughter started school, our weekday mornings look a bit different. They are more rushed and breakfast needs to be quick. But on weekends, holidays, and vacations we take breakfast seriously and tend to go all out. It’s an opportunity for us to sit and have breakfast together. We love french toast. I tend to make up a batch of this recipe on Sundays and keep a few extras in the fridge for a quick breakfast during the week – perfect for those rushed school mornings. This recipe is extra special in the fall because it has the flavour of pumpkin spice. Keep reading for the full pumpkin spice french toast recipe.

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stacked french toast with whip cream

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Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice

I love pumpkin spice mix. It is a staple in my pantry. I make my own and use it in pies, drinks, muffins, loaves of bread, pancakes, and of course French Toast. You can basically use it in most recipes that call for cinnamon. I share my recipe for how I make Pumpkin Spice Mix on the blog. Check it out and use it in this recipe.

What kind of bread works best for French Toast?

In my opinion, it’s best to use bread that has a soft texture and is a few days old. This combination will soak up the egg the best. But really most types of plain bread without a lot of flavour will work, use what you have on hand.

  • White or whole wheat sandwich bread
  • Soft egg bread (challah)
  • White French bread
French toast with maple syrup and icing sugar

Recommended Tools

  • Cast iron pan – seasoned – for that perfect golden brown texture
  • Whisk – best for mising and getting out clumps from the spice mix

Ingredients:

eggs, pumpkin spice, vanilla and milk
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1-2 tbsp pumpkin spice mix (or 1 tbsp cinnamon)
  • 8-10 slices of bread
  • 2 tsp coconut oil to grease the pan

Steps:

  1. Add the eggs, milk, vanilla, and pumpkin spice mix to a bowl. Whisk until completely mixed, and there are no clumps.
whisking eggs in a bowl
  1. Melt some coconut oil in the cast-iron pan over medium heat.
  2. Dip both sides of bread into egg mixture, making sure to completely coat all sides of the bread.
  3. Place in the heated pan, and cook until golden brown. Flip over and cook until golden brown.
golden brown french toast in a cast-iron pan
  1. Set aside. I place them in a toaster oven on the warm setting so they stay warm until ready to serve.
  2. Repeat until all mixture is finished.
2 slices of French toast on a spatula

Finishing Touches

Best to serve warm with any combination of the following finishing touches.

  • 100% pure Canadian maple syrup
  • Pad of butter
  • Dusting of icing sugar
  • Coconut whip cream (or regular)
  • Fresh berries
pouring maple syrup over French toast
stacked french toast with whip cream

Pumpkin Spice French Toast

The perfect breakfast meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Cast iron pan
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

  • 5 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1-2 tbsp pumpkin spice mix (or 1 tbsp cinnamon)
  • 8-10 slices of bread
  • 2 tsp coconut oil to grease the pan

Instructions
 

  • Add the eggs, milk, vanilla, and pumpkin spice mix to a bowl. Whisk until completely mixed, and there are no clumps.
  • Melt some coconut oil in the cast-iron pan over medium heat.
  • Dip both sides of bread into egg mixture, making sure to completely coat all sides of the bread.
  • Place in the heated pan, and cook until golden brown. Flip over and cook until golden brown.
  • Set aside. I place them in a toaster oven on the warm setting so they stay warm until ready to serve.
  • Repeat until all mixture is finished.
  • Serve warm with 100% pure Canadian maple syrup, a dusting of icing sugar, and/or some coconut whip cream.

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French toast pin

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How to Make a Simple Apple Oatmeal Bake | Breakfast Recipe

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This simple apple oatmeal bake recipe is super easy to make and is a great way to use up apples that are starting to go bad, which is also good for the environment!

