Menu
Cart

Kylee Kilgore

About Kylee Kilgore

http://bakingbreakfastwithnerds.wordpress.com

Posts by Kylee Kilgore:

Build-Your-Own Sparkling Tea

, , , , 0

Build-Your-Own Sparkling Tea

Refreshing tea for the morning or anytime of the day, made with the flavors you want.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tbsp Water
  • 2 bags Tea of choice
  • 2 tbsp Syrup of choice
  • 12 oz Sparkling water of choice

Instructions
 

  • In a cup or bowl, heat 4 tbsp of water just until boiling.
  • Add the tea bags and let sit for 10 minutes.
  • While the tea is steeping, add ice and your syrup to a drinking glass.
  • When tea is done, add it to your drinking glass.
  • Top off with your sparking water, stir and enjoy!
IMG_0331

Morning Sweet Buns

, 0

  Prep Time: 30 minutes  Serving Size: Varies

Ingredients:

  • 2 C Flour
  • 1/2 t Salt
  • 1/4 oz Instant Yeast
  • 1 T Sugar
  • 5 T Butter (Soft)
  • 1/2 Egg or 1 T
  • 1/4 C Milk lukewarm
  • Jam of choice

Instructions:

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer or a regular bowl add your flour, butter, egg, sugar and salt. Mix just until combined.
  2. With the hook attachment or your clean hands add your yeast, milk, and just enough jam to color the dough.
  3. Knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball.
  4. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  5. Once doubled in size preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  6. Shape your dough into equal size football shaped balls. Optionally, you can add the “seeds” on the top with a small amount on the dough and a little bit of water to make them stick.
  7. Cover and let the dough rise about 15-20 minutes.
  8. Bake for approx. 10 minutes or until slightly golden on top.
  9. Once baked allow to cool completely cool.
  10. Once cooled, fill a piping bag with your jam of choice.
  11. Enjoy!

*Depending on size of buns the baking time may vary. I usually make them about the size of a biscuit.

* You can also fry them instead if you would like a more donut like taste.

[object Object]
IMG_0243

Maple + Bacon

, 0

        I do not typically have Sundays off working in food service, so when I saw I was off, I knew we had to try a new place. This place is in the heart of the Aberdeen neighborhood of Valparaiso, IN. It is a charming brick building with vintage charm. Upon walking in, you are transported to a homestyle, cozy feel that screams breakfast.
        For Christmas, all the staff were dressed up in Christmas attire, making the atmosphere fun. For drinks, they have a massive selection of crafted cocktails designed for each year’s season. I ordered the Coffee and Donuts cocktail with tiramisu liqueur, baileys, chocolate bitters, and more. My Fiancé ordered the Puff the Magic Dragon cocktail, which had Screwball whisky, Recces puffs, and more. They were strong but sweet and delicious, a much-needed holiday pick-me-up.
       I ordered the Cinnamon Crunch French Toast for food—four pieces of sweet, crunchy goodness. Every bite has pieces of cinnamon toast, crunch cereal, and syrup. I also ordered a side of hashbrowns to cut the sweetness of everything I ate. They were made with minced onion and were super crispy, which is hard to do.
        My Fiancé ordered the Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits and Chorizo Gravy. The flavor of this dish was an explosion in my mouth. It was not very spicy, which is not what I was expecting, but it still had enough kick to taste. I am very sensitive about spice, but I would absolutely order this on my own sometimes.
        Overall, this place is a must for everyone. With a warm, cozy atmosphere and a unique menu, there is something for the whole family. I would 100% recommend this to anyone in the area or visiting.

IMG_0223

Horizon Line Coffee

, 0

       This month, my Fiancé and I returned to our hometown to see family and do an early Christmas. In the area, we always make at least one stop at one of our favorite coffee shops, Horizon Line. Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, this cute place has everything coffee you could ever want. They even put your coffee in sustainable glass you can take home with you and fill up when you come back.
       I have been feeling under the weather, so I ordered tea this time. It was a black tea with notes of passion fruit and mango. The flavor was light and soothing on my throat. Every tea I have had from here is always delicious.
       If you want something unique, they always have a seasonal menu with many flavors complimenting the time of year. My fiancé got a hot chocolate that had curry powder, ginger, and other spices in it. The spices gave the hot chocolate a slightly earthy feel while still being sweet on the front end.
       Overall, this place is a must for a unique and sustainable coffee/tea experience. Stop in for a quick grab or stay and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.

IMG_0143

Wake N’ Bacon

, 0

        Two weekends ago, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my Fiancé’s good friends from Iowa and his wife for brunch in Chicago. They came down for the weekend for an anniversary trip. We’ve driven past this place multiple times, and I have always wanted to try it, but they are always busy. This place is a casual sit-down, and order on your phone type of place, but the decor is almost the opposite. The flowers and fixtures hanging from the ceiling give it a slightly upscale vibe.

        I ordered the menu item called The Phatty. It’s a burrito with rice, black beans, potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese. The unique combo of the rice and black beans made me want to order it even more. This was one of the best breakfast burritos I have ever had—the unique flavor made for a blast in every bite. The bacon was thick, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. I highly recommend this item.

        My Fiancé ordered the menu item called The Cheez and Chong. This consisted of a grilled cheese with caramelized onions, bacon jam, and chipotle mayo. Anything with caramelized onions already has my 10/10 vote. Every flavor melts in your mouth. The crispy bread complimented the filling like any other grilled cheese. If I were not mildly lactose intolerant, I would chow down.

        Overall, this place was just the brunch spot we needed. It was casual yet slightly upscale, giving lazy or hungover people a pass-on dress. The menu was super unique and offered funky twists on classics. If you are ever in the Lakeview area, check it out.

image000000 (2)

Cactus Juice Margarita

, 0

When I started this blog, I knew I wanted to include this recipe. It is a super fun take on a margarita for a brunch twist. You can even make this not alcoholic for kids or anyone who does not drink. Avatar, the Last Airbender, was the first anime that I watched when I was a kid, and it was for several anime lovers. This drink takes me back to watching this episode and laughing. Although, unlike the show, this drink does not have hallucinogenic effects.

Prