Back to School Breakfasts
It is hard to believe it is back to school time again! We know how hard it can be to get back onto a school schedule so we’ve compiled a few of our favorite fast and easy breakfast recipes to help get you out the door on time. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, hopefully these ideas will also make it the easiest meal so that everyone gets to school with a full tummy!
Freeze and Go Breakfast Burrito
We love these burritos because you can pack your freezer full of them and have them ready to pop in the microwave on any morning you are running late! Simply cook large quantities of your breakfast favorites such as scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon, and potatoes. Combine all cooked ingredients plus green chile if you have adventurous kiddos, and cheese in flour tortillas, roll them up, wrap in foil and plastic baggies, and freeze. In the morning you can toast or microwave these burritos and be ready to go in less than two minutes!
Mason Jar Breakfast Parfait
These are so easy to prepare ahead and will last a whole week in the fridge. Use a large mason jar and fill in alternating layers with your favorite yogurt, fruit medley, and granola. Screw the tops on the jars to keep the parfait fresh and store in the fridge. They’ll be ready to grab and go in the morning!
Banana Bread in a Jar
This breakfast is oh-so-yummy and comforting in the morning. We recommend preparing the mixture and filling the jars the night before. Then in the morning you microwave each jar for 2 ½ minutes and you have individual servings of delicious, warm banana bread for breakfast!
Ingredients:
- 1/4 c. Coconut Milk (Unsweetened)
- 1/4 c. Almond butter (You can use cashew butter as well)
- 1/4 tsp. Baking powder
- 2 tbsp Nutiva Coconut Flour
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1/2 Ripe Banana (Mashed)
- 1/5 c. Dark Chocolate Chips
- Sprinkle of shredded pecans
- Pinch of shredded coconut
Combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients in separate bowls. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix thoroughly. Pour into individual mason jars and top each with chocolate chips, pecans and coconut. Store in fridge and microwave for 2 ½ minutes when you are ready to eat!
Best Breakfasts Around the World
Summer is the season to travel and we love hearing about the adventures our customers experience as they travel the globe over the holiday months. Our customers’ stories have us wondering, what are the best breakfasts to experience around the world? We decided to create a breakfast travel wishlist in case we are ever able to book that ‘round the world’ plane ticket! If your travels take you to any of these destinations, snap a photo and show us the yummy food you tried!
Mexico: When visiting our southern neighbor, be sure to order the Chilaquiles for breakfast. You’ll enjoy a tortilla topped with eggs, red or green chile sauce, cheese, beans, and sometimes shredded bacon or chicken.
England: One must order a full English breakfast when visiting the U.K. You’ll get a hearty plate with eggs, baked beans, grilled mushrooms and tomatoes, sausage or bacon, and toast. Sounds good to us!
Australia: When in the land down under, one must order toast with vegemite for breakfast. Vegemite is a thick, black Australian food spread made from leftover brewers' yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives. Some people love it, others not so much, let us know what you think!
Japan: Traditional Japanese breakfasts usually include miso soup, steamed rice, and boiled fish. Now that sounds like a breakfast our doctor would approve of…
Turkey: In turkey, as with other Mediterranean countries, you can expect lots of fresh produce including feta cheese, tomato, cucumber, olives, toast, cherry jam, spicy Turkish sausage, and of course Turkish tea.
Venezuela: In Venezuela, breakfast arepas are like a grilled pancake or tortilla or sorts filled with assorted meats and sausage, cheese, and are served with avocado salad, eggs and beans. Now that sounds like a breakfast that will get you through the day!
Of course, we think a classic American breakfast with pancakes, eggs, sausage, and home fries really can’t be beat! When you return from your world travels, be sure to stop in and say hi at the Original Pancake House in Denver, we’ll cook you up a breakfast that tastes like home!
Fireside Chat with Melodie Polidori of Polidori Sausage
We love our Polidori Sausage links any time of year, but one of our favorite holiday special menu items is the Polidori Sausage holiday links! As the holiday links recently made their annual debut on our holiday special menu, we thought it might be fun to sit down with Melodie Polidori and learn a bit more about sausage!
Q: Polidori has a long history in Denver, can you tell us a bit about how Polidori Sausage began?
