Read to the end for a bonus quick & easy recipe to make with stale bread.
I hate wasting food. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves. So, when the baguette in my fridge went a little stale, I immediately knew what I was going to make: Strata.
Strata is a classic American egg casserole dish made with stale bread cubes, eggs & cheese. It is one of my favorite breakfasts. It’s comforting & filling, but it also has lots of protein & carbs to keep me fueled for my entire morning. And it can be made ahead of time for an easy, grab-and-go breakfast.
Bell pepper & feta strata
Makes: 4 large servings
Ingredients:
8 eggs
1 cup milk of choice (I like unsweetened almond milk)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8oz day-old baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 bell peppers, thinly sliced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Parsley, for garnish (optional)
Salt & pepper, to taste
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch by 8-inch dish with cooking spray.
Whisk together eggs, milk, & grated Parmesan cheese. Add salt & pepper, to taste. Toss bread cubes in egg mixture until coated, & then pour into the prepared baking dish.
In a nonstick pan, sauté bell peppers until soft. Top egg mixture with bell peppers, feta cheese, & fresh parsley.
Bake for 1 hour, or until the center of the strata is puffed up & the eggs are no longer liquid. Let sit for 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
Bonus Recipe: I had a little extra bread leftover (it was a BIG baguette), so I made fresh croutons. Honestly, I could just eat these as a snack.
Parmesan Croutons
Ingredients:
8oz day-old baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper, to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese, to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cover a baking pan in foil & spray with cooking spray.
Toss bread cubes in olive oil until coated. Add salt, pepper, & Parmesan cheese, to taste.
Bake for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!
Note: Bread cubes can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week.
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Spring is in the air, & that means it’s time for delicious spring produce!
Spring is the perfect time to start a healthy lifestyle. While the world outside is beginning to grow once again, you can commit to growth in your own life. With the weather outside getting warmer, there’s no better time to get out & start moving! And there are lots of spring fruits & vegetables that taste delicious & are beneficial for your health.
Look below for over 20 healthy spring recipes that can help you achieve your goals & have fun while doing it!
Quiche is my absolute favorite breakfast food. I love the savory taste paired with the perfect cheeses & vegetables, &, of course, the buttery, flakey crust. This quiche recipe from Pure Wow was created by Joanna Gaines, the home improvement guru, & it does not disappoint. However, feel free to play around with the vegetables & cheeses added for different flavors!
Last but not least, if you’re in a big rush in the morning, try this easy toast recipe from Breakfast for Dinner that’s both savory & sweet. It has ricotta cheese for some much-needed protein, & it’s topped with delicious, fresh berries & honey to satisfy that sweet tooth.
Are you ready to detox your body after a long winter? Try this delicious Rainbow Roll-Ups recipe from Pinch of Yum. They are packed with fresh vegetables, & the sweet & salty peanut sauce is dreamy & delicious.
Kiwi Strawberry Spring Rolls with Honey Lime Dipping Sauce
This bright & delicious spring roll recipe from A Sweet Pea Chef highlights all of the wonderful fruits of the season. It’s a fun & inventive way to get in your serving of fruits for the day.
Shaved Spring Vegetable & Apple Salad with Ginger-Dijon Dressing
Salad doesn’t have to be boring. This spring vegetable & apple salad from Pure Wow has tons of fresh vegetables you normally wouldn’t expect to taste raw, but they taste so delicious that way! The ginger-dijon dressing really pulls the dish together with a fun, Asian twist. Leave the recipe vegetarian, or add your favorite protein for a more filling lunch.
Forget boring Caesar salad! Try this fun spring recipe from Pure Wow that uses fresh asparagus in place of the lettuce. That’s right – this recipe has no leafy greens! It’s a fun twist on the traditional salad that is going to delight your taste buds.
This easy burgers recipe from Pinch of Yum uses canned salmon, eggs, & breadcrumbs (gluten-free alternative here) to create patties that are simple to make but taste delicious. The slaw is made with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a higher protein & lower fat content than the traditional dish.
If you’re in the mood for some light Italian fare, try this delicious & easy bruschetta chicken recipe from Evolving Table. Instead of putting the tomato mixture on top of bread, it’s served on top of the chicken for a high-protein, zero-carb alternative. The bright asparagus is a delicious finishing touch that helps make this a filling but still low-carb meal.
This chicken tacos recipe from Jessica Gavin is a current favorite in my house. The tart & sweet pineapple salsa recipe is so refreshing, & the chicken is cooked to a succulent perfection. Warming the tortillas in the pan at the end is the delicious secret to this tasty, balanced dish.
Sometimes, we all just need some comfort food. If you’re in the need of some pasta, try this Pasta Limone recipe from Pure Wow. Instead of topping the noodles with marinara or Alfredo sauce, it uses fresh lemon & basil. It’s a bright & delicious dish that’s still hits the spot.
