Brunch Bonanza: 8 Healthy, Delicious DIY Recipes

Eight yummy, affordable dishes from Food Heaven Made Easy.

Food Heaven Made Easy to the Rescue - Whether you’re hosting a formal sit-down or throwing a casual day party, brunches are a great way to catch up with friends and family while indulging in yummy breakfast and lunch foods. Lucky for us, Wendy and Jessica of the cooking and nutrition Web series Food Heaven Made Easy shared some of their favorite healthy brunch recipes guaranteed to impress the guests at your next get together. By Patrice Peck (Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

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Food Heaven Made Easy to the Rescue - Whether you’re hosting a formal sit-down or throwing a casual day party, brunches are a great way to catch up with friends and family while indulging in yummy breakfast and lunch foods. Lucky for us, Wendy and Jessica of the cooking and nutrition Web series Food Heaven Made Easy shared some of their favorite healthy brunch recipes guaranteed to impress the guests at your next get together. By Patrice Peck (Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

Meet Wendy and Jessica - Nutritionista Wendy Lopez (left) and registered dietitian Jessica Jones (right) are the masterminds and hosts behind Food Heaven Made Easy, a Web series on a mission to bring healthy cooking to your kitchen. Armed with master’s degrees in nutritional science, these self-proclaimed “nutrition nerds” provide scientifically sound nutrition information while demonstrating how to prepare healthy, delicious and affordable meals. (Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy) 

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Meet Wendy and Jessica - Nutritionista Wendy Lopez (left) and registered dietitian Jessica Jones (right) are the masterminds and hosts behind Food Heaven Made Easy, a Web series on a mission to bring healthy cooking to your kitchen. Armed with master’s degrees in nutritional science, these self-proclaimed “nutrition nerds” provide scientifically sound nutrition information while demonstrating how to prepare healthy, delicious and affordable meals. (Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy) 

YUCCA-TOMATO BASIL FRITTATA - Ingredients: 8 medium eggs 1 cup yucca, boiled and cubed 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1/2 medium onion, chopped 2-3 of your favorite tomatoes, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices 10-15 leaves fresh basil 1/4 cup crumbled cheddar cheeseDirections: -Preheat oven to 400 F. -In a bowl, mix eggs and yucca cubes together. Set aside. -In a skillet, heat up olive oil under medium-high heat. -Add in garlic and onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes. -Add in egg mixture to the skillet. Cook for 5-8 minutes (or until the bottom starts to set.) -Turn off stove, and arrange tomato slices and basil leaves on top of the egg mixture. -Top with crumbled cheddar cheese. -Transfer skillet to heated oven, and bake at 400 F for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is crisp. -Add pinch of salt and pepper to taste. -Slice it up and enjoy!(Photo: Food Heav...

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YUCCA-TOMATO BASIL FRITTATA - Ingredients: 8 medium eggs 1 cup yucca, boiled and cubed 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1/2 medium onion, chopped 2-3 of your favorite tomatoes, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices 10-15 leaves fresh basil 1/4 cup crumbled cheddar cheeseDirections: -Preheat oven to 400 F. -In a bowl, mix eggs and yucca cubes together. Set aside. -In a skillet, heat up olive oil under medium-high heat. -Add in garlic and onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes. -Add in egg mixture to the skillet. Cook for 5-8 minutes (or until the bottom starts to set.) -Turn off stove, and arrange tomato slices and basil leaves on top of the egg mixture. -Top with crumbled cheddar cheese. -Transfer skillet to heated oven, and bake at 400 F for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is crisp. -Add pinch of salt and pepper to taste. -Slice it up and enjoy!(Photo: Food Heav...

JALAPEÑO CHICKPEA BURGERS RECIPE - Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chickpeas 1/4 cup shredded carrots 1 jalapeño, de-seeded and finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tablespoon flaxseed 1 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup rolled oats 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt to tasteDirections: -Blend all ingredients (except olive oil and oats) in a food processor or blender. -When finished blending, add in oats and manually stir until they are evenly distributed. -With your hands, form mini-burgers with the chickpea mix. Should yield 7-8 burgers. -Preheat oven to 400 F, and lightly oil a baking sheet with olive oil. -Bake for 7 minutes on each side, or until brown and crisp. Enjoy!(Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