Polidori Sausage just celebrated its 90th year in business. It all began back in August of 1925 when my great grandmother Ana Polidori and her husband Rocco bought a grocery store in North Denver. My grandmother was the butcher at the store while my grandfather ran the grocery part of the store. When my grandmother was not busy cutting pork chops and steaks for customers she would cook up her family heirloom Italian sausage for customers to sample. The aroma of the sausage made customers curious how to get Polidori Sausage. She would sell the sausages from the butcher case. 90 years later we still make her family Italian sausage recipe the same as she did back in 1925.
Q: What are some of the Polidori Family favorite holiday traditions?
Food---Having stuffed shells with Polidori sausage at my grandparents’ house for Christmas and eating turkey with a to die for stuffing with Polidori Stuffing!! Another favorite tradition was making Pizzel’s with my grandmother!!!
Q: Can you tell us what special ingredients make your holiday links so delicious? Or is it a family secret?
It starts with the finest cuts of pork and fresh spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg are two special ingredients as well as fresh currant berries!
Q: What is your favorite breakfast meal?
A breakfast soufflé with Polidori Sausage.
Q: Other than at OPH, where can people find Polidori Sausage in Denver if they need to feed their sausage fix at home? Do you make other types of sausage in addition to breakfast links?
Polidori Sausage can be found at King Soopers, Safeway, Albertson’s, Spinelli’s Market and Max Market. We do make maple sausage links as well commonly used at breakfast restaurants.
Thanks Melodie! The next time you join us for breakfast in Denver, definitely try the special holiday sausage links! You won’t be disappointed. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Crepes! Sweet and Savory, Crepes are Enjoyed Around the World.
When we think of Crepes, we often think of French cafes and light, rolled crepes filled with Nutella, bananas, and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Did you know that many countries around the world have their own version of a crepe-like pancake? Though many cultures eat their version of crepes for breakfast, some are more of a savory treat and can be shared at dinner. Here is a look into the tradition of crepes around the globe.
Italy:
Italians enjoy a version of the French crepe called a crespelle. Crespelle are usually made using chestnut flower as opposed to wheat flour and are often filled with savory stuffings such as cured meats, veggies, and Italian cheeses - kind of like a crepe pizza!
India:
In southern India the dosa, or large crepe-like delicacy, is made with fermented rice and lentil batter and is often served with spicy sauces. You will find a masala dosa on many Indian restaurant menus as it is a popular dish involving a dosa stuffed with potatoes and curry.
Malaysia
: In Malaysia they serve a unique waffle weave version of a crepe called a roti jala. These savory crepes are made with turmeric to give them a bright yellow color and unique flavor. The roti are often served as a side dish and are used to mop up flavorful sauces from traditional Malaysian dinners.
South Africa:
The pennekoeke is very similar to a French crepe and is enjoyed as a breakfast treat. In South Africa they fill their pennekoeke with cinnamon custard and a spiced crumble.
Somalia:
In Somalia the anjero, or a crepe-like spongy flatbread is served with most meals. It is made with yeast flour and has a bit of a sour taste, similar to sourdough bread. The anjero is used as a utensil to eat flavorful meats, potatoes, and stews.
It is amazing how many variations on the crepe exist world-wide. If these examples have your mouth watering, we’d be happy to serve you one of our homemade crepes next time you are out for breakfast in Denver. We have many variations of the traditional French crepe on our menu including Cherry Kijafa, Mandarin, Banana Praline, Seasonal Berry, and Continental Crepes. We recommend you try them all!
Presidential Breakfasts
In honor of President’s Day, we decided to take a look into the morning routine of President Barack Obama as well as a few of the former Presidents of the United States. What our presidents eat is influenced by family heritage, personal preference, physical condition, and social obligation. Take a look at the unique gastronomic portraits of a few of our past presidents!
Barack Obama
: President Obama starts his day with a very hearty breakfast! A typical morning repast includes four to six eggs, potatoes, and wheat toast. Every now and then, Obama enjoys fruit, bacon, and oatmeal.
George W. Bush:
True to his Texas roots, former President George W. Bush loves huevos rancheros and biscuits!
Bill Clinton:
Clinton is known for his unhealthy eating habits and thus it comes as no surprise that his favorite breakfast treats include cinnamon rolls and Egg McMuffins.
