The Sunday night routine...

So... A 7:00 work arrival doesn't leave much time to prepare a hearty breakfast... What does one do? Enter: pre-made steel cut oats...

What I do is, prepare these wonderful individual servings of steel cut oatmeal. I buy the organic ones for about a buck a pound at my grocery store.  Simply cook with a 3:1 ratio of water to oats. I add a dash of salt and about a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the water and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

A work-weeks worth of healthy breakfasts for around $2

When the oats are done, I add a handful each of flax seed and sliced blanched almonds and stir together. Top each serving with a dash of cinnamon, a little brown sugar and dried fruit. These are cranberry and golden raisins. Delicious.

They keep fresh and retain flavor as well as texture for about a week in the fridge. I make five every Sunday and am good on breakfast until Friday.

Cost: Around $2 for 5 servings

Time: 40 minutes start to finish

Difficulty: 1

Sunday Morning Waffles!

Been wanting waffles for a while so I made these:

Belgian waffles with lemon curd, powdered sugar, almonds and cranberries

Waffle batter is pretty simple.  Eggs, flour, baking powder (and/or soda), milk and oil.  Flavor with a dash or two of vanilla and some cinnamon and ground ginger for that pop.  We all top them differently at my house, from Maple syrup to fresh fruits to simple powdered sugar.  I am trying to find a local place to buy Belgian pearl sugar, but it's pretty rare stuff, and I just can't see paying $5+ shipping for a 1/2lb box online.  Let me know if you have it near you and would be willing to send a box.

Cost: $6 including 1/2lb bacon

Time: 30 minutes or so, with constant waffle making

Difficulty: 3