Berry Breakfast Flatbreads

Up your breakfast game with these scrumptious Berry Breakfast Flatbreads! A light and fluffy flatbread is topped with sweet cinnamon cream cheese, a beautiful fresh berry mixture, then dusted with just a bit of powdered sugar. 

There's deliciousness in every bite!

I've been visiting my local farmers market quite regularly lately and am loving all the beautiful produce coming in. From bright green asparagus to colorful zucchini and of course, gorgeous fruit, it's like paradise to me. I literally could spend hours walking through and looking at every single thing. Just ask my kids, they'll tell you exactly how long I'm there.

One of my absolute favorite things right now is fresh berries. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, I love them all. And luckily, so do my kids! Whether I'm making a fruit salad or baking them into a scrumptious dessert, I'm always happy to have berries around. 

Getting Inspired at Food Wine Conference 2016 #FWCon

If you follow me on on social media at all, then you know I was at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando a couple of weeks ago for the Food Wine Conference. I know you know this because I was blowing up your feed with pictures of food, friends, and fun! This was my first year attending the conference and I was lucky enough to also be a Brand Ambassador for Certified Angus Beef. 

Words can't express how much I loved this conference. I've only been to a few food blogging conferences, so going to Food Wine was eye opening. It was amazing to connect in person with bloggers that I'd only met online, meet new bloggers, and learn a wealth of information about how to grow my blogging business. And, of course, there was food. The food was glorious my friends! And there was so much of it. And we had wine, too! We didn't go hungry, or thirsty, that's for sure.

Blueberry Slab Pie #SundaySupper

This super simple Blueberry Slab Pie is the perfect dessert to feed a crowd. Grab a fork and lets dig in!

Warm weather has finally arrived in Michigan and it feels like summer. Although it's not technically summer yet, Memorial Day is the kick off to the season in my house. Now starts the BBQ's, potlucks, pool parties and family reunions. Some of my favorite summer events.

With those parties comes food, which means we're usually bringing a dish along with us when we visit family and friends. There are so many delicious dishes to bring, but of course I love to bring dessert. And this simple Blueberry Slab Pie is my new favorite.

Breakfast Chilaquiles with Eggs

For those of you that like savory breakfast dishes, these chilaquiles are for you! This hearty and delicious Mexican dish combines homemade tortilla chips, salsa verde, cheese, eggs and fun toppings to make one mouthwatering breakfast or brunch!

You all know how much I love breakfast. Especially weekend breakfast, when I have more time to make something special for my family. It's also a known fact that I'm obsessed with Mexican food. I literally could eat it every night for dinner. Enchiladas, burritos, nachos, I love it all!

With that being said, I decided to combine two of my favorite things into one delicious dish. A Mexican breakfast, you ask? Yes my friends. An amazing Mexican breakfast made with homemade tortilla chips, salsa verde, cheese, and eggs. And of course some other toppings, but you get where this is going. 

These Breakfast Chiliquiles with Eggs are so flavorful, it's like a party in your mouth. I mean it! They are seriously THAT good. And they're quite simple to make, too! 

You can use jarred salsa verde, or homemade, whatever is easiest for you. I have a salsa verde recipe that I love to make and store in the frig for dishes like this, or enchiladas, or even just to go along with tortilla chips. Either way, this dish is delish!

Breakfast Chilaquiles with Eggs

Author: Sarah Bates | The Chef Next Door

Serves 4

Print this recipe

Ingredients:

12 corn tortillas, cut into 8 wedges

Vegetable oil

Salt

2 cups salsa verde (store bought or homemade)

Queso fresco cheese

Finely chopped red onion

Finely chopped cilantro

4 eggs

To a large skillet, add about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil and turn the heat to medium high. When the oil is hot, add the tortillas in batches and fry until golden brown. Using a spider, or a slotted metal spoon, remove the tortillas to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet so that the oil can drip off. Sprinkle with salt. 

Strain off any tortilla bits from the pan, then add the salsa. Let it cook until it's nice and hot, then add all of the fried tortillas to the pan. Carefully stir the tortillas into the sauce, making sure they are all well coated. Let them cook for a few minutes, then remove from the heat and keep warm. 

Cook the eggs, either fried or sunny side up. In four individual serving bowls, place a good amount of the tortillas and salsa verde. Top the tortillas with a heavy sprinkle of the queso fresco cheese, then top with an egg. Sprinkle each dish with a bit of the chopped onion and cilantro, then serve.

Bon Appétit!