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apple oatmeal bake on a spoon

This was a very busy week for my family. Both my husband and I had an exceptionally busy work week at our 9-5 gigs and it was also the first week of school. My not-so-little baby is in Junior Kindergarten! Where has the time gone? When I prepped for the week I bought a big bag of apples and a sack of avocados, thinking it would be nice to have some fresh fruit and avocados with our meals. I blinked and it was Saturday and the apples were well not really in a state to be eaten as is. I don’t feel good about wasting food so I turned the apples into an apple oatmeal bake, it’s the perfect dessert for breakfast kind of treat.

red ambrosia apples on a counter

What you will need to make apple oatmeal bake?

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Tools:

  • Baking dish or round pie plate. I recommend using a ceramic baking dish, because they generally are easier to clean over glass or metal bakeware. I have a set of ceramic bakeware from Lagostina and I love them.
  • Glass mixing bowl
  • Spatula. My favourite one that I use all the time came as part of this set.
  • Potato peeler
  • Apple slicer

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups of oatmeal
  • 1 tbsp splenda brown sugar (or 2 tbsp if using regular brown sugar)
  • 1/2 tbsp of cinnamon
  • 1 tsp of nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
  • 6 medium apples (about 4 cups) – Ambrosia, Honeycrisp or Pink Lady varieties are best, but whatever yu have on hand will work too.
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
cubed apples, oats, spices, sugar and coconut oil displayed on a counter top
Ingredients for Simple Apple Oatmeal Bake

Steps:

  1. Preheat over to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a glass mixing bowl, add the oatmeal, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted coconut oil. Mix until the mixture is well coated with the oil and is crumbly in nature.

Tip: melt the coconut oil in the baking dish. Pour the melted coconut oil into the mixing bowl and using a silicone pastry brush, coat the entire baking dish with the leftover oil.

coconut oil in a baking dish
  1. Peel the apples and cut into cubes. Add to a glass mixing bowl.
peeler and apple slicer with sliced apples
Sliced apples
  1. Add 100% pure mapple syrup and stir until evenly coated.
  2. Place the maple-covered apples into the greased baking dish.
cubed apples in a baking dish
Maple-covered apples in a baking dish
  1. Cover the apples with the oatmeal mixture, making sure to spread evenly.
apple oatmeal bake
  1. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the apples are tender and the oatmeal has browned.
cooked apple oatmeal bake
  1. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before spooning into bowls. The bottom of the bake will contain the juices from the apples and maple. Stir to mix in with the Oatmeal.
  2. Enjoy with some fresh berries and coconut whipped cream!
apple oatmeal bake with berries and whip cream
apple oatmeal bake on a spoon

Apple Oatmeal Bake

This simple apple oatmeal bake recipe is super easy to make and is a great way to use up apples that are starting to go bad.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Apple slicer
  • Mixing bowls

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups oatmeal
  • 1 tbsp splenda brown sugar 2 tbsp if using regular brown sugar
  • 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 6 medium apples Ambrosia, Honeycrisp or Pink Lady
  • 1/3 cup 100% pure maple syrup

Instructions
 

  • Preheat over to 350 degrees F.
  • In a glass mixing bowl, add the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted coconut oil. Mix until the mixture is well coated with the oil and is crumbly in nature.
    Tip: melt the coconut oil in the baking dish. Pour the melted coconut oil into the mixing bowl and using a silicone pastry brush, coat the entire baking dish with the leftover oil.
  • Peel the apples and cut them into cubes. Place the cut apples into a glass mixing bowl.
  • Add the 100% pure maple syrup and stir until evenly coated.
  • Pour the maple-covered apples into the greased baking dish, and top them with the crumble mixture.
  • Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the apples are tender and the crumble lightly browned.
  • Let sit for 10 minutes. Enjoy with some fresh berries and coconut whipped cream!
Keyword apple crumble, apples

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How to Make Sous Vide Egg Bites at Home

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These sous vide egg bites are just like the kind you would find in a trendy coffee shop that sells for roughly $6 for 2 egg bites. You can make them at home for much less while not compromising on great taste! These are a great low-carb, high-protein option for a quick breakfast or pair with a salad and have for lunch.

egg bites on a plate beside a cup of coffee
Sous Vide Egg Bites
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This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

What is Sous Vide?

