Breakfast

What is better than eggs & hash browns? The fancy adult version called potato egg nest!

These Egg Nests are the perfect creation for those who love eggs and hash browns but even if you don’t who can resist these adorable egg cups. Each bite has a perfect egg-to-hash ratio. Crispy potato shreds surrounding a perfectly soft cooked egg giving you serious yolk goals, see photo below.

This is one of those recipes you want to have in your back pocket when you have guest for breakfast or need to feed a crowd. This recipe is fairly easy to whip up yet looks sophisticated enough to impress your guest. Plus these fancy eggs are the best because they have easy make-a-head potential. Wouldn’t these little “egg basket” be so darn cute for Easter brunch, Mother’s Day or just about any special occasion!

You may be thinking this dish looks difficult or even time consuming but trust me it’s neither of those. You can use frozen hash browns saving you loads of time from peeling and shredding fresh potatoes.

Make-a-head bonus: By par-baking the hash browns in the muffin tin the day before, come sunrise you can plop the eggs into the egg nests and bake making it a breeze come morning but even if you don’t do that this all comes together pretty quick.

How To Make Eggs Nests

Basics: you’ll need an oiled muffin tin, eggs, frozen/fresh hash browns*, parm cheese, butter, S&P, and fresh herbs; chives, parsley, etc.

*If you are doing fresh hash browns, after grating your potatoes make sure to squeeze out any extra liquid using a cheesecloth or dish towel.

Combine shredded potatoes, parm, butter, and S&P. Put about 1-2 tbsp in each muffin tin and using your fingers press potato mixture in and up the sides of the muffin cup. Complete all 12 muffin tins. Cook in oven until slightly golden on the edges**.

**Now if you are making these ahead you can stop here. Once potato nest cooked and cooled, remove from muffin tin and store in airtight container in refrigerator. When you are ready to complete the remaining steps, put potato nest back into greased muffin tin and carry on.

Carefully drop an egg into each potato nest. Sprinkle with cheese and cook for another 15 minutes or until done to your likeness.

Once cooked, remove from oven and sprinkle with chives or parsley and top with avocado, sour cream, salsa, or sriracha

THE SECRETS OUT! My family favorite granola recipe is posted. You guys, this is a THE granola recipe you’ve got to try. I mean, only if you like cinnamon crunchy oat clusters. This is one of those recipes you will continue to make over and over again because no other store bought granola will do anymore.

I have made this granola for years so have managed to tweak this recipe to perfection. Lucky for you I am sharing this tried and true granola recipe. What I love most about this recipe is that its so versatile. You can swap in any nut butter, dried fruit, or nut/seed and the recipe always come out with clusters and a good crunch!

I keep this granola in a large jar on the counter, always filled up for easy snacking. This recipe is so simple that you can whip it up in under 30 minutes. With something this easy you can share it with everyone, like that friend of yours that just had a baby or that housewarming party this weekend (pour this granola into a cute mason jar as a housewarming gift – genius!).

Besides eating this granola by the fist-fulls I also love it over yogurt & fruit, on top of a smoothie or I pack a little baggie to take with me as a quick snack anytime.

One of the secret ingredients that gives this granola its crunch is the buckwheat groats. You might be more familiar with buckwheat flour, which is just buckwheat groats ground. This nutrient-dense grain is gluten-free and considered a SUPERFOOD due to all the antioxidants. This little grain also provides an abundance of complete plant-based protein (all 12 amino acids =complete protein source), vitamins and minerals making it extra suitable for vegans or vegetarians.

Studies have even examined this mighty grain and due to its fiber and phytonutrients (antioxidants) it has cholesterol and blood pressure lowering effects helping to prevent cardiovascular disease. A recent 2018 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that those who had the buckwheat intervention versus the control had significantly lower blood pressure, blood sugar, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Furthermore, all those phytonutrients in buckwheat not only support cardiovascular health but can benefit digestion, liver and brain function and help fight cancer! Go Buckwheat Go!

Not only is this granola super yummy its a nutrient-powerhouse! Zero guilt about grabbing this granola by the fist-fulls – just trying to get in more antioxidants!

Mostly what I love are the crunchy clusters; perfectly toasted and slightly sweet. No refined sugar, the sweetness comes from maple syrup and dates. I also use a good amount of cinnamon because I like the flavor it gives and after all this is called “Cinnamon Crunch Granola.”

I’m am pretty sure after making this you will:

1. Have no self control not to eat it all in a day
2. Never look at store bought granola the same because homemade fresh granola is superior to anything store bought
3. The fragrance of oaty-cinnamon while the granola bakes alone will make you want to continue making this on the regular, the smell is truly pure bliss!

How To Make Cinnamon Crunch Granola

To make this granola, toss oats, coconut, buckwheat groats, cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberries, walnuts and pumpkin seeds into a large bowl. You can get creative here and swap in different nuts or dried fruit.

The peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, oil, water and dates all go in the blender. Once blended the dates might remain a little chunky and that’s okay. Pour this over the oat mixture. Mix well.

On a cookie sheet pour mixture and spread out evenly. Try not to spread out too thin, you want some thickness to the granola. Bake until slightly golden on the edges.

That’s it! You’ve got yourself about 4 cups of fresh homemade granola!

PRO TIP: Once you cook the granola you need to let the granola cool completely before breaking it apart. Cooled granola holds together and gives you those big clustery bites, yum!

So now that you’re on board for using the buckwheat groats and I’ve sold you on the fact that store bought granola is just mediocre.  Let’s make this super addicting and healthy granola!

Remember to tag #platefulnutrition on IG if you make the recipe!