Breakfast for Dinner!

At the Original Pancake House in Denver, we believe breakfast is the best meal of the day.  It seems like a shame to only have breakfast once per day, so sometimes we like to make breakfast again and treat our family to ‘breakfast-for-dinner!’  If you like to have your bacon and eggs multiple times a day, here are a few great breakfast-for-dinner recipes to try!

Breakfast Burritos - Easy and fun to assemble, these breakfast burritos will be a crowd pleaser!  Choose your favorite fillings - eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, potatoes, cheese and then offer a variety of fun toppings like green chile sauce or salsa. Best of all, you can have the whole meal ready and on the table in 15 minutes. Here is an easy recipe courtesy of the Pioneer Woman and Food Network.  

Chicken and Waffles - Sweet and savory flavors meld oh-so-well in this classic southern dish.  Simply make your favorite waffles, pan fry a batch of chicken, and top it all off with syrup.  Kids will love the idea of pouring syrup all over their dinner and adults will love the homey goodness! Try this tasty classic recipe from Grandbaby Cakes.

Corned Beef Hash - A perfect winter warmer, corned beef hash makes a great meal any time of day.  To save time you can buy corned beef already prepared from your local deli.  Then simply bake with potatoes and seasonings, and top with a runny egg.  Yum!  Try this recipe from Bon Appetit.

If you need inspiration on more breakfast-for-dinner ideas, come on in to OPH and peruse our menu, we’re sure you’ll find plenty of good ideas for your next evening meal!  We hope to see you soon!


gruyere apple tarts

Cooking With Apples!

One of our favorite harbingers of fall is the August apple harvest.  Apples are such a versatile, delicious, and nutritious fruit and work well in all sorts of sweet and savory dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!  At The Original Pancake House, we love to incorporate apples into our Apple Pancake (7)breakfast and brunch dishes, for example our Apple Pancake – stacked high with fresh sliced Granny Smith apples and cinnamon glaze – can’t be beat! And our golden brown Belgian waffle with fresh minced Granny Smith apples baked inside and lightly dusted with pure Sinkiang cinnamon sugar, whipped butter and warm homemade apple syrup is a memorable apple treat.

 

Here are a few of our favorite fall apple recipes to try out this season:

 

Slow Cooker Apple Cider – Perfect for that first cool fall afternoon!

Ingredients:

  • 64 oz. apple cider
  • 6 chai tea bags
  • 2 Cinnamon sticks
  • 1 vanilla bean, split
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • Apple slices for serving
  • Cinnamon sticks for serving

 

Instructions:

Combine apple cider, chai tea bags, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla bean in slow cooker. Cook on low 3 to 4 hours. Discard tea bags; stir in lemon juice. Serve warm with apple slices and cinnamon stick.

 

Gruyere and Apple Tarts – These savory little tarts combine all the best flavors of fall with the 54eb50d8da22b_-_clv-gruyere-apple-tarts-recipe-clv0911-lgnperfect combination of sweet apples and savory cheese.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 small Yellow Onion
  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
  • 2 large Braeburn apples
  • 4 oz. Gruyère

 

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Sauté onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, on a work surface, roll out puff pastry to a 13 by 10 inch rectangle. Cut dough into four 6 ½ by 5 inch rectangles. Using a sharp knife, score 4 lines to create a  ½ inch border all the way around each tart. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking pan.
  3. Divide half of onion mixture among tarts. Layer apples in 3 slightly overlapping rows on each. Top with remaining onion mixture and cheese. Dot with remaining butter. Bake tarts until apples are tender and cheese is golden, about 20 minutes.

 

Candied Yams & Apples – This warming side dish goes perfectly with any fall supper and couldn’t be easier to make!

Ingredients:

  • 3 lb. yams
  • 1 lb. Granny Smith apples
  • 2 medium onions
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • ¼ c. Honey
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

 

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss all ingredients in a large bowl to combine. Transfer to a baking dish and bake, stirring occasionally, until yams are tender, about 1 hour. Increase oven to 500 degrees and bake until liquid evaporates and yams are browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

 

Happy fall, Denver!  We look forward to seeing you for breakfast in Denver soon!

 


parfait

Spooktacular Healthy Breakfast Treats!

It’s the time of year when ghosts and goblins pop up everywhere, pumpkins abound, and everyone is excited for Halloween! To get in the mood, we like to make all sorts of fun Halloween breakfasts treats at home.  Here are a few healthy ideas to add a little BOO to your breakfast!

parfait

Candy Corn Fruit Parfaits

  • 1 can (11 ounce) mandarin oranges
  • 1 can (20 ounce) pineapple chunks
  • 2 6-ounce containers of low-fat vanilla yogurt
  • candy corn pieces - for garnish

This is a fun and festive breakfast idea for the fall season - especially around Halloween. It’s ultra-fast to prepare and a healthy way to start the day. Fresh fruit could definitely be used in place of the canned fruit. Depending on the size of your glasses, this recipe makes 2 to 4 parfaits. Layer 1/3 of each glass with pineapple pieces, followed by an equal layer of mandarin oranges. Top each serving with a generous dollop of vanilla yogurt and a decorative piece of candy corn.

Terrifying Toast:

Trim a slice of toast to resemble a hand, foot or finger and then dollop strawberry or raspberry jam so it looks severed and bleeding. You can do the same thing with waffles and pancakes. For a quick, edible ghost, rip a small hole in a piece of toast to act as a mouth and then use chocolate chips or berries to make eyes.

Apple Monster Mouth!

These apple treats make a great Halloween-themed breakfast or snack – and they are healthy!  To prepare, cut applean apple into quarters and then take a slice out of each quarter.  Next, poke in almond slivers for the teeth.  Alternatively you can spread peanut butter in the inside of the “mouth” and use marshmallows as the teeth.

Every year at The Original Pancake House we like to dress up for the holiday, so if you join us for breakfast in Denver on the 31st, don’t forget to wear your costume!  Have a safe and happy Halloween, Denver!


blueberries

Winter Warmers – Breakfast ideas to warm even the coldest mornings!

blueberries-531209_1280

When the barometer dips and the winds howl, you often need a good reason to jump out of bed on a cold winter’s morning in Colorado.  Warm up your Denver breakfast table with a delicious meal to share with family and friends.  After all, breakfast is still the most important meal of the day!  Here are a few of our favorite recipes that will have you ready to rise and shine on even the frostiest mornings.

Heavenly Hot Chocolate

– For your kiddos, a warm cup of cocoa might be just the thing to jump-start the day.  Simply add ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ cup water, ¼ cup sugar, and salt to a medium sauce pan. Whisk over medium heat just until beginning to bubble. Whisk in 3 cups whole milk and 1 ½ cups half and half. Bring mixture to simmer. Remove from heat; whisk in 1 tsp. vanilla extract.   Serve with whipped cream!  And for the adults and coffee drinkers in the house, mix hot chocolate with coffee for a delicious mocha!

Steel Cut Oats –

A piping hot bowl of oatmeal is always a comforting treat on a chilly morning.  Simply prepare oats according to package instructions, add milk or buttermilk, and then top with a variety of delicious toppings.  Some of our favorite toppings include sliced apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg, or cranberries and pecans, or banana, golden raisins, and dried cherries.  It is always fun to play around with your favorite toppings to make the meal special.

Root Vegetable Hash and Eggs –

A warm veggie hash is always a great winter meal! Simply slice and dice your favorite root vegetables.  We like sweet potatoes, yellow potatoes, beets, and a little onion and garlic.  Season with salt, pepper and olive oil, spread evenly on a baking pan and roast in a 400 degree oven until veggies are soft.  Serve hash with your choice of fried or poached eggs for a colorful breakfast treat!

Scrambled Eggs with Spinach and White Cheddar Cheese –

The smell of scrambled eggs cooking in the skillet will rouse even the sleepiest bear out of hibernation!  We love to prepare classic scrambled eggs and add a little bit of spinach and white cheddar cheese to spice up this classic dish.  And of course we always serve our scrambies with a thick slice of toast!

Of course, if the kitchen is just too chilly to make your own breakfast, come visit your friends at Original Pancake House!  Join us at one of our two Denver restaurants to enjoy a variety of warming winter meals including our Green Chile Eggs Benedict, Cowboy Omelet, and of course our famous Apple Pancake!  Stay warm, Denver!


Meyer Lemon Strawberry Muffins

Say Hello to Spring!

We've been waiting all winter and spring has finally arrived.  Flowers are poking their green stems through the dirt, small blooms are popping up on sunny corners, and even the trees are starting to bud.  With spring comes the annual promise of fresh produce including asparagus, strawberries, green onions, rhubarb, peas, grapefruit, and a variety of spring greens.  To celebrate the return of warm weather, here are a few fresh and seasonal recipes for a delightful spring breakfast.