Make fresh spring fruits the star of the show with this Fruit Pizza recipe from Life Made Sweeter. You can top it with the recommended fruits, or use your favorites. The crust is made with oats for a gluten-free & fiber-rich alternative, & the “sauce” is made from Greek yogurt, which adds protein to the dish.
I love lemon! I will choose a lemon dessert before anything else on any dessert table – hands down. These Lemon Cheesecake Bars from Spoonful of Flavor are the perfect balance of tart & sweet, & the Greek yogurt & cream cheese filling has extra protein, making this a delicious, healthy dessert.
The first fruit I think of when I think about spring is strawberries. I remember going strawberry picking when I was little & coming home to make delicious cobbler. These Strawberry Oatmeal Bars from Well Plated are made with whole wheat flour & old-fashioned oats for a fiber-rich dessert that’s just as sweet as the one from your childhood. The powdered sugar glaze is completely optional, but you can add it for a sweeter dish.
Blueberries & lemon are a match made in heaven. This lemon poppyseed cake from Ana’s Baking Chronicles has a delicious, tart, lemon-y punch that’s balanced by the sweet blueberry jam & glaze for a delightfully balanced dessert. It’s the perfect treat for a lovely spring occasion.
No matter where you are in your health journey, I hope you found some recipes that inspired you. Cooking with fresh ingredients is a simple way to get more nutrients into your diet, & it’s a big step towards a healthier lifestyle. The bright & beautiful flavors of spring are a delicious way to eat healthy without even realizing it!
What are some of your favorite spring recipes? Leave me a comment below!
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. If you buy a product after clicking a link, I may earn a commission off of that purchase.
St. Patrick’s Day is almost here!
Traditionally, this would be the time for sodium-rich corned beef & cabbage, carb-laden colcannon potatoes, artificially dyed green desserts (see a natural alternative here), & multiple pints of beer. And while this is a perfectly fine way to celebrate on occasion, if you are currently trying to tackle some health & fitness goals for summer, or if you are just looking to make some healthier meals for your family, this may not be the ideal choice.
If you are looking for some healthier but still festive alternatives, check out this round-up of delicious St. Patrick’s-themed recipes, so you can still have fun & feel good.
Sneak some veggies into your breakfast with this Kale Kefir Pancake recipe. If you don’t have kefir, substitute buttermilk (you can make your own by adding 1 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of milk & letting it sit for 5 minutes). These pancakes are gluten-free as well – they use buckwheat flour & oats instead of all-purpose flour. This is a savory pancake recipe, but if you want something a little sweeter, take out the turmeric & add in some honey. Or, embrace the savory component & pair this recipe with salsa & eggs.
This soup is so indulgently creamy, but it’s packed with vegetables, making it a delicious but still nutritious choice for lunch. Enjoy it alone for a light meal, or pair it with a small salad and/or crusty bread for a more filling lunch.
This bento box is too cute, & it has all the healthy foods you need for a balanced meal, plus a fun little treat. Instead of using cream cheese, spread hummus between the spinach tortillas for a higher-protein choice.
This recipe uses real cheese to make the Pot of Gold dip, making it a much healthier choice than traditional queso from the store. The Shamrock Dippers are made from spinach tortillas, making it a simple but festive choice for chips.
On most holidays, I find what people struggle most with is getting in enough fruits & vegetables. This snack board is absolutely adorable, & it’s packed with healthy fruits & veggies, so you can make sure you are getting in all your necessary servings for the day.
Instead of using mayonnaise & green food coloring, this deviled eggs recipe gets its creaminess & festive green color from avocados! It’s a recipe packed with protein & healthy fats.
The whole family is going to love this fun, festive dish. Yellow bell peppers are stuffed with ground turkey, brown rice, & tomatoes & topped with cheddar cheese to make the most delicious pot of gold you have ever seen!
Rainbows are another theme of St. Patrick’s Day, & eating from the rainbow is another way to stay healthy. This Rainbow Bell Pepper Pizza is covered in vegetables, making it a delicious & nutritious choice for celebrating the holiday.
This pesto is made from fresh spinach, walnuts, & extra-virgin olive oil, making it a great choice of healthy fats & vegetables. Stir it into your favorite pasta (or zucchini pasta to keep the dish extra festive), add in some ground turkey for protein if you like, & pair it with your favorite crusty bread for a delicious meal.
If you’re trying to keep your dessert low-carb, try these Keto sugar cookies. They are gluten-free & sweetened with sugar-free maple syrup. The green frosting is made from avocado, monk fruit sweetener, & butter. It’s a delicious, simple recipe that you can have fun making with the kids.
When I think of green desserts, I think of mint. These Mint Chocolate Chip Brownies are paleo & gluten-free, making them a healthy choice for anyone trying to stay away from processed foods. The layers of brownie, mint cream, & chocolate topping make this treat so indulgent, you won’t even miss the traditional sugar.
I hope you all have a fun & festive St. Patrick’s Day! Remember, if the diet breaks for one day, all progress is not lost. Have fun & get back on track tomorrow.