I'm honored to be a Milk Means More Ambassador and I thank them for sponsoring this post! I was compensated for developing a "Let's Do Brunch" recipe, however all opinions, as always, are my own. 

The United Dairy Industry of Michigan, branded as Milk Means More, is the umbrella organization for the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council of Michigan. Their goal is to promote Michigan’s locally produced dairy products and reconnect consumers with the people behind their food. For more great dairy recipes, follow Milk Means More on Pinterest. To learn more about nutrition, animal care/well-being and on-farm practices related to dairy products and the dairy industry, you may want to follow Milk Means More on Facebook. You can also follow them on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube!

SLATE Orlando Restaurant Review

 If you're planning a trip to Orlando, Florida anytime soon, be sure to add SLATE Restaurant to your must visit list! 

It's a classic modern American restaurant boasting wood grilled cuisine and open air dining in the heart of the Dr. Phillips Neighborhood. 

Just two short weeks ago I landed in sunny Orlando, Florida for the Food Wine Conference. Arriving a day ahead of the event, I was excited to spend time with some of my blogger friends. Face to face time, rather than screen time, which was simply amazing. You see, in the blogging world I have a lot of friends that I've grown quite close to but never had the opportunity to meet in person. We are like penpals in a way. So when I had the opportunity to meet up with some of them pre-conference for dinner, I jumped at the chance.

Shelby from Grumpy’s Honeybunch, Renee from Renee’s Kitchen Adventures, and Michele from Flavor Mosaic and I all headed to SLATE Orlando on Thursday for dinner. The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. From the beautiful entrance to the restaurant to the open kitchen and stunning bar, it had such a warm and comforting feel to it.

Salted Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 

All opinions are mine alone. #BiteSizedBitsOfJoy #CollectiveBias

The combination of shortbread, peanut butter, pecans, and salt make these simple bars a hit with kids and 

adults alike! And fair warning, you may want to make a double batch because they will be gone in no time!

How many people here grew up eating Keebler® cookies? *Raises hand really high* Come on now, don't be shy! It seems like we always had Vanilla Wafers around. Whether it was just to snack on, or in my mom's banana cream pudding, those were one of my favorites. Keebler® Fudge Shoppe® cookies were another favorite. I could eat the Fudge Stripes™ and Deluxe Grahams all day long! Of course since I grew up eating this gems I had to pass that tradition on to my kids, and I know they love Keebler® cookies just as much as I do.

Grilled Pineapple with Vanilla Sorbet #SundaySupper

This simple grilled pineapple with homemade vanilla sorbet is not only delicious, but it's light and refreshing, too. 

With just a few easy ingredients, you can impress your family and friends with this dessert all summer long!

I don't know about you, but I've been grilling up a storm lately! My grill has been getting a great workout. From lots of burgers to steaks and chicken, I've been enjoying the beautiful spring weather and the opportunity to be outside on my deck. Grilling is my go-to cooking method in the summer because it's so darn easy. You can grill your proteins, veggies, and even desserts, which means less clean up in the kitchen! I don't know about you, but I'm all for that.

Speaking of desserts, have you grilled dessert before? There are actually many options, but one of the easiest for me is grilling fruit. I especially love grilling pineapple, as it brings out the sweetness and juiciness of the fruit. And those grill marks? Those are the most beautiful things I've ever seen on a piece of fruit. Simply stunning.

Rise & Shine Coffee Cake Muffins

The classic coffee cake that we all know and love is transformed into a portable treat! 

Not only are these muffins beautiful and delicious, but they're healthy too!

You know I love me some muffins. Sweet muffins, savory muffins, breakfast muffins, dinner muffins. I'll have them all! My favorite way to eat them is with a piping hot cup of coffee, so it's no surprise that I eat them most often in the morning. Or as an afternoon snack. I do like coffee and muffins in the afternoon, too. Like high tea, but not quite as fancy. 

Another one of my favorite things is coconut oil. It's such an amazing product, with tons of health benefits, and is so versatile. I use coconut oil in my baked goods in place of butter, shortening, and other oils. Obviously it depends on the recipe if it's a good swap, but in most cases when I bake I like to use it. Take these Rise & Shine Coffee Cake Muffins for example. They are made with delicious Barlean's Virgin Organic Coconut Oil. The oil gives the muffins the slightest coconut flavor, and keeps them nice and tender.

Citrus Sweet Tea and my favorite way to serve it all Summer!

My favorite iced tea gets a flavor boost with the addition of fresh citrus fruits! This tea is 

slightly sweet, fruity, and oh so delicious. Perfect on a warm summer day!

