Garfield...Recipes with Cattitude! Cookbook (Everyday Cookbook Collection) (7 page)

Check out a nearby farmers’ market for fresh fruits & vegetables, homemade baked goods, jams & jellies…everything you need for a farm-style breakfast!

Cream Cheese Danish

Mmm…homemade Danish! Make them a teensy bit healthier by using creamy Neufchâtel cheese with 1/3 less fat.

2 8-oz. tubes refrigerated crescent rolls, divided

8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

3-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 c. sugar

1/4 c. butter, melted

1 c. powdered sugar

1/2 t. vanilla extract

3 T. milk

Unroll one tube of crescent rolls without separating rolls. Place in the bottom of an ungreased 13"x9" baking pan. In a bowl, blend together both packages of cream cheese and sugar; gently spread over rolls. Top with remaining tube of rolls; brush with butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden. In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar, vanilla and milk to a glaze consistency; drizzle over top. Cut into squares; serve warm. Makes 12 to 14 servings.

A big square of red-checked homespun fabric makes a cozy liner for a basket of warm muffins or rolls. You don’t even need to hem the edges…just pull away the threads to create a fringe.

Real Deal Cinnamon Rolls

Yes, you can make bakery-style cinnamon rolls! To test the water’s temperature, sprinkle the heated water on your forearm. If it doesn’t feel either hot or cold, the temperature is just right.

3/4 c. warm water

2 envs. active dry yeast

1/2 c. sugar

1 t. salt

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 c. shortening

1/2 c. plus 2 T. butter, softened and divided

4 c. all-purpose flour

cinnamon-sugar to taste

Heat water until very warm, about 110 to 115 degrees; place in a large bowl. Stir in yeast, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 1/2 cup butter; add flour and mix well. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a tea towel. Place bowl in a warm place and let rise until double in bulk, about 45 minutes. Roll out dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle, 1/4-inch thick. Spread with remaining butter; sprinkle generously with cinnamon-sugar. Roll up dough jelly-roll style; cut into slices one-inch thick. Arrange slices on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden. Makes 12 to 14 servings.

A convenient place to let yeast dough rise is inside your microwave. Heat a mug of water on high for 2 minutes. Then remove the mug, place the covered bowl of dough inside and close the door.

Lazy Cat Pancake

This pancake bakes in the oven…you don’t even need to lift a pancake turner! (No effort required…Garfield likes that.)

2 T. butter, melted

2 eggs, beaten

3-1/4 c. milk

1-2/3 c. all-purpose flour

1 t. salt

Garnish: raspberry jam, whipped cream

Spread butter in the bottom of a 13"x9" baking pan; set aside. Whisk together eggs and milk in a large bowl. Add flour and salt; stir until smooth. Pour batter into pan; do not stir. Bake at 425 degrees for 40 minutes, or until golden and top of pancake puffs up. Pancake will fall when removed from oven. Let cool for 5 minutes. Cut into squares; garnish with jam and whipped cream. Makes 3 to 4 servings.

Cook up some homemade applesauce to spoon over a Lazy Cat Pancake while you’re waiting for it to bake. Peel, core and chop four tart apples. Place them in a saucepan with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until soft. Mash with a potato masher and serve warm.

Nuts & Honey Granola

Enjoy this crunchy granola topped with milk in a bowl, or carry it along in a small zipping bag to munch on anytime.

2 c. long-cooking oats, uncooked

1/2 c. sweetened flaked coconut

1/2 c. slivered almonds

1/2 c. sunflower kernels

1/2 c. honey

1/2 c. oil

1/4 c. dried cranberries

Combine oats, coconut, almonds and sunflower kernels in a bowl; toss to mix and set aside. In a separate bowl, stir together honey and oil. Drizzle honey mixture over oat mixture and stir well. Spread mixture onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until toasty and golden. Remove from oven; cool completely and place in a large bowl. Add cranberries and toss to mix. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 4-1/2 cups.

A super-easy fresh breakfast side dish…fruit kabobs! Just slide strawberries, melon cubes, pineapple chunks, grapes, orange wedges and strawberries onto wooden skewers.

Grab & Go Breakfast Cookies

You know Garfield would never miss his breakfast…why should you? Take along one or two of these satisfying cookies.

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

2 T. frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1 T. orange zest

1-1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 t. baking powder

1/2 c. wheat & barley cereal nuggets

In a large bowl, blend together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, orange juice and orange zest; set aside. In a small bowl, combine flour and baking powder; stir into butter mixture until mixed well. Stir in cereal. Drop by teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are golden. Cool cookies on a wire rack. Makes 1-1/2 dozen.

Grab half a whole-grain bagel for a healthy breakfast. Toast it for extra flavor, then top with reduced-fat cream cheese and sliced strawberries.

Breakfast Banana Split

Who says breakfast has to be serious? Treat your mouth to some fun!

1 banana

1/2 c. favorite crunchy cereal, divided

1/2 c. favorite fruit-flavored yogurt

1/4 c. strawberries, sliced, or blueberries

1/4 c. pineapple cubes

Garnish: maraschino cherry

Cut banana lengthwise down the middle. Place banana in a banana split dish or cereal bowl. Sprinkle with half of the cereal. Spoon yogurt over the banana and cereal. Sprinkle with remaining cereal; top with berries, pineapple and a cherry. Serve immediately. Makes one serving.

Frosty Orange Juice

Tastes like an orange & cream freezer pop!

6-oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate, partially thawed

1 c. milk

1 c. water

1 t. vanilla extract

1/3 c. sugar, or to taste

12 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Process until frothy. Pour into glasses and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Make juice glasses sparkle! Dip the rims in water and roll in coarse sugar before filling with juice.

Sticky Bun Toast Topper

Yum…tastes like a pecan sticky roll and it’s ready in a jiffy!

2 T. brown sugar, packed

1 T. butter

1 T. light corn syrup

1/4 t. cinnamon

4 slices multi-grain or white bread, toasted

1/4 c. chopped pecans, toasted

Combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and cinnamon in a microwave-safe small bowl. Microwave on high setting for one minute. Stir; spread evenly over toast slices. Sprinkle with pecans. Makes 4 servings.