MyPlate-Inspired Breakfast Recipes

1405 MP: Lemon-Poppy Seed Pancakes with Blueberry Compote

There's no excuse to miss the most important meal of the day with our favorite MyPlate-inspired breakfast recipes.

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Start Your Day with a Nutritious Breakfast

Photo: Randy Mayor

Cooking Light is working with the Partnership for a Healthier America and USDA’s MyPlate to give anyone looking for healthier options access to thousands of recipes that will help them create healthy, tasty plates. For more information about creating a healthy plate, visit the MyPlate website.

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Eggs Blindfolded over Garlic Cheddar Grits

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Eggs Blindfolded over Garlic Cheddar Grits

Blindfolded eggs are a short-order cook’s version of poached eggs. The grits in this recipe make a divine bed for the perfectly cooked eggs.

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Quick Breakfast Burritos

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Quick Breakfast Burritos

We love how easy it is to take this breakfast on the road. A full breakfast wrapped up in a nice neat little package—and it tastes delicious too.

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Libanais Breakfast

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Libanais Breakfast

This Middle Eastern-inspired breakfast is a popular selection at Medina, a Belgian breakfast spot in Vancouver, where the dish includes a boiled egg and three salads—tabbouleh, cucumber salad, and baba ghanoush—complemented with crisp pita toasts. Our simplified version features just one salad: tabbouleh.

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Blueberry-Passion Fruit Smoothie

Photo: William Dickey

View Recipe: Blueberry-Passion Fruit Smoothie

With plenty of fruit, fiber, and protein, this quick shake is a sweet snack you can feel good about. You can also enjoy a larger serving as a healthful breakfast. Look for canned passion fruit nectar with other bottled and canned juices or in the Latin food section of your grocery store. If you can't find it, substitute pineapple juice.

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Egg White and Sun-Dried Tomato Frittata

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Egg White and Sun-Dried Tomato Frittata

The frittata gets a healthy makeover by only using egg whites instead of the whole egg. Also, you can substitute feta if ricotta salata is unavailable.

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Three-Grain Breakfast Cereal with Walnuts and Dried Fruit

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Three-Grain Breakfast Cereal with Walnuts and Dried Fruit

This mixture of barley and oats with nuts and raisins will keep you going all morning. Walnuts provide omega-3 fatty acids, but pecans also work nicely in this high-fiber cereal. Serve with yogurt or milk, and top with fresh fruit.

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Mushroom Frittata

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Mushroom Frittata

This vegetarian egg recipe is ideal for a light breakfast or brunch, but you can also serve it for dinner paired with a simple side salad.

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Baked Egg-in-a-Hole

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Baked Egg-in-a-Hole

These bacon-and-egg toasts make for a fun breakfast or easy dinner. This kid-friendly recipe is sure to be a hit, any time of day.

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Banana Breakfast Smoothie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Banana Breakfast Smoothie

This breakfast smoothie is loaded with protein and easy to take along with a handful of granola for a quick breakfast on the go. Adding the yogurt at the very end imparts a creamy texture to the smoothie.

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Baked Oatmeal

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Baked Oatmeal

Try baked oatmeal for an unexpected morning treat. It's a mix between an oatmeal bar and traditional creamy breakfast oatmeal.

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Summer Vegetable Frittata

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Summer Vegetable Frittata

Garden-fresh summer vegetables will make this frittata a special breakfast or brunch treat.

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Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche

We like the creamy, custardy consistency of this quiche when it's baked for 35 minutes. If you prefer a firmer texture, bake an additional 5 minutes.

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Tony's Breakfast Couscous

Photo: Lee Harrelson

View Recipe: Tony's Breakfast Couscous

You can prepare this dish the night before and serve warm or cold. The recipe is easy to double to serve more people. Use any combination of dried fruits you like–cherries, apples, blueberries, or raspberries. You can substitute one cup fat-free milk for dry, and decrease the water to 1/4 cup.

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Classic French Omelet

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Classic French Omelet

Pull the pan off the heat as needed, while stirring, to control how fast the eggs cook. The finished omelet should be golden outside and unbrowned, while still creamy at the very center.