George H.W. Bush:
George H.W. Bush was famous for his vocal dislike of broccoli. We do not have much record of what he did like, however, except that he frequently requested corn pudding at many a State Dinner!
Ronald Reagan:
The Reagans were very health conscious in their breakfast habits. Typically, former President Reagan started the day with bran cereal, skim milk, fresh fruit, and decaffeinated coffee. Once a week, Reagan enjoyed a single egg scrambled, poached, or soft-boiled. Reagan usually supplemented his morning repast with whole wheat toast or a home-made muffin.
Jimmy Carter:
Jimmy Carter stuck with his southern roots when it came to morning meals. He preferred ham with redeye gravy, baked grits, and cornbread for breakfast.
Gerald Ford:
Gerald Ford had breakfast habits that are Original Pancake House approved! Ford preferred waffles with strawberries and sour cream, and German apple pancakes!
At the Original Pancake House, we have plenty of breakfast options for both presidential tastes and presidential appetites! Next time you are out for breakfast in Denver, join us for a Gerald Ford-approved apple pancake or Barack Obama’s favorite eggs, potatoes and toast!
End of Summer Family Bucket List
With the start of a new school year fast approaching, consider heading out for a family fun day before the end of vacation. To make the day special, start with a hearty breakfast in Denver at Original Pancake House. With menu favorites such as Chocolate Chip Pancakes or OPH Smiley Cakes for the kids, and a plethora of egg dishes and more for the parents, everyone will leave full, happy, and ready to enjoy a day of adventure. Read on to learn about a few of our favorite local spots to spend the day with the family.
Dinosaur Ridge
A part of the Morrison Fossil Area National Park, Dinosaur Ridge is a great place for families to see actual dinosaur footprints sealed by time. Dinosaur Ridge is famous for its Exhibit Hall and summer camps where young people can learn more about paleontology.
Cherry Creek State Park
A perfect spot for nature lovers, Cherry Creek State Park offers families a relaxing spot to spend the day. Enjoy hiking, biking, or horseback riding on the many trails throughout the park. If it is a hot day, rent a canoe or kayak from the marina and picnic on the sandy beaches surrounding the reservoir. Cherry Creek Park even offers an “airstrip” for flying model airplanes and a family shooting range.
Elitch Gardens
Summer vacation isn’t complete until you spend a day at Elitch Gardens. Ride the slides to cool off in the water park and then test your adventurous spirit on the roller coasters and thrill rides. There are attractions, rides, concerts and entertainment for kids ages 4 -100 which means the whole family will enjoy the day.
Tiny Town
Open to the public since 1920, Tiny Town, is a miniature collection of houses, buildings, and railroads to entertain kids of all ages. With more than 90 buildings on display, visitors enjoy stepping back in time with a ride on the railroad and marveling at all of the creations. Located close to Morrison, you get the added bonus of enjoying mountain surroundings on this trip!
The Children’s Museum
If you have younger children, Denver’s Children’s Museum is the place to go to “learn through play.” With interactive exhibits, educational programs, and play areas, the kids will enjoy explorative play with everything from rockets, to bubbles, nature, and painting.
We hope you enjoy these last few weeks of summer, Denver!
A World Cup breakfast – what do professional soccer players eat?
The World Cup captured our attention this summer as we watched teams from all corners of the globe compete in the quest for futbol glory. As World Cup players are endurance athletes – the average player runs six to eight miles per match – they require up to 4,000 calories per day to keep their bodies strong and performing at max ability. In order to keep players healthy and full, many teams travel with their own set of nutritionists and chefs to monitor each player’s intake of calories, vitamins and minerals. In addition, the team nutritionist must prepare food that the players will eat and enjoy and as a result, many teams brought their own food supplies to ensure a “taste of home.” For example, the Italian team brought pasta, parmesan cheese, and wine to Brazil, while the Mexican team traveled with pozole, and the U.S. team brought peanut butter, jelly, Cheerios, and A1 Steak Sauce.
So what do the soccer players eat for breakfast? According to the U.S. Team Chef Bryson Billapando, breakfast chicken enchiladas were the most popular morning meal offering for the U.S. team. Instead of breakfast pancakes, he creates enchiladas filled with slow-roasted tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and garlic, shredded chicken, eggs, and homemade enchilada sauce. As the players require a carb-heavy diet, mixed with high quality proteins and healthy fats (no butter!), they also often enjoy rice and beans, or even pasta with their morning meals to fuel up for the day.
