Warmer temperatures signal that spring is here and in full bloom, and if there is one meal that celebrates the flavors of spring it is brunch. What’s not to love about brunch anyway? It combines the best of both breakfast and lunch and invites us to slow down and savor amazing flavors over great conversation. Like all eating occasions, brunch presents an opportunity to prioritize produce on our plates. Adding more colorful fruits and vegetables into your eating plan means adding in more vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and fiber and can decrease the risk of heart disease, stroke and certain cancers.
So how do you brunch? Whether your preference is for sweet or savory, you can elevate your brunch menu with these produce-packed spins on brunch classics.
Waffles & Pancakes
If fresh hot waffles are what you crave when it comes time for brunch, try them made with whole-grain flour for sustained energy, and top with a serving of fresh fruit or sneak in a serving of vegetables by incorporating grated zucchini or carrots into your pancake mix.
For a flavorful twist try one of the following flavor combinations:
- Raspberry lemon cheesecake – grate lemon zest into your waffle or pancake batter, and top waffles with ricotta cheese and fresh raspberries.
- Peanut butter banana – Try drizzling banana pancakes with warm peanut butter.
Eggs
If savory is more your style, add a boost of vegetables to egg-based dishes with some of these ideas.
- Dress up eggs benedict with sauteed onions, mushrooms and spinach.
- Make build your own breakfast burritos by laying out warm whole-wheat and corn tortillas with eggs and an assortment of fillings, including beans, pico de gallo, diced bell peppers, broccoli and different cheeses.
- For a hunger crushing recipe, add potatoes or squash to an omelet or frittata.
Yogurt Bar
If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, try assembling a yogurt bar to offer friends and family.
- Start with your base: offer two or three yogurt flavors, like vanilla, lemon and strawberry.
- Add fresh fruit: arrange an assortment of fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries, mango slices and banana slices.
- Dried fruit: Include a selection of dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, or pineapple.
- Add a crunch factor: offer a selection of different granolas, nuts and seeds.
- Fun toppings: these can include extras, like shredded coconut, chocolate chips or peanut butter.
Try These Delicious Recipes!
Swiss Chard & Artichoke Heart Egg Bake
By Kristen Carli
Ingredient List
- 20 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 14.5 ounce jars of marinated artichoke hearts
- 1 bunch swiss chard, stems removed, leaves sliced
- 5 ounces crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, add eggs, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Toss in drained marinated artichoke hearts, sliced swiss chard leaves, and goat cheese. Stir to combine.
- Pour into baking dish. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes until eggs are set.
Berry-Chia Baked Oatmeal
By Elise and Stephen Compston
Ingredient List
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 ¾ cup milk of choice
- 2 tbsp chia seeds can sub with flax seeds
- 2 ripe bananas mashed
- 1 ½ cup fresh or frozen berries
- 2 eggs can sub with flax eggs
- 2 tbsp preferred oil or melted butter
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, add eggs, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Toss in drained marinated artichoke hearts, sliced swiss chard leaves, and goat cheese. Stir to combine.
- Pour into baking dish. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes until eggs are set.
The post How Do You Brunch? first appeared in The Foundation for Fresh Produce’s Have A Plant® blog.
Written by: Nicole Pazdziorko, Registered Dietitian
Nicole is a Corporate Retail Dietitian for Food City. In her role, she works to create nutrition content and develop resources for customers, associates and the local community. Her favorite thing about her role is translating nutrition science into relevant messaging that helps people create actionable steps toward their health. In her free time she loves experiment with new recipes, hiking and traveling.
About The Foundation For Fresh Produce And Have A Plant® Movement
The Foundation for Fresh Produce’s vision is to grow a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health. The produce industry has the potential to provide solutions for many of the world’s greatest health and economic challenges – especially those surrounding nutrition and hunger.
The Foundation focuses on improving the appeal of fruit and vegetables as an integral part of people’s diets, supporting the development of infrastructure and supply chain solutions that provide easier access, and establishing strategic alliances that enable children and families to form healthier eating habits.
The transformative Have A Plant® Movement inspires consumers with compelling reasons to believe in the powerful role fruits and vegetables can play to fuel happy, healthy and active lifestyles.