Sous vide is a French cooking technique where food is vacuum-sealed in a cooking pouch and cooked in a water bath. The technique places emphasis on precise temperature control in cooking the food, rather than the time it takes the food to cook. The technique has gained popularity with the release of the Sous Vide wand to help with the process. I’ve linked to one here that has a high rating on amazon so you have an idea of what I’m talking about.

To be honest, I still don’t fully understand the hype, however, I do use the water bath technique for a few staple recipes in my tool kit. Adopting this part of the sous vide process is a simple alternative and works well if you are cooking in your oven. I use it for some bread recipes and when making cheesecake and I will use it in today’s recipe for Egg Bites.

Tips for making the perfect Egg Bites

  1. Cook the Egg Bites in a water bath. Place an oven safe deep casserole or pie plate filled with about 1 inch of water on the lower rack of the oven before preheating. Make sure you do this step before turning on the oven to avoid the risk of your dish cracking.
  2. Using a high-powered blender adds tiny air bubbles to the eggs which result in fluffier egg bites.
  3. Change up the flavour according to your tast by using your favourite cheeses and choice of deli meats. I love using old cheddar or smoked cheeses.

Recommended Tools:

Ingredients for Egg Bites

  • 10 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup of sour cream
  • 1 cup of shredded cheese of choice (I love using smoked gouda or old cheddar)
  • 1/2 tsp each salt and black pepper
  • 4 slices of bacon, cooked
  • 8 slices of coldcut of choice (I used 4 slices ham and 4 slices turkey)
  • 1 tbsp of nutritional yeast (optional)
cold cut meat, gouda cheese brick, oli, salt and pepper, sour cream and eggs

Instructions for Egg Bites

  1. Make sure to cook the bacon before starting this recipe.
  2. Set up a water bath by filling an oven-safe dish with 1-inch deep water. Place on the lower rack of the oven. This will create a humid environment to allow the eggs to cook evenly and prevent them from drying out.
  3. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
  4. Grease a muffin pan by adding the oil to one muffin pocket and spreading it to remaining pockets using a food brush. Make sure to coat each pocket well.
  5. Add the eggs, sour cream, shredded cheese, salt, pepper and nutritional yeast (if using) to a blender.
egg and cheese in a blender
  1. Blend on highest speed for 30 seconds. The eggs should be smooth and frothy.
eggs blended in a blender
  1. Pour the egg mixture evenly into each of the muffin pockets.
pouring blended eggs into a muffin tin
  1. Add the chopped cooked bacon and pieces of cold cuts to each of the egg-filled muffin pockets.
  2. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
uncooked eggs in a muffin tin with green onions and chopped up meat
  1. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes.
cooked eggs in a muffin tin with green onions and chopped meat
  1. Using a spoon, remove the egg bites from the muffin tray and play on a plate or in a food storage container.
  2. Can be stored in the fridge for 3 days or frozen for 2-3 months.
egg bites on a black platter

Sous Vide Egg Bites

Just like the fancy sous vide egg bites you would find in a fancy, high-end coffee shop, but for a fraction of the cost. These are light in texture and deliciously full of protein.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Breakfast, Lunch

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Muffin pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp oil (to grease the muffin pan) either olive or avocado work well
  • 10 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheese of choice I use smoked gouda or old cheddar
  • 1/2 tsp each salt and black pepper
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
  • 4 slices cooked bacon
  • 8 slices of coldcut of choice I use 4 ham, 4 turkey

Instructions
 

  • Make sure to cook the bacon before starting this recipe.
  • Set p a water bath by filling an oven-safe dish with 1-inch deep water. Place on the lower rack of the oven. This will create a humid environment to allow the eggs to cook evenly and prevent them from drying out.
  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
  • Grease a muffin pan by adding the oil to one muffin pocket and spreading to remaining pockets using a food brush. Make sure to coat each pocket well.
  • Add the eggs, sour cream, shredded cheese, salt, pepper and nutritional yeast (if using) to a blender and blend on highest speed for 30 seconds. The eggs should be smooth and frothy.
  • Pour the egg mixture evenly into each of the muffin pockets.
  • Add the chopped cooked bacon and pieces of cold cuts to each of the egg-filled muffin pockets.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Using a spoon, remove the egg bites from the muffin tray and play on a plate or in a food storage container.
  • Can be stored in the fridge for 3 days or frozen for 2-3 months.