To ensure players are getting their required intake of vitamins and minerals, Chef Billapando requires each individual to fill his plate with at least two varieties of vegetables and multiple servings of fruit. According to team staff, the U.S. players eat an entire case, or 25 lbs., of avocados each day!
The next time you are enjoying a pancake breakfast in Denver (smothered in butter and syrup!); think of the World Cup players and their morning plate of rice and beans. We’re glad we get to enjoy pancakes and waffles!
Mile High Anniversary Scavenger Hunt Answers!
Thank you to all who participate in the Mile High Anniversary Scavenger Hunt! Folks who answer each daily trivia question with the correct response will be entered to win one of three (3) $50 OPH gift cards, or one (1) Grand Prize to include a $50 OPH gift card plus OPH swag!
And the answers are:
Day 1:
Answer: The first Original Pancake House restaurant opened its doors in Portland, Oregon in 1953!
Day 2:
Answer: When she was just 11-years-old Sara started working at the Original Pancake House as a coffee girl.
Day 3:
Answer: Owner Sara Hueneke Ernst’s collection of beautiful, hand-painted plates. The collection started with family heirlooms Sara received from her grandparents.
Day 4:
Answer: Sara Hueneke Ernst is the great niece of franchise co-founder Erma Hueneke.
Day 5:
Answer: Pancake Man revealed!
Day 6:
Answer: Many of the breakfast menu items at the Original Pancake House Denver feature berries including the popular Seasonal Berry Crepes, Strawberry Belgian Waffles, Blueberry Belgian Waffles, Seasonal Berry French Toast, and our Blueberry Pancakes.
Day 7:
Answer: There are 21 delectable pancake items available at the Original Pancake House Denver, this number does not include seasonal pancake specialties.
The Mile High Anniversary Scavenger Hunt will run for one week from Wednesday, June 18 to Tuesday, June 24, during which time players can participate in daily scavenger hunt challenges. The winners of the prize give-away will be announced on the blog on Friday, June 27.
Original Pancake House Mile High Anniversary Scavenger Hunt
It’s time to celebrate! We are excited to celebrate our 18th anniversary in Denver this June. That’s a full 18 years of delicious Denver breakfast tradition!
In honor of our anniversary, we’re hosting the week-long Mile High Anniversary Online Scavenger Hunt. Kicking off on our anniversary on Wednesday, June 18, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ophdenver daily through Tuesday, June 24 to join in the fun and enter for your chance to win one of four great prizes!
Each day during the Scavenger Hunt, we’ll post an Original Pancake House trivia question on our Facebook page. Participants simply need to find the answer and reply in the comments section of the respective Facebook post. HINT: our website www.ophdenver.com has a lot of titillating information on your favorite Denver pancake house! On Friday, June 27, we will pick one Grand Prize winner and three additional First Prize winners from the correct entries to the daily trivia questions!
OPH Mile High Anniversary Scavenger Hunt prizes include:
One (1) Grand Prize: Original Pancake House Gift Package
· $50 OPH Denver Gift Card
· Adult-size OPH Denver apron
· Child-size OPH Denver apron
· OPH Denver wooden spoon
· OPH Denver mug
Three (3) First Prizes: Original Pancake House Gift Cards
· $50 OPH Denver Gift Card
In order to win, participants must “Like” OPH Denver’s Facebook page. Remember, we’ll only accept one answer per daily challenge, but participants are encouraged to submit an answer to each of the four daily trivia questions. As an added bonus, participants can receive an additional entry in the prize give-away by sharing the scavenger hunt daily challenge posts on their own Facebook pages.
We are excited to celebrate our Mile High Anniversary with you, Denver! Thank you for 18 wonderful years of breakfast tradition. Now for the Scavenger Hunt…on your mark, get set, go!
Meaningful Ways to Celebrate this Memorial Day
Memorial Day marks the non-official beginning of summer. This favorite American holiday is often filled with BBQ’s, time spent with family and friends, and perhaps the first family trip to the pool. At Original Pancake House, we love to celebrate this holiday by taking our families out to a leisurely breakfast in Denver!
In addition to relaxing with family and friends, Memorial Day is meant to be a day of remembrance and a time to celebrate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Read on to learn other popular ways to celebrate this Memorial Day.