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Cinnamon Banana Crunch Bowl

Photo: Kang Kim

View Recipe: Cinnamon Banana Crunch Bowl

Mix up your oatmeal routine with bulgur in this crunch bowl. The results are a quick and easy breakfast of champions.

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Baked Eggs en Cocotte with Onions

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Baked Eggs en Cocotte with Onions

Keep an eye on the eggs as they cook, bearing in mind that cook times vary depending on the thickness of the ramekins and your personal preference for the texture of the eggs.

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Blackberry-Mango Breakfast Shake

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Blackberry-Mango Breakfast Shake

Silken tofu gives this drink a smooth, creamy consistency. If you don't like the seeds in blackberries, substitute frozen blueberries.

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Fingerling Potato-Leek Hash with Swiss Chard and Eggs

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Fingerling Potato-Leek Hash with Swiss Chard and Eggs

Comfort food isn't strictly reserved for dinnertime. Start your day with something warm and delicious to keep you fueled throughout the morning. To trim Swiss chard, pull or cut the stems out of the leaves. The dish goes from stovetop to tabletop using just one pan.

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Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Fig and Honey

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Fig and Honey

These sandwiches are equally good for breakfast or dinner. Mixing honey with the goat cheese makes it easier to spread over the cinnamon-raisin bread.

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Gingered Carrot Smoothies

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Gingered Carrot Smoothies

Start your morning off with a tasty smoothie full of veggies and fresh ginger.

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Breakfast Quinoa

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Breakfast Quinoa

Like most whole grains, quinoa is surprisingly filling, but if you need more for breakfast, serve with an egg on the side.

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Sunflower Granola Breakfast Parfaits

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Sunflower Granola Breakfast Parfaits

To make this portable breakfast a snap, prepare the granola in advance and store it in an airtight container. Be sure to keep a close eye on the broiler so the granola doesn't burn. You can also sub pitted fresh cherries or any ripe berry for the raspberries.

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Watermelon, Cucumber and Mint Smoothies

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Watermelon, Cucumber and Mint Smoothies

The sweet taste of watermelon and cucumbers mix deliciously with creamy Greek yogurt and fresh mint in this easy-to-make smoothie.

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Mango Lassi Smoothie

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Mango Lassi Smoothie

Chop and freeze the mangoes the night before to cut down on morning prep time.

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Nutty Whole-Grain Granola

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Nutty Whole-Grain Granola

This granola is fantastic on its own, but is also great on top of yogurt for a hearty breakfast on the go.

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Steel-Cut Oats with Cinnamon-Blueberry Compote

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Steel-Cut Oats with Cinnamon-Blueberry Compote

Prepare the blueberry mixture and the oats the night before and refrigerate. In the morning, simply cook the compote and finish the oatmeal. Easy-peasy!

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Herby Frittata with Vegetables and Goat Cheese

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Herby Frittata with Vegetables and Goat Cheese

Take ten minutes at night to blanch the asparagus and create the egg mixture. All you'll have to do in the morning is cook the frittata, and ta-da! You've got a delicious and nutritious breakfast.

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Huevos Rancheros Wraps

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Huevos Rancheros Wraps

Turn breakfast into a fiesta with these flavor-filled wraps. If you make the salsa before bed, your morning prep time is next to nothing.

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Strawberry Cream Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Strawberry Cream Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

Standard toaster waffles get a tasty upgrade in this easy-to-prepare breakfast dish.

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Whole-Wheat, Buttermilk, and Orange Pancakes

Photo: Raymond Hom

We've updated Bill and Cheryl Jamison's fantastic

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Shakshuka

Photo: Helene Dujardin

View Recipe: Shakshuka

Don't let the funny name deter you; this dish is a delicious way to get vegetables with your breakfast.

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Breakfast Tortilla

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Breakfast Tortilla

This hearty, open-faced omelet, called a tortilla, uses potatoes inside instead of serving them on the side. This omelet maximizes flavor with Yukon Gold potatoes, fresh tomatoes, and Manchego cheese.

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Apple-Stuffed Strata

Photo: Johnny Miller

View Recipe: Apple-Stuffed Strata

A layer of sweet, baked apples and crunchy pecan topping helps this breakfast bread pudding shine. Last-minute prep couldn't be simpler: Just add a dusting of sugar and nuts.

