Post-workout snack? High-protein breakfast? Epic after school snack?

Who says that a food can’t fit into all of those categories! I have a whole arsenal of recipes that can apply to any food preference, any flavour preference, any “food-ism”. And one of the things that I know all too well is what it’s like to live with picky eaters. My family is amazing, but when it comes to their food preferences, picky doesn’t even begin to describe it.

It is for that exact reason why I have been hiding nutrients in their food for years (literally, decades). Like many people do with their kids, I have had to do that with fully grown adults. But hey, it works! And they are eating foods that they enjoy and that are good for them.

When I moved out with my boyfriend a few years ago, I started doing the same thing with him. I hide extra protein my chili (6 types of beans? Yes please!), use fermented foods whenever possible, and the amount of extra fibre that I can pack into a meal? Please! I am the master of this.

That’s the background that this recipe came from though. Having a household full of picky eaters who usually refuse to wake up in time to have a solid breakfast, I knew that I would have to get creative to get them to start pausing to eat in the mornings. But boy, did I ever find an effective way!

Turn breakfast into dessert (or maybe that should be dessert into breakfast…?). Serve breakfast cookies (the recipe I typically use measures in about 15 grams of protein per cookie)! Make biscuits that taste like dessert! Bake a nutrient-loaded pie! (For that one, think flavours like sweet potato and cinnamon.) If you make it so that they can’t bear that thought of missing that “treat” in the morning, they will never miss breakfast again. I was looking for a way to make foods that were "multi-purpose" (so foods that could work as a breakfast, but also maybe an afternoon snack, and maybe also a dessert). #LifeHack for saving time when you are raised with a large family.

These biscuits are filling and freezer friendly. Get your savory fix without adding any junk. This recipe is also completely variable. Feel free to charge out the ingredients to suit your own tastes. Or get really adventurous and add even more fibre! However you make these, I am sure that even the pickiest eaters in your households will be grabbing for these every morning on their way out the door.

Breakfast Protein Biscuits:

For the base biscuit:

·         1¾ cups plain 2% Greek yogurt

·         4 eggs

·         2½ cups all-purpose flour

·         ¼ cup ground flaxseed

·         1 tsp. garlic powder

·         ½ tsp. red pepper flakes

·         1 tbsp. baking powder

·         2 tsp. salt

What you use for the filling is completely up to you! These are a few of my own personal favourites.

Ham, Cheese & Chives:

·         1½ cups spinach, chopped and squeezed dry

·         ½ cup chives, finely diced

·         1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

·         ½ cup marble cheese, shredded

·         1 cup cooked ham, diced

Mediterranean Sausage:

·         1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

·         2 cups Italian sausage, cooked (casing removed)

·         1½ cups feta cheese

·         1½ cups spinach, chopped and squeezed dry

·         2 tsp. dried basil

These instructions work for whatever flavour combinations you can dream up!

1)    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper

2)    In a medium bowl, whisk the yogurt with the eggs

3)    In a separate bowl, mix the flour, flaxseed, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, baking powder and salt

4)    Slowly add the dry mix into the wet. Stir well until everything is combined

5)    Add the vegetables, herbs, cooked meat and 1 cup of the cheese. Mix until combined (use hands if needed)

6)    Lightly flour your hands and divide the dough into 12 round biscuits (~⅓ cup each). Place on a tray and top with remaining cheese

7)    Bake for 5 minutes at 400°F, then reduce to 350°F and bake for 20 minutes more. Remove from the oven when the bottoms are golden and tops lightly browned

For those people who just don't do mornings... will breakfast cookies get them moving?