It’s been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We find that’s equally true whether you have it in the morning or enjoy your favorite flapjacks and French toast for dinner. Tonight, skip the bacon and sausage and enjoy a meatless brinner (breakfast for dinner) with these rise-and-shine recipes:
1. Vegans and vegetarians alike can dig into this Vegan Banana-Almond French Toast. Blend up a savory, sweet batter of mashed bananas, almond milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon and shredded coconut and get your griddle ready for some fast action. If you happen to find yourself with some leftover bananas and a bit of soy milk, whip up Vegan Whipped Cream for a finishing touch.
2. Is there a better smell than that of baking cinnamon? We didn’t think so. Whisk together pancake mix and mashed bananas, along with a generous portion of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and then roll into Banana Sticky Buns. Fill cups of muffin pans with chopped pecans, nestle in the dough balls and pop then in the oven for a sweet brinner treat in less than 20 minutes. Bonus: These are gluten-free, too.
3. It is so very easy to be green with Avocado Pancakes. Stir together verdant mashed avocado, an egg and lime juice for these funky flapjacks and garnish them with smoked salmon or capers for added flavor.
4. Extend your brinner feast to tomorrow morning with these Vegan Crepes with Cherry Sauce. Instant tapioca and applesauce partner up with soy milk and agave nectar to create a beautifully blended crepe batter. Word to the wise, though: plan ahead. This recipe calls for overnight refrigeration. Prepare tonight and make tomorrow’s weekday breakfast something special.
-photos by Carmen Troesser
This article appears in December 2014.