Nothing endears me to my son more than saying, “We’re having breakfast for dinner.” There’s something special about taking standard breakfast fare, and putting it at the end of the day. It feels more fun, out of order and a little quirky. Kinda like the adorable term I heard once that sums it all up: “Brinner”.
So, how can we make this fast and easy? Here are few ideas that will get “Brinner” on the table:
Eggs:
Scrambled is super easy, and feeds however many mouths you have at the table. Over medium also works, but you’ll be at the stove a while (unless you have a giant pan). Poached is also an option, but honestly, it scares me so I never make it at home. I know, I know.
Tip: Mix it up and throw in a handful of spinach, or last night’s leftover veggies. Also, no milk is necessary for scrambled eggs – just a medium low heat and frequent stirring. Cook them only until they are just about set, and they will be soft and fluffy. Yummy!
Waffles:
My son adores waffles, and frankly, waffles and I have a toasty affair going on as well. They are delicious and easy, no matter if you make them yourself or not.
Tip: On the weekend, make some waffles, and park them in the freezer. They will be ready any time.
Pancakes:
Another favorite in our house. What’s not to love about spongy disks soaking up sweet maple syrup? Or jam? Or honey? Sweet fluffy goodness.
Tip: These also work beautifully to make ahead. They keep in the fridge for a few days. Never made them from scratch? Try one of my popular recipes I adapted from my grandmother’s original recipe (mother of 9 by the way):
Simple Homemade Pancakes Recipe and Gluten-Free Pancakes Recipe.
Toast or Bagels:
Ok, this seems like a no-brainer, but try topping it with peanut butter, apple sauce, or even a little cinnamon and cream cheese. One of my favorites? A bagel with a little cream cheese and orange marmalade. Yum!
Fruit:
It’s almost summer, and I can hardly wait for all the berries and fruit! Cut up your favorites, and toss them together. It’s that simple. Try my fruit salad with a secret ingredient, and a tip for grapes that might change the way you make your fruit salad forever.
Salad:
If you’re not so much into fruit, and veggies are more your thing, throw in a tossed salad. There are beautiful mixes at the supermarket these days, and it makes getting greens into your families bellies so simple. Toss them with a little bit of dressing, and serve alongside your soft scrambled eggs.
Protein:
I think a couple picks off the list above is great, but if your family likes a little meat or vegetarian sausage, add that in too. There are countless tasty varieties out there, and most are ready in a few minutes.
Tip: Use your oven to make bacon. So much easier, and you’re less likely to be covered in grease!
What’s your favorite breakfast for dinner meal?
Yum! Thanks for sharing these yummy ideas Brandie! We love breakfast for dinner in the Garvey household. My favorite is omelettes with spinach and feta.
We love brinner, too, and in fact it’s what we’ll have tonight! I’m an even bigger fan of brinner now that it’s a meal my children can actually make with just a bit of supervision. There really IS nothing simpler than someone else doing the cooking. 😉 Love all your ideas and will definitely be giving that fruit salad recipe a try. Thanks, Brandie!
I love making waffles and pancakes in big batches and keeping some in the freezer for later. (My kids will sometimes take waffles to school for snacks (no butter or syrup, obviously–they’re finger food in this case.)) Honestly, I can happily eat breakfast for lunch, too! Thanks for the great ideas.