Everyone who knows me well knows that I'm an iced tea addict. Not just any tea either, but sweet tea. My family is from the south so I come by my love for sweet tea naturally. I grew up drinking it with my mom and grandma, and have loved it ever since.

During the warmer months I like to make sun tea, but living in Michigan it's hard to make it in the winter. I recently had the opportunity to try out Epoca's Primula Pitcher and let me just say, I love it! It comes with three different inserts - one for steeping the tea, one for infusing flavor, and a chill core that keeps your beverages cold for hours! The pitcher isn't just for tea either. You can make flavored waters, lemonade, and even cocktails! The options are endless.

Asparagus, Hazelnuts, and Mint with Quinoa and Lemon Vinaigrette #WeekdaySupper

This fresh and delicious dish combines asparagus with quinoa, mint, and hazelnuts, and is topped with a 

light lemon vinaigrette. It makes a perfect meal this time of year!

Spring has finally sprung and I've really been enjoying the beautiful weather we're having in Michigan. With this weather starts farmers market season, which I am so excited about! I love strolling through the market on a Saturday morning and picking up fresh vegetables from local growers to bring home to my family. 

Speaking of fresh veggies, I'm really excited to share this amazing Asparagus, Hazelnuts, and Mint with Quinoa and Lemon Vinaigrette recipe from Cara Mangini's new cookbook, The Vegetable Butcher!  Let me start off by saying it is a stunning and inspiring cookbook. Cara shows us in step-by-step photos how to break down a butternut squash, cut a cauliflower into steaks, turn carrots into coins and parsnips into matchsticks, and so much more. There are more than 150 simple recipes that put vegetables front and center, from this dish, to Kohlrabi Carpaccio, to a Parsnip-Ginger Layer Cake for dessert. It’s everything you need to know to make extraordinary vegetable dishes!

Cajun Shrimp Capellini

This Cajun Shrimp Capellini is beautiful, flavorful, and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare! 

Seasoned shrimp are tossed in a simple tomato cream sauce and served over pasta. 

It's the perfect weeknight meal for the family!

Although I love seafood, I didn't start cooking it at home until a few years ago. For some reason I was intimidated and thought I wouldn't cook it properly. No idea why, I guess I was just being a big chicken! One day, when I was really craving scallops, I decided to put aside my insecurities and buy them. I brought them home, prepared them, and you know what? They were delicious! I didn't overcook them. They weren't rubbery and tough. They were actually soft and tender and melted in your mouth. And of course I was kicking myself for not doing that sooner! Lesson learned right there. Don't be afraid, just do it!

Spicy Fudge Brownies #SundaySupper

Sweet and spicy is the ultimate combination. These thick and fudgy brownies are spiced up with 

cinnamon and chipotle powder, which gives them the perfect little kick!

Everyone knows I love my sweets. Especially chocolate. Chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, brownies...I definitely don't discriminate. Something else I like is spicy foods. Not "my lips and mouth are burning" type of spicy, but a little bit of spice. A nice little kick.

This week our #SundaySupper theme is "Spice is Nice and Some Like it Hot," and I couldn't wait to make something sweet and spicy. My first thought was to make a spicy sweet grilled chicken since grilling season is here, but then I decided to make a dessert. With chocolate of course. And then these beautiful Spicy Fudge Brownies were born. 

Cheddar & Sausage Frittata #BrunchWeek

A perfectly cooked frittata is much easier to make than you might think! Especially when it's baked in the oven. 

Sausage, extra sharp cheddar cheese, red bell pepper and kale make this frittata perfect for any meal of the day!

Brunch week is coming to a close, and I have to admit I'm a bit sad! I've had a blast creating new recipes to share with you this week, and I hope you've enjoyed them all. The dishes I've made have been loved by my whole family, and I'm excited that I now have new things to make us on the weekends, or for special occasions.

Although I've loved every single thing I've made, I think this frittata might just be my favorite. It's baked in the oven, so it's super simple to make. The great thing about frittatas is that you can add whatever ingredients you have on hand. Turkey or ham, your favorite veggies, herbs, really the possibilities are endless. Plus, they can be eaten hot from the oven, at room temperature, or even cold. They are extremely versatile!

Spice is Nice and Some Like it Hot! A #SundaySupper Preview

Join the Sunday Supper TasteMakers this Sunday for a huge collection of hot and spicy recipes!

Are you a lover of spices? Do you like hot and spicy foods? Or are you more of a mild fan? I would say I'm just about right in the middle. Maybe edging a little closer to the mild side rather than the hot. I do like foods with a "kick," but I don't like my lips and mouth to be on fire!

