Cold Mornings Require Hot Eats!
Though this February in Denver has been quite lovely, we are fairly certain that Old Man Winter has a few chilly days left for us before spring officially arrives. For breakfast on a frosty morning, we all crave something a bit warmer than cold cereal. Here are a few ideas to warm up your breakfast table!
Cranberry Apple Baked Oatmeal - Oatmeal is so comforting and just the ticket to warm you on a cold day. We love this recipe with cranberry and apple to spice up an old favorite.
Baked Pumpkin Cream Cheese French Toast - YUM! This new take on French Toast has a delectable cream cheese filling and is very easy to prep ahead of time. We like to fill individual ramekins, but you can also use a big casserole dish if you are feeding a crowd.
Mini Quiche -A great make-ahead recipe with lots of adaptation potential. Throw in whatever you want, and just heat up a handful before you run out the door. These freeze well too, perfect for busy families and busy mornings!
Breakfast Out in Denver at OPH! When the barometer dips, bundle up the whole family and bring them in for a cozy morning at The Original Pancake House in Denver. With a choice of pancakes, crepes, waffles, egg dishes and more, our piping hot plates of delicious breakfast fare will warm you up in no time!
Warm wishes from your friends at The Original Pancake House in Denver!
Celebrate National Grapefruit Month!
Did you know that February is National Grapefruit Month? Slightly sweet, slightly tart, and pretty in pink, grapefruits have graced the breakfast table as far back as anyone can remember! We think this oh-so-healthy breakfast staple deserves some celebration. Here are a few fun facts about grapefruits!
- Grapefruits are naturally loaded with the antioxidant Vitamin C, plus Vitamin A, and plenty of potassium. They contain no cholesterol or sodium and only 52 calories per serving! With all these healthy vitamins, grapefruit juice helps boost the immune system during the winter months when colds and flu are at their peak.
- Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant in pink and red grapefruit juice may help prevent certain types of cancer, heart disease and stroke.
- The most popular varieties cultivated today are red, white, and pink hues, referring to the internal pulp color of the fruit. The family of flavors range from highly acidic and somewhat bitter to sweet and tart.
- When buying grapefruit, the best ones will be heavy for their weight- this indicates they have much more water and are ripe.
With all its tart, juicy goodness and amazing health properties, we like to make sure we include grapefruit with all our morning meals. Next time you head out for breakfast in Denver at The Original Pancake House, be sure to ask your server for fresh grapefruit sections to accompany your meal!
Breakfast Restaurants are Serving Up Eggs
How many eggs are consumed in America? Keep reading to find out this and other egg statistics.
Eggs are a staple item at breakfast restaurants and in our homes as well. It’s really no mystery why. They’re the perfect source of complete protein and can be prepared in endless ways. So just how many eggs do you think are being prepared at breakfast restaurants in the United States? In 2015 an estimated 231 million cases of shell eggs were produced. Of that, a whopping 20.8 million cases went to the foodservice industry. That’s a lot of omelettes!
Here’s some more “eggstraordinary” facts about the egg industry.
- As of January 1, 2017 there were 372 million egg-laying chickens (“layers”) in the country.
- Of those 372 million layers, 314 million of them are for producing shell and table eggs.
- Iowa is the number one egg producing state in the country.
- When analyzing the cost of high-quality protein, eggs are the most affordable choice at 55 grams of protein per dollar spent. Compare this to 90% lean ground beef, which provides 16 grams of protein per dollar spent.
- In 2016 per capita consumption of eggs was estimated at 267.4 per person.
- The Guinness World Record for the largest omelette was set in 2012 by a group of Portuguese chefs. They used a total of 45,000 free range eggs to make it and and it tipped the scales at 9,702 pounds and 8 ounces.
Easy Ideas for a Healthy Breakfast in Denver
Find it challenging to start your day with a healthy breakfast in Denver? Keep reading for some fast and easy ideas.
It can often be a big challenge to eat a healthy breakfast in Denver when you’re constantly rushing to get out the door. But making the effort will really pay off because it’s the most important meal of the day, after all. If you’re watching your budget and your weight you might not want to buy your breakfast at cafes or coffee shops. The money and the calories can definitely add up! Here are some super easy ideas to start your day with a healthy breakfast in Denver.
Avocado Toast. This isn’t a new idea but it certainly has been trendy lately. And for good reason. The healthy fat in avocado spread onto some multi-grain toast makes for a tasty and healthy breakfast. For a good dose of protein top it with eggs cooked to your liking or some lean breakfast meat like turkey sausage or Canadian bacon.
Nut Butter Toast with Fruit. Spread your favorite nut butter onto multi-grain toast and top with sliced bananas or strawberries. Add a sprinkle of hemp or chia seeds for heart-healthy omega fatty acids.
Smoothie. There may not be a faster, easier and more portable healthy breakfast! Add some Greek yogurt for protein and a variety of fruits and veggies for plenty of vitamins and fiber.
Quinoa Salad. Quinoa is rich in protein and makes a deliciously unexpected breakfast. You can make it sweet by adding lots of fruit, fresh mint and a little honey and lime juice for a dressing. Or make it savory with hard boiled eggs, chopped fresh tomatoes, basil and balsamic vinegar. Make several servings in advance and you have breakfast in a hurry for the week.
The Star of Pancake House Menus Has a Long History
They may be the preferred item on pancake house menus, but people have been eating them since long before restaurants.
Pancakes have long been a favorite of the American breakfast table. You’d be hard pressed to find people who did not grow up enjoying the classic combination of pancakes and maple syrup. But what do you know about the history of the humble star of pancake house menus? You may be surprised to learn that pancakes are actually an ancient dish.
It is believed that the earliest pancakes may date as far back as the Stone Age. These ancient versions weren’t made with flour, but more likely from ground up starchy vegetation that was mixed with water and cooked on a hot stone. This practice of making flat cakes from some form of grain or starch continued throughout history. The ancient Greeks made a version from wheat flour, olive oil and curdled milk. They were sweetened with honey and eaten for breakfast. Another Greek version was made with spelt flour and topped with honey, sesame and cheese.
The modern American pancake evolved from the hoe cakes and johnnycakes of Colonial times. These were made from cornmeal or buckwheat. The first recipes were published in the 1796 cookbook American Cookery by Amelia Simmons.
Today pancakes of all varieties are found in America and many other countries all around the world. They are, of course, still the star of all of The Original Pancake House menus, made from our signature sourdough starter. This gives them the light and airy texture they are known for. Come celebrate culinary history with us any day of the week!