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egg bites pin

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How to Make Skillet Hash & Eggs

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This Skillet Hash & Eggs is a great recipe to use up your leftovers, but it is also easy enough to make from scratch. Either way, the potatoes, bacon, and eggs create a hearty, tasty meal perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

hash and eggs on a white plate

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Why You’ll love this Skillet Hash & Egg Recipe?

This is a great recipe to keep in your “what to do with leftovers” tool kit. We have roasted potatoes as a side dish at least weekly, and we always make sure to make more than we need for that meal. Roasted potatoes are great to keep in the fridge and use when you need food ready for those busy days.

This recipe is so versatile that you probably have the ingredients already in your fridge or pantry, so there is no need to run to the store. The other night we had grilled lamb and roasted potatoes for dinner. We used the leftover lamb and potatoes to make this skillet hash and eggs and it was the one we’ve made yet!

Skillet Recipe Breakdown

In my opinion, the best Skillets consist of the following components:

Potatoes: Roasted leftover potatoes work really well but if you don’t have any made, don’t worry, it’s easy enough to fry some up. We usually get red potatoes If you are following a lower-carb diet, try swapping potatoes for chopped cauliflower (just keep in mind cauliflower doesn’t need as much time to cook).

man wearing a watch chopping potatoes on a cutting board

Eggs: So many options, crack them right on top of the hash and bake, pour whisked eggs into the hash, and scramble or fry them to your liking in a separate pan and slide them on top of the cooked hash.

Meat: My family loves bacon. We buy in bulk and cook it often. Cook bacon first and halfway through cooking start adding in the other cooked ingredients. If you have other leftover meat, chop it up and throw it in!

cut up lamb on a cutting board with a knife

Veg: Chop an onion and cook with the bacon. If you like tomatoes, chop some up and throw them in.

Dairy: Sprinkle some shredded cheese over top about a minute before the skillet is done cooking for some additional flavour and gooey texture.

Recommended Tools

skillet with potatoes, eggs, bacon in the oven

Skillet Hash & Eggs

This hearty and tasty meal is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Cast iron skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices bacon, thinly sliced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cups pototoes, cooked, chopped in small pieces
  • 1 cup leftover meat, chopped in small pieces
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese of choice (optional)
  • 4-6 eggs

Instructions
 

The Hash

  • Heat a cast iron skillet on medium. Add the bacon and onions. Cook for a few minutes until onions become translucent.
  • Add in cooked potatoes and cooked meat. Stir. Cook until heated through.

The Eggs

  • Option 1: Cook eggs to your liking in a separate pan. Serve over hash, finish off with a sprinkling of cheese.
  • Option 2: Whisk the eggs together and pour over hash and scramble until eggs are cooked.
  • Option 3: Crack eggs over top of the hash (still in the cast iron skillet) and place the entire skillet in the oven at 400°F until eggs are cooked to your liking.

The Finale

  • Best served right away!
Keyword Bacon, Eggs, Hash, Potato, Skillet Meal
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eggs with potato hash, lamb, and bacon in a cast iron skillet

How to Make Sourdough Pizza Crust

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In this post I share my go-to Sourdough Pizza Crust recipe and the favourite ways my family like to top it! It’s the easiest pizza dough you will ever make and the possibilities are endless.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

2 sourdough pizza crusts in cast iron pans

Sourdough Pizza Crust Ingredient List

  • Sourdough starter
  • Oil
  • Salt & Pepper to taste

That’s it – see I wasn’t lying when I said this is going to be the easiest pizza crust you’ve ever made!