Displaying the flag:
Flying the American flag on Memorial Day is a great way to show thanks to those who have served our country. According to tradition, the flag should remain at half-mast until noon to honor the men and women who have fallen in combat. Remember it is customary to put your flag up at dawn and take it down by dusk.
Attend the Memorial Day Parade:
Denver will host a Memorial Day parade on Saturday, May 24 at Civic Center Park. The parade begins at 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by a Veterans Memorial Day tribute at the Veterans Monument.
Learn Your Family History:
Memorial Day is a great time to pull out the family photo album and share your own family history with your children. Many of our grandparents and great-grandparents served our country and sharing their story with the next generation is a great way to honor and remember their sacrifices.
Display Memorial Day Poppies
: Red poppies are a symbol of Memorial Day inspired by John McCrea’s 1915 war poem In Flanders Fields. Since the First World War, red poppies have become a way to “keep faith with all who died,” and are a memorial tradition in the United States, England, France, and more than 50 other countries.
On behalf of the Original Pancake House family, we would like to thank all of the men and women who have served our country. Happy Memorial Day, Denver!
Irish Breakfast Traditions
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we thought we’d explore Irish breakfast traditions. The morning after all the St. Patrick’s Day revelry, we figured the good folks in Ireland must sit down for a hearty meal. As it turns out, a full Irish breakfast is nothing short of a small feast! Here are a few breakfast staples from the Emerald Isle:
Rashers – Rashers are the Irish version of bacon. This pork treat more resembles Canadian bacon, although it is a fattier cut and is served as a round patty. Where American bacon is traditionally cooked until crispy, rashers are typically fried in Irish butter until cooked through and lightly browned.
Bangers – Bangers are a traditional Irish breakfast sausage. Either made with pork or a combination of pork and beef, bangers are typically short in length and fat in diameter. The word “banger” refers to the sausage’s tendency to split and explode out of its casing when cooked.
Boxty – Considered a traditional Irish potato pancake, the boxty actually more resembles American hash browns. Riced potatoes are compacted into a pancake shape within a hot skillet and fried to make this breakfast staple.
Black & White Pudding – Black pudding is essentially blood sausage, or cooked and congealed blood from pigs or cows mixed with pork, beef, or sometimes oatmeal, bread or potato. White pudding is a similar soft sausage made without the blood. Both varieties are usually sliced and then grilled or fried.
And more still! – All Irish breakfasts are served with fried eggs. In addition, a full Irish breakfast will include Irish brown bread, baked beans, fried tomatoes, and sautéed mushrooms. Whew! With a meal this large, you are sure to have energy for a full day’s work or fun! If you don’t want to fly all the way to Ireland for your next morning meal, we’d be happy to serve you an Irish inspired breakfast in Denver at the Original Pancake House with our very own Corned Beef Hash and Eggs. From all of us at the Original Pancake House, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Breakfast of Champions: What are Olympic athletes eating?
With the 2014 Winter Olympics underway, we were wondering, what is the true breakfast of champions? With nutrition being just as important as the innumerable hours spent training for the Olympic Games, what do Olympic athletes eat for breakfast? With a bit of research, we found some astounding facts. Did you know that many Olympians, especially those in endurance sports, require 9,000 to 12,000 calories per day?! Amazing! If we were so lucky as to have one of these athletes join us for breakfast in Denver, we might have to serve them one of each item on The Original Pancake House Denver menu!
For a day of training and competition, we found that Olympians focus on a substantial, yet healthy, breakfast. After all, this first meal provides the foundation of energy needed to go for the gold. In general, Olympians start their day with a healthy mix of carbohydrates, fruits and protein. Many will combine a large bowl of whole grain oats with fresh fruit, and milk or yogurt. In addition, you will likely see athletes enjoy eggs, a great source of lean protein, with toast or a bagel for additional energy. Some athletes are reported to eat a whopping 12 eggs for their first meal of the day! And because they continually burn so many calories between training and competition, you will often see competitors munching on bananas and enjoying a glass of chocolate milk to keep their energy high.
From The Original Pancake House Denver, we wish all the athletes on Team USA “good luck” in the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games. And for the twenty Coloradoans competing in Sochi, we would love to have you stop by for an Olympic-worthy breakfast in Denver when you return home!