I actually love the combination of sweet and spicy. Whether I'm eating a bowl of spicy sweet popcorn or sipping on a chai latte, a little heat is a great contrast to the sweet. In fact, my #SundaySupper contribution is Spicy Fudge Brownies. Don't they look simply irresistible? I can't wait to share the recipe with you! 

Orange Popovers

Crispy on the outside, soft and eggy on the inside, these sweet Orange Popovers are a cinch to make, 

and they're oh so beautiful. 

Popovers, my friends. Popovers are a thing of beauty. You can make them so many different ways. Sweet. Savory. For breakfast. For brunch. Alongside your dinner. And the best part is they are so simple to make. It's amazing how a few ingredients can turn into something so delicious. Not only are they delicious, but they are gorgeous, too. Don't you think your family and friends would be impressed if these beauties were on the table?

I couldn't let #BrunchWeek pass me by without including these decadent treats. They are crispy on the outside and light and eggy in the inside. Is eggy a word? I think so. At least I'm going with it for now. You get what I mean.

Crispy Breakfast Pitas #BrunchWeek

These delicious Crispy Breakfast Pitas are made with fresh ingredients and couldn't be easier to make! 

They'll be the perfect addition to your next brunch menu.

I know what you're thinking....I must have an obsession with sunny side up eggs. Or "squishy middle" eggs as my kids call them. Two recipes that include eggs this week? Yes friends, it's true. I do love me a good "squishy middle" egg. Especially when it's atop a crispy pita bread, melty cheese, and fresh greens. I mean, what's not to love? It truly is the perfect combination.

I used Cabot Tomato Basil Cheddar Cheese for these pitas and I'm so glad I did! It adds such an amazing depth of flavor from the sweet tomatoes and little bit of basil.  I'm not sure you can even see the cheese in these pictures, but I promise it's there! It's just hiding under the greens.

Baked Apple Cinnamon Doughnuts #BrunchWeek

These soft and pillowy doughnuts are baked, not fried, and full of delicious apple goodness. 

Tossed in a cinnamon-sugar mix, each little bite is like a taste of heaven!

Oh how I love a good doughnut. Back in the day, I could throw down on my favorite Long John cream filled doughnuts without batting an eye. Nowadays, my hips tell me that's not such a good idea. Don't get me wrong, I still indulge every once in awhile, just not as often as I used to. 

I've learned that just because I can't eat Long Johns every day, that doesn't mean I can't have doughnuts ever again. I love making doughnuts at home and baking them, which takes a lot of the fat and calories out since I'm not frying them in oil. Plus, my versions don't typically have a cream filling. 

Savory Ham & Cheese Waffles #BrunchWeek

The Savory Ham & Cheese Waffles are crispy on the outside, but soft and chewy on the inside. 

Filled with plenty of ham and gooey cheese, and topped with a sunny side up egg, they make the perfect Brunch dish!

I'm so excited to share with you all that this week I'm participating in #BrunchWeek 2016! Thirty seven bloggers from around the country will showcase their best brunch dishes, from cocktails to cakes, breakfast breads, tarts, and quiche - there is something for everyone! Hosted by Terri from Love and Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures, this is the 4th annual #BrunchWeek. I'm so excited to have you join us this year as we celebrate Brunch and prepare for Mother's Day!

I've got five brand spankin' new brunch recipes to share with you this week. That's right, FIVE! I've got sweet and I've got savory, and I hope you'll love everything as much as my family did. First up, we've got these Savory Ham & Cheese Waffles. Crispy on the inside but soft and chewy on the inside, they are bursting with flavor from the salty ham and intense Cabot White Oak Cheddar Cheese that's tucked inside. Topped with a gorgeous sunny side up egg, it's the brunch dish that will have your family asking for more!

Mama's Favorite Southern Fried Chicken #SundaySupper

This Southern Fried Chicken recipe is my mama's favorite. It's crispy on the outside, extra tender and 

juicy on the inside, and full of flavor. It's the perfect dish for any potluck or picnic!

Having family in the South, I've eaten a lot of southern food over the years. My grandma made the best fried catfish and hush puppies, and she canned like a queen. Her bread and butter pickles were to die for! I learned so much about cooking from her, and of course from my mom, too. 

My mom's favorite food is definitely chicken. Growing up, I'm pretty sure we had some sort of chicken dish for dinner at least 4-5 times a week. My dad and I would tease her because we'd ask what's for dinner, but we already knew the answer! Don't get me wrong, mom is a fantastic cook. This fried chicken recipe is proof of that!