Don’t worry if you don’t have a sourdough starter yet – I have a step-by-step guide on how to make one. I’ll see you back here in 7 days!

How to Start a Sourdough Starter From Scratch

Steps for Making Sourdough Pizza Crust

Tools:
Ingredients:
  • 1-2 tbsp Oil (either olive or avocado works well)
  • Roughly 2-3 ladle size portions of sourdough starter (fed between 4-12 hours before using)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Steps:
  1. Place cast iron pans in oven. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Once oven is preheated, remove pans from oven. Drizzle with oil (olive or avocado works well).
  3. Add 2-3 ladles of the fed sourdough starter to the hot oiled pan. The dough will start to cook immediately.
  4. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  5. Place pans with dough back in oven.
  6. Cook for 15 minutes or until crust is golden brown and doesn’t stick to pan. Remove from oven.
  7. To turn your perfect sourdough pizza crust into pizza, add your favourite toppings.
  8. Place back in oven for 10 minutes or until ingredients are heated through and cheese is melted.

Alternate Steps to Making Sourdough Pizza Crust if using Bacon as a Pizza Topping:

If you are planning to use bacon as a pizza topping – I highly recommend following these steps when making your sourdough pizza crust.

Steps:
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Cook 2-4 bacon slices in the same cast iron pan that you will use to cook the pizza crust.
  3. Remove bacon from pan. Set aside.
  4. Add 2-3 ladles of the fed sourdough starter to the hot pan with the bacon grease. The dough will start to cook immediately.
  5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  6. Place pans with dough back in oven.
  7. Cook for 15 minutes or until crust is golden brown and doesn’t stick to pan. Remove from oven.
  8. To turn your perfect sourdough pizza crust into pizza, add your favourite toppings.
  9. Place back in oven for 10 minutes or until ingredients are heated through and cheese is melted.

6 Favourite Pizza Topping Combinations

I will often use whatever leftovers are in my fridge. Since introducing this recipe into our arsenal we have been able to reduce our leftover food waste – which feels good!

The possibilities are really endless, but I wanted to share with you my family’s 6 favourite ways we top our sourdough pizza crust.

#1 – Breakfast Pizza

Leftover pizza has always been a favourite to eat the next morning for breakfast, so why not make a dedicated breakfast pizza?

pizza with 2 eggs with bacon and cheese
  • Follow the Alternate Steps to making the sourdough pizza crust.
  • Top with shredded cheese, chopped bacon, chopped spring onions.
  • Crack 4 eggs over pizza. I like my eggs more well done than my husband so I break the yolk of my eggs before baking which allows the eggs to cook slightly faster than the others.
  • Carefully return to oven and cook for 12 minutes or until eggs are set to your liking.

#2 – Gourmet Meat Lovers

pizza ingredients laid out on a board
  • Use tomato paste as the base
  • Top with smoked shredded cheese, bacon, mushrooms, sliced cherry tomatoes and ground chicken
  • Finish it off with a few fresh sprigs of thyme
gourmet bbq sourdough pizza

#3 – Gourmet Smokey

  • Use Smokey BBQ sauce as the base
  • Top with smoked shredded cheese, sautéed onions, bacon, mushrooms, garlic and ground chicken
  • Finish it off with a few fresh sprigs of thyme

#4 – Hawaiian

pizza with ham and pineapple
  • Use tomato paste as the base.
  • Top with shredded cheese, cooked bacon, ham and pineapple.

#5 – Not your Typical Pepperoni Pizza

  • Use tomato paste as the base. Add dried basil and garlic.
  • Top with shredded cheese, pepperoni or salami, chopped mushrooms.
  • Top with fresh arugula

#6 – Pesto Chicken

  • Use pesto as the base.
  • Top with shredded cheese, sliced cherry tomatoes and cooked chicken.

Save it for later!

sourdough pizza crust
Step by step guide to making pizza using your sourdough starter.

Let us know what your favourite pizza toppings are in the comments below.

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