Artichoke Frittata

Ingredients

2 9 ounce boxes frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and quartered

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)

12 large eggs

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup grated pecorino-romano cheese

1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

1 pinch nutmeg

Salt and pepper

Lemon wedges, for serving

Spring greens, for serving

 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, toss the artichokes with the flour to coat.

2. In a medium ovenproof skillet, heat the EVOO, 4 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the artichokes and fry until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. In a bowl, beat together the eggs, cream, cheese, parsley and nutmeg; season with salt and pepper. Pour the eggs over the artichokes and cook until just set.

3. Transfer the frittata to the oven and bake until set and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool, then slice into quarters and serve with the lemon wedges and a side of fresh spring greens

 

Meyer Lemon Strawberry MuffinsMeyer Lemon Strawberry Muffins

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Zest and juice of one Meyer Lemon
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup buttermilk
2/3 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups chopped, fresh strawberries

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Position rack in center of oven. Butter or spray with a non-stick cooking spray 12 muffin cups. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl whisk together the egg, buttermilk, oil, Meyer Lemon juice and vanilla extract.

3. In another large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest. Gently fold in the berries. With a rubber spatula fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir only until the ingredients are combined. Do not over mix the batter.

4. Fill each muffin cup almost full of batter, using two spoons or an ice cream scoop. Place in the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for about 5 minutes before removing from pan.

 

Spring Asparagus and Bacon Hash

Ingredients

¼ pound bacon, cut into ¼-inch dice (pancetta is also a good idea)

1 pound fingerling potatoes, peeled, cut into ½-inch dice

1 small yellow onion, diced

½ pound asparagus ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch segments

salt and pepper

2 tablespoons butter

4 eggs

 

Directions

1. Add bacon to a large cast iron pan set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about ten minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

2. Add potatoes to the pan, stir well until they are coated in the rendered fat, and then spread them out into a single layer. Season with salt and pepper, and cook without stirring until lightly browned on the bottom. Using a spatula, flip the potatoes and cook until lightly browned. Continue this process until all sides are lightly browned, about 15 minutes total.

3. Add onion to the pan and stir well. Cook until onions are softened, about five minutes. Add the asparagus, stir well, and then cover the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is crisp and tender, five to eight minutes. Return the bacon to the pan, stir, and let cook for a minute until warm. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Serve with scrambled eggs, fried eggs or poached eggs.

 

Of course, if these recipes sound like too much work, why not take yourself out to breakfast in Denver?  At the Original Pancake House, we would be happy to serve you one of our spring favorites such as the Strawberry Belgian Waffles or our Florentine Omelet!  Happy spring!


Ingredients for Salsa

What’s cooking? The Original Pancake House Denver chefs share their favorite home recipes!

The chefs at The Original Pancake House Denver are up early every morning to create delightful breakfast treats for our customers.  Pancakes, crepes, waffles and omelets are hand-crafted and cooked to perfection by our hard-working team.  So what do our chefs do when they head home for supper?   They cook, of course!  Here are a few of their favorite recipes to make at home.  Read on as these dishes will warm you up on the coldest winter days!

 

Ceviche Recipe by Guillermo Jimenez

Ingredients

2 lbs. tilapia

5 tomatoes, diced

1 small onion, diced

1 carrot, shredded

2 cucumbers, diced

1 jalapeno, diced

1 bunch of cilantro

8 lemons, juiced

Salt to taste

 

Directions:

Bring a pot of water to a boil.  Place tilapia in boiling water for 3 minutes.  Once tilapia is cooked, shred the tilapia into a bowl and add the fresh lemon juice.  Stir to coat.  Place tilapia in the refrigerator for an hour.  After an hour, add remaining ingredients and salt to taste.  Allow the mixture time to marinate.  Enjoy on a tostada with sliced avocado.

 

The Original Pancake House Denver Chefs’ Homemade Salsa

Ingredients for Salsa!

 

Ingredients

4 tomatoes

1 jalapeno

1 onion

1 clove of garlic

 

 

Directions:

Grill or boil the tomatoes and jalapeno until soft.  Once soft, place all ingredients into blender and puree.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

 

We appreciate Guillermo and The Original Pancake House chefs sharing their kitchen secrets with us!  We are lucky to have such a talented team in the back of the house to bring you our much loved breakfast recipes.  What winter recipes are a staple in your home? Share them with us on Facebook @OPHDenver.