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JALAPEÑO CHICKPEA BURGERS RECIPE - Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chickpeas 1/4 cup shredded carrots 1 jalapeño, de-seeded and finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tablespoon flaxseed 1 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup rolled oats 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt to tasteDirections: -Blend all ingredients (except olive oil and oats) in a food processor or blender. -When finished blending, add in oats and manually stir until they are evenly distributed. -With your hands, form mini-burgers with the chickpea mix. Should yield 7-8 burgers. -Preheat oven to 400 F, and lightly oil a baking sheet with olive oil. -Bake for 7 minutes on each side, or until brown and crisp. Enjoy!(Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

ONE POT PASTA - Ingredients: 12 ounces whole wheat spaghetti 5 cups water 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 large onion, thinly sliced 7-8 leaves of fresh basil 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 5-6 black olives 1 tablespoon oregano 1 tablespoon olive oil Pinch of salt and pepper Optional: 1 tablespoon of your favorite cheese (we used feta)Directions: -In a large skillet or flat pot, combine all ingredients except for the salt and cheese. -Boil the mixture on high heat (without a cover) for 12-15 minutes. Make sure to stir the pasta every 5 minutes. -When the pasta is al dente (aka firm but not hard) and most of the water has evaporated, turn off the heat. -Sprinkle some salt and top with fresh basil and cheese. Enjoy!(Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

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ONE POT PASTA - Ingredients: 12 ounces whole wheat spaghetti 5 cups water 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 large onion, thinly sliced 7-8 leaves of fresh basil 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 5-6 black olives 1 tablespoon oregano 1 tablespoon olive oil Pinch of salt and pepper Optional: 1 tablespoon of your favorite cheese (we used feta)Directions: -In a large skillet or flat pot, combine all ingredients except for the salt and cheese. -Boil the mixture on high heat (without a cover) for 12-15 minutes. Make sure to stir the pasta every 5 minutes. -When the pasta is al dente (aka firm but not hard) and most of the water has evaporated, turn off the heat. -Sprinkle some salt and top with fresh basil and cheese. Enjoy!(Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

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Celebrate National Vegetarian Month - October is also National Vegetarian Month! You don't have to be a vegetarian to try something new. Celebrate by cooking up a delish veggie-friendly brunch for friends. Try these quinoa-stuffed roasted tomatoes and check out other recipes by Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones of the Web series Food Heaven Made Easy. (Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

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QUINOA STUFFED ROASTED TOMATOES - Ingredients: 3 tomatoes 1 cup cooked quinoa 1/4 cup cooked black beans 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1/4 cup onions, finely chopped 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon olive oil Optional: Shaved ParmesanDirections: -Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out pulp with a spoon, leaving a 1/2-inch shell. -Invert onto paper towels to drain. (Store pulps for vegetable stock or other dishes.) -In a bowl, combine all ingredients (except tomatoes and Parmesan). -With a spoon, scoop the mixed ingredients into the tomatoes. Make sure they’re tightly stuffed. -Bake on a lightly oiled pan on 350 F for 30 minutes. -Let stuffed tomatoes cool for 5-10 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste and top with Parmesan and your favorite herbs!(Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

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KALE CAESAR SALAD WITH HOMEMADE VEGAN DRESSING AND CROUTONS - Ingredients For the Salad: 1/2 head of kale 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese For the dressing: 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon spicy mustard juice of 1/2 squeezed lemon 3 gloves finely chopped garlic (use a garlic press if you have it) 1/2 tablespoon onion powder freshly ground pepper to taste For the croutons: Whole wheat baguette (you only need a small piece) 1 teaspoon olive oil (if you have an oil spray, even better) Your favorite spicesDirections: -To make croutons, chop whole wheat baguette into 1/2-inch cubes -Leave on the counter overnight until they become hard/stale -Once bread is stale (note: it may take 2 days), place on a baking sheet and spray with olive oil. -Add your favorite seasonings (I added freshly ground pepper and oregano) -Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes ...