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Citrus Waffles with Marmalade Compote

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Citrus Waffles with Marmalade Compote

Marmalade and citrus makes for just the right combination of sweet, tangy, and tart whole wheat waffles. Sift powdered sugar over the top of the waffles for an excellent start to your morning.

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Blueberry Pancakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Blueberry Pancakes

A time-honored pancake filler, blueberries not only add natural sweetness, but pack in antioxidants as well.

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Cucumber, Apple, and Mint Cooler

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Cucumber, Apple, and Mint Cooler

Drink this to boost your daily veggie count: Each serving of this smoothie offers a half-cup of vegetables, plus a little fruit.

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Carrot Cake Pancakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Carrot Cake Pancakes

Stuffed with toasted walnuts, shredded carrots, and all the spices found in carrot cake, these light buttermilk pancakes are a guilt-free breakfast pleasure. Top with some homemade honey butter or light pancake syrup.

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Spinach-Cheese Bake

Photo: Bob Esparza

View Recipe: Spinach-Cheese Bake

You can assemble the spinach and cheese casserole in less than 10 minutes by using preshredded cheeses. The casserole's spinach, cheese, and nutmeg ingredient combination produces a rich layer of flavor that everyone will love. Pair this dish with fresh fruit salad and mini muffins for a lovely brunch.

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Three-Grain Breakfast Cereal with Walnuts and Dried Fruit

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Three-Grain Breakfast Cereal with Walnuts and Dried Fruit

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Peach-Mango Smoothie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Peach-Mango Smoothie

You're only 2 minutes and 5 ingredients away from enjoying this fruit-packed, energy-boosting smoothie.

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Mixed Berry Crepes

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Mixed Berry Crepes

Frozen berries make these sweet crepes a year-round treat, not just a seasonal splurge. Prepare and refrigerate the filling up to a day ahead.

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Pain Perdu

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Pain Perdu

Pain Perdu—literally "lost bread"—was traditionally a simple breakfast of day-old French bread dredged in beaten eggs and pan-fried in butter. Our lightened version is a 5-star hit with the addition of blueberry sauce.

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The Cheesy, Hammy Euro Special

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: The Cheesy, Hammy Euro Special

Skip the fast food drive-thru in the morning and make your own breakfast sandwich at home with significantly less fat and salt.

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Coconut-Banana Grape-Nuts with Lime

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Cindy Barr

View Recipe: Coconut-Banana Grape-Nuts with Lime

Bananas, coconut flakes, and macadamias make these crunchy wheat-and-barley nuggets with 49g whole grains a little nutty and a little sweet.

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Creamy 7-Grain with Goat Cheese, Yogurt, and Fig

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Cindy Barr

View Recipe: Creamy 7-Grain with Goat Cheese, Yogurt, and Fig

Whole-grain wheat, rye, oats, triticale, barley, brown rice, oat bran, and flaxseed pack a punch of texture and 37g whole grains per serving. Add fresh figs if you have them on hand.

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Savory Buckwheat with Tomato, Cheddar, and Bacon

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Cindy Barr

View Recipe: Savory Buckwheat with Tomato, Cheddar, and Bacon

This gluten-free, polenta-like cereal packs 41g whole grains into one serving.

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Crunchy Peanut Butter Bulgur with Berries

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Cindy Barr

View Recipe: Crunchy Peanut Butter Bulgur with Berries

This grain works while you sleep—a no-cook cereal with 40g whole grains per serving.

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Rolled Oats with Carrot and Apple

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Cindy Barr

View Recipe: Rolled Oats with Carrot and Apple

Sugar and spice make whole grains extra nice especially in this mix of oats, wheat, barley, and rye that's stacked with 37g whole grains per serving.

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Creamy Wheat with Pear and Ginger

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Cindy Barr

View Recipe: Creamy Wheat with Pear and Ginger

Creamy Wheat with Pear and Ginger loads 42g whole grains into each packet and is ready in just 1 minute.

