FINYS FABULOUS FOODS AND FINDS

Pizza is not normally something you associate with breakfast however, as I love eggs, bacon and pizza, I decided to make one as a brunch. I don't have a cooked breakfast each morning but sometimes when I do, I like to try something different. I have tried bacon and eggs in many different forms, and they are a combination that never fails to please the pallete, and it can be served either as a savoury meal, or by adding maple syrup which goes wonderfully with these two magic ingredients. When you make these you can use Turkish bread rolls as these make a nice breakfast meal, though you could also use a large ordinary roll, or even a pizza base.  However I think for breakfast I would prefer as I have made it - with the Turkish roll. It is a quick recipe, easy and once again any beginner cannot fail with this one.  For those of you who do not like cooking, this is a quick, easy recipe which does not require a lot of work. You could possibly even use tomato sauce if yo...

HASH BROWNS - most of us like these potato treats, and I often make them for my grandson who stays on weekends. These are unusual hash browns as they have bacon and cheese in them as against a "normal" hash brown which has only potato in it. They are very tasty, and I also made a fried egg with them.  Once again, that versatile ingredient, pure Maple Syrup, would also go well on top of the egg. Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Makes: 2-3 servings Ingredients 2 medium potatoes 1 cup diced bacon 1 cup grated tasty cheese Bit olive oil Method Chop the bacon into small pieces and fry for about 10 minutes, depending on how crisp you like your bacon. While this is cooking, peel your potatoes (you can use them unpeeled as well).  I used a hand grater as it was quicker for two potatoes assembling a machine. Place the grated potato in a clean tea towel and squeeze out all the liquid - I keep a tea towel just for this and other cooking purp...

I like my breakfast and never go without at least cereal to eat first thing in the morning. I also like to have a healthy breakfast, and therefore seek out the lowest sugar content cereals as well as short cut bacon which has almost no fat. I also love semolina and porridge, but as the strawberries are delicious from some shops at the moment, I wanted to incorporate strawberries in with a hot breakfast, and so I decided on rolled oats with strawberries. I never use instant oats as I do not think they taste anywhere near as good as the "real thing", and I also think that cooking oats are nicer on top of the stove as against the quicker way of making them in the microwave. This recipe is both healthy, warming and delicious, and it is so easy to make that even children could make it!  My grandson helped me to make it but he did not want his strawberries cooked, so I made his separate and put the strawberries on top. I also added sliced bananas after I finished cooking ...

Home made jam is far nicer than a bought jam, and this one is not quite as sweet as those you buy in the shops. This recipe is simple to make and it lasts for a year - I have even kept it much longer in the fridge. Preparation Time: 5 minutes (plus overnight soaking) Cooking Time: 60 minutes Makes: approx. 8 jars Ingredients 500g dried apricots, chopped Juice of 3 large lemons 1 ½ kg jam sugar Method Soak apricots in 1.5 litres water, cover and leave overnight if possible. Place a small plate in the fridge to chill, in order to test the jam later.  Heat the apricots and water and add the lemon juice. Bring to the boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the sugar, slowly stirring till it dissolves.  Return to heat and boil rapidly for 20 minutes or till setting point is reached.  You can test this by putting a bit on the cold plate, put it back in the fridge for a few minutes and then it should wrinkle when you ...

I love cooked breakfast, and indeed love to go out for breakfast during the week when there are not a lot of people around. However, especially during the colder months, I have experimented with different cooked breakfast or brunches at home, and this recipe is another great breakfast or brunch idea, which I served with maple syrup. Maple syrup oddly enough, goes very well with a lot of savoury dishes, and you will find I use this natural product (I always buy the pure, more expensive form) regularly in my recipes, both breakfast, dinner and dessert. For this recipe, I actually also tried one with tomato sauce, however I liked the maple syrup better - bacon and maple syrup are a "match made in heaven". Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Makes: 2 servings Ingredients 4-5 pieces shortcut bacon 1 large egg 1 egg yolk 2 crumpets cut in half Knob of butter Maple syrup to taste Method Fry the bacon.  I did this in the microwave between two...

Smoothes - they are a delight to have on a very hot summer's day, and I often substitute them instead of having cereal or the like. They are only limited to your imagination, as there are so many different ones you can make using vegetables, or fruit or even combining both together in one smoothie. This one is a great healthy smoothie to have, perhaps for breakfast, as it is quite filling. However if you are like me, and love your cooked breakfasts, you will have this WITH the breakfast instead of a cup of coffee! The quantities, of course can be altered to make more. Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 0 minutes Makes: 1-2 servings Ingredients 1 medium banana About 75 g frozen pineapple pieces Half a handful of frozen raspberries or mixed berries Bit of milk Method Peel banana. Put all ingredients into a blender. Blend together--I use "Ice Crush" on my blender. Pour into a glass and enjoy.

I learnt this recipe from my mother who was from Europe, and I found that my Australian husband ended up eating so much we kept adding more eggs, he loved it so much. It is much tastier than ordinary eggs with bacon, and tastes delicious - make the bacon as crispy as you want! Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Makes: 1 servings Ingredients 2 eggs Bacon  (I used 2 shortcut pieces) Pepper Toast (optional) Milk or cream Method Cut up the bacon and put in frypan.  I use shortcut bacon as it has little fat, and I do not need oil as my pots are fat free. Meanwhile crack the two eggs in a small bowl, add pepper to taste, and whisk with a fork. Add a bit of milk or cream.  I believe chefs use cream however both are optional. I hate cleaning, so I generally use a splatter guard when cooking things like bacon. Meanwhile toast the bread if required. I don't butter toast, but it tastes much nicer if you do. Cook the eggs, you may...