4 Healthy & Cheap Brunch Recipes

Salad for breakfast? Why not? Especially when it’s
loaded with goodies like cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and tart apples. Kale is
hearty and incredibly good for you. To make it a little more tender, massage
the greens with the acidic base of the dressing before adding the oil.
Hard-boiled egg slices can stand in for fried eggs, especially
if you’re going for a brunch-time chef’s salad look.

For the salad:
Olive oil mister or nonstick pan spray
3 slices turkey bacon
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tart apple (such as a Granny Smith), cored and cut into
bite-size pieces
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
4 large eggs
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions:
1. To dress the kale: Whisk the lemon juice, maple syrup,
balsamic vinegar, and salt together in a large bowl. Add the kale ribbons and
use your hands to massage the dressing into the kale. Set aside.

2. To prepare the salad: Mist a medium nonstick skillet with
olive oil or nonstick pan spray and set it over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy
on both sides, 5 to 6 minutes total. Transfer the bacon to a cutting board
(don’t wash the skillet; you’ll use it for the eggs) and chop the slices into
rough pieces.

3. Drizzle the olive oil over the kale and toss to combine.
Add the apples and cheese and toss to combine. Divide among 4 plates and
sprinkle each with the bacon.

4. Crack the eggs into the skillet used for the bacon and
cook them over medium heat to your liking, either sunny-side up or over easy.
Slide an egg over each salad, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve.

Per Serving: Calories 269 / Protein 13g / Dietary Fiber 2g /
Sugars 10g / Total Fat 17g

Baked
Eggs In Tomato Sauce
Serves 4 

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes

Baking eggs in a tomato sauce simplifies the preparation of perfectly
cooked eggs for a crowd. The eggs are nestled in an aromatic sauce that
surrounds them and lets them cook gently to runny-yolk perfection. I like
to serve this with a crusty baguette for dipping and scooping up the
basil-infused sauce. 

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly coat a 2-quart baking dish
with nonstick spray and set aside.

2. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan set over medium heat
for 30 seconds. Add the smashed garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until
golden, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cover the pan and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce
begins to thicken, about 25 minutes. Pour the sauce into the prepared baking
dish. 

3. Use the rounded part of a spoon to make a small well in
the sauce. Break an egg into the well. Repeat, making more wells for the
remaining eggs. Sprinkle the eggs with salt and pepper and bake until almost
set, about 10 minutes. Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle the
basil and mozzarella over the top. 

4. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake until the cheese
is melted and golden brown, about 4 minutes. Spoon into individual bowls
and serve immediately with crusty bread. 

Per serving : Calories 402 / Protein 22g / Dietary Fiber 7g
/ Sugars 2g / Total Fat 18g

Cinnamon Popovers With Cream Cheese
Glaze
Makes
12 popovers

Preparation
Time: 20 Minutes
Cooking
Time: 40 Minutes      

My
girls love all things related to a cinnamon roll, from the swirling and soft
cinnamon-speckled dough to the sticky-sweet icing that slicks the top. One
morning, Charlotte was begging me for cinnamon rolls, but I didn’t have time to
make them, so I decided to put the flavors of a cinnamon roll into my trusty
quick popover recipe. It couldn’t have been easier. These buns satisfy that cinnamon bun itch for kids and adults.

Ingredients:
2
large eggs
2
tbsp granulated sugar
1
cup 2% milk, warmed, plus 2 tablespoons
1
cup all-purpose flour
1
tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2
tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), at room temperature
1/4 cup confectioners sugar

Instructions:
1. Place a 12-cup muffin tin on the middle rack in the oven and preheat the oven
to 400°F.

2. Add the eggs and granulated sugar to a blender and mix on medium speed
until light yellow. Add 1 cup warmed milk and blend. Add the flour,
cinnamon, and salt. Blend until smooth.

3. Use a pastry brush to grease the hot muffin tin generously with the melted
butter. Add any remaining butter to the batter and pulse to blend. Pour the
batter into the muffin tin, filling the cups about three-quarters
full. Bake until the popovers are golden, about 20 minutes. (Do NOT open the
oven door!) Turn off
the oven, keep the oven door closed, and continue to bake the popovers until
golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the cream cheese with the confectioners’
sugar and the remaining 2 tablespoons milk until smooth. Remove the popovers
from the oven. Use the tip of a paring knife to poke a tiny slit at the top of
each popover (this will allow steam to escape, and will keep your popovers from
getting soggy). Brush the popovers with the glaze and serve warm.

Per
Serving (1 popover): Calories 96 / Protein 3g / Dietary Fiber 0g / Sugars 6g /
Total Fat 3g

Raspberry-Banana
Morning Boost Smoothie
Makes 2 smoothies

Old-fashioned rolled oats and white beans add body and fiber
to this blushing pink smoothie. It’s also delicious made with strawberries or
blueberries.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk, soy milk, or dairy
milk
1 peeled and frozen ripe banana, cut into pieces
1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/4 cup peeled, seeded, and finely chopped cucumber
3 tbsp cooked white beans (homemade or canned and rinsed)
3/4 cup frozen or fresh raspberries
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup ice cubes

Instructions:
1. Add the almond milk to a blender and then add the
remaining ingredients in this order: the banana, oats, cucumber, beans,
raspberries, vanilla, and ice cubes.

2. Blend on high speed until smooth, 30 to 45 seconds. Divide
between glasses and serve.

Per Serving: Calories 172 / Protein 5g / Dietary Fiber 7g /
Sugars 14g / Total Fat 3g