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Rasberry-Ricotta Waffle

Photo: Grant Cornett; Styling: Alistair Turnbull

View Recipe: Rasberry-Ricotta Waffle

Naturally sweet raspberry preserves combined with part-skim ricotta cheese is dolloped on top of a whole-wheat waffle to satisfy you and keep you full all morning. Serve with a side of fruit for a complete breakfast.

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Steel Cut Oats with Warm Berry Compote

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Cindy Barr

View Recipe: Steel Cut Oats with Warm Berry Compote

Warm berries are poured over steel cut oats to create a sweet treat in a healthy breakfast bowl with 41g whole grains per serving.

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Cherry Almond Ricotta Drop Scones

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Cherry Almond Ricotta Drop Scones

Reserve half of the citrusy-sweet ricotta mixture to dollop over the warm scones. These crumbly, cakelike biscuits are best enjoyed the day they are made.

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Tortilla Española

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Tortilla Española

Shaking the pan helps prevent the omelet from sticking while allowing the egg and potato mixture to cook together.

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Citrusy Banana-Oat Smoothie

Photo: Iain Bagwell

View Recipe: Citrusy Banana-Oat Smoothie

Make morning prep even faster by freezing the banana and cooking and refrigerating the oatmeal the night before.

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Mushroom, Gruyère, and Spinach Quiche

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Mushroom, Gruyère, and Spinach Quiche

Light yet luscious, this veggie-filled custard is a 317-calorie slice of heaven that's worthy of a starring role on your spring brunch menu.

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Green, Egg, and Ham Waffle

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Green, Egg, and Ham Waffle

A riff on the classic ham-and-egg duo, our Green, Egg, and Ham Waffle features a little avocado, cilantro, and prosciutto for a savory, energizing breakfast.

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Creamy Coconut-Citrus Waffle

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Creamy Coconut-Citrus Waffle

With the combination of orange, macadamia nuts, maple syrup, and coconut, you’ll savor every last bite of this sweet, zesty waffle.

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Berry and Browned Butter Waffle

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Berry and Browned Butter Waffle

Fresh is always better. Instead of topping off our waffle with traditional preserves and syrup, we opted for fresh strawberries for antioxidants, and almonds for a protein boost.

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Lemon-Poppy Seed Pancakes with Blueberry Compote

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Lemon-Poppy Seed Pancakes with Blueberry Compote

Weekend breakfasts should feel special. Make a double batch and freeze the extras, and weekday mornings can feel special too.

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MyPlate-Inspired Breakfast Recipes

1 of 61

Start Your Day with a Nutritious Breakfast

2 of 61

Eggs Blindfolded over Garlic Cheddar Grits

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Quick Breakfast Burritos

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Libanais Breakfast

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Blueberry-Passion Fruit Smoothie

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Egg White and Sun-Dried Tomato Frittata

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Three-Grain Breakfast Cereal with Walnuts and Dried Fruit

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Mushroom Frittata

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Baked Egg-in-a-Hole

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Banana Breakfast Smoothie

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Baked Oatmeal

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Summer Vegetable Frittata

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Spinach, Green Onion, and Smoked Gouda Quiche

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Tony's Breakfast Couscous

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Classic French Omelet

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Cinnamon Banana Crunch Bowl

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Baked Eggs en Cocotte with Onions

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Blackberry-Mango Breakfast Shake

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Fingerling Potato-Leek Hash with Swiss Chard and Eggs

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Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Fig and Honey

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Gingered Carrot Smoothies

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Breakfast Quinoa

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Sunflower Granola Breakfast Parfaits

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Watermelon, Cucumber and Mint Smoothies

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Mango Lassi Smoothie

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Nutty Whole-Grain Granola

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Steel-Cut Oats with Cinnamon-Blueberry Compote

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Herby Frittata with Vegetables and Goat Cheese

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Huevos Rancheros Wraps

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Strawberry Cream Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

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Whole-Wheat, Buttermilk, and Orange Pancakes

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Shakshuka

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Breakfast Tortilla

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Apple-Stuffed Strata

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Citrus Waffles with Marmalade Compote

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Blueberry Pancakes

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Cucumber, Apple, and Mint Cooler

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Carrot Cake Pancakes

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Spinach-Cheese Bake