With appetites heightened by snaps of cold air, sturdy repasts are once again welcome, especially on weekend mornings.
Time constraints need not push such meals off the table. Clever combinations of fresh ingredients and convenience products, such as muffin mixes, cut down on cooking time while still turning out stylish meals.
Spiced cider Pumpkin-cornmeal pancakes Cranberry-maple syrup Sage and apple sausage patties Coffee
Spiced cider
Pumpkin-cornmeal pancakes
Cranberry-maple syrup
Sage and apple sausage patties
Coffee
PUMPKIN-CORNMEAL PANCAKES
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 2 minutes per batch
Yield: 12 pancakes, 4 servings
1 package (7 1/2 ounces) cornbread muffin mix, see note
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Cranberry-maple syrup, see recipe
1. Combine muffin mix, milk, pumpkin and butter in medium mixing bowl; stir until smooth.
2. Heat thin film of vegetable oil in large non-stick griddle or skillet. Pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto hot griddle. Cook, turning once, until cooked through, 2-3 minutes. Serve with cranberry-maple syrup.
Test kitchen note: Recipe was tested with Martha White and Jiffy brand muffin mixes.
Nutrition information per serving (without syrup):
Calories ……….. 95 Fat ………… 3.4 g Sat. fat …….. 1.5 g
Cal./fat ………. 32% Chol. ……….. 9 mg Sodium ……… 180 mg
Carb. ………… 15 g Protein ………. 2 g Fiber ……….. 0.5 g
CRANBERRY-MAPLE SYRUP
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Microwave cooking time: 2 minutes
Yield: 1 1/4 cups
1 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup fresh cranberries
2 teaspoons bourbon, optional
Combine maple syrup and cranberries in microwave-safe container. Cook on 100 percent power until berries begin to burst, 2-2 1/2 minutes. Stir in bourbon. Serve hot.
Nutrition information per 1/4 cup:
Calories ……….. 170 Fat ………. 0.1 g Saturated fat .. 0 g
% calories from fat .. 1 Cholesterol … 0 mg Sodium …….. 6 mg
Carbohydrates ….. 44 g Protein …….. 0 g Fiber …….. 0.3 g
SAGE AND APPLE SAUSAGE PATTIES
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 6 minutes
Yield: 8 patties
1 package (16 ounces) bulk pork sausage
1 small apple, cored, finely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh sage
1 tablespoon coarse-cracked black pepper
1. Combine sausage, apple, sage and pepper; shape 6-8 patties. Recipe can be prepared a day in advance to this point, wrapped and refrigerated.
2. Put sausages in cold skillet. Turn to medium heat; cook, turning, until patties are well browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes.
Nutrition information per patty:
Calories ………… 115 Fat ………… 9 g Saturated fat .. 3.1 g
% calories from fat .. 70 Cholesterol .. 25 mg Sodium …….. 375 mg
Carbohydrates ….. 2.9 g Protein …….. 6 g Fiber ………. 0.6 g