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KALE CAESAR SALAD WITH HOMEMADE VEGAN DRESSING AND CROUTONS - Ingredients For the Salad: 1/2 head of kale 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese For the dressing: 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon spicy mustard juice of 1/2 squeezed lemon 3 gloves finely chopped garlic (use a garlic press if you have it) 1/2 tablespoon onion powder freshly ground pepper to taste For the croutons: Whole wheat baguette (you only need a small piece) 1 teaspoon olive oil (if you have an oil spray, even better) Your favorite spicesDirections: -To make croutons, chop whole wheat baguette into 1/2-inch cubes -Leave on the counter overnight until they become hard/stale -Once bread is stale (note: it may take 2 days), place on a baking sheet and spray with olive oil. -Add your favorite seasonings (I added freshly ground pepper and oregano) -Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes ...

BAKED EGG IN AVOCADO RECIPE - Ingredients: 1 avocado 2 small eggs2 garlic cloves, sliced 3 cherry tomatoes, sliced 6-7 cilantro leaves Sprinkle of salt and pepperDirections: -Preheat the oven to 450 F. -Cut the avocado in half, and remove the pit. -Scoop out 2 tablespoons of avocado flesh from the center to make room for the egg. -Place avocado halves in a tight fitting oven-proof bowl. -Crack each egg into each avocado half. -Top with sliced garlic and tomatoes. -Bake at 450 F for 20-22 minutes (bake for less if you want runny eggs). -Top with fresh cilantro, salt and pepper. Enjoy!(Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

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BAKED EGG IN AVOCADO RECIPE - Ingredients: 1 avocado 2 small eggs2 garlic cloves, sliced 3 cherry tomatoes, sliced 6-7 cilantro leaves Sprinkle of salt and pepperDirections: -Preheat the oven to 450 F. -Cut the avocado in half, and remove the pit. -Scoop out 2 tablespoons of avocado flesh from the center to make room for the egg. -Place avocado halves in a tight fitting oven-proof bowl. -Crack each egg into each avocado half. -Top with sliced garlic and tomatoes. -Bake at 450 F for 20-22 minutes (bake for less if you want runny eggs). -Top with fresh cilantro, salt and pepper. Enjoy!(Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

KALE GUACAMOLE - Ingredients: 2 avocados 1 jalapeño (deseeded and chopped)1/4 red onion (chopped) 1 clove garlic (minced) 1/2 cup kale (finely chopped)1 lime 5 cherry tomatoes (halved)Salt and pepperDirections: Scoop avocado into a bowl. Add jalapeño, onions, and garlic to the bowl. Mash it up. Finely chop your kale and add it to the bowl. Mix and mash it up some more. Squeeze lime, add tomatoes, salt and pepper and mash again.(Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

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KALE GUACAMOLE - Ingredients: 2 avocados 1 jalapeño (deseeded and chopped)1/4 red onion (chopped) 1 clove garlic (minced) 1/2 cup kale (finely chopped)1 lime 5 cherry tomatoes (halved)Salt and pepperDirections: Scoop avocado into a bowl. Add jalapeño, onions, and garlic to the bowl. Mash it up. Finely chop your kale and add it to the bowl. Mix and mash it up some more. Squeeze lime, add tomatoes, salt and pepper and mash again.(Photo: Food Heaven Made Easy)

DIY BLACK BEAN VEGGIE BURGERS - Ingredients: 1 cup black beans 1/4 cup finely chopped onions 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell peppers 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 tablespoons ketchup 2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 teaspoon cayenne pepperDirections: -Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. -Pulse a few times to mix well. (If the your machine is not blending well, add a few spoons of water and continuously stir the mixture with a spoon while the blender/food processor is off to get a consistent texture. Then continue pulsing.) -After you get a consistent texture, scoop out the mixture into a bowl. -Form 4-5 patties with your hands. Sprinkle each side with some extra breadcrumbs for sturdiness. If you plan on eating them up right away, lightly oil a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes on each side at 450 F or un...

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DIY BLACK BEAN VEGGIE BURGERS - Ingredients: 1 cup black beans 1/4 cup finely chopped onions 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell peppers 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 tablespoons ketchup 2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 teaspoon cayenne pepperDirections: -Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. -Pulse a few times to mix well. (If the your machine is not blending well, add a few spoons of water and continuously stir the mixture with a spoon while the blender/food processor is off to get a consistent texture. Then continue pulsing.) -After you get a consistent texture, scoop out the mixture into a bowl. -Form 4-5 patties with your hands. Sprinkle each side with some extra breadcrumbs for sturdiness. If you plan on eating them up right away, lightly oil a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes on each side at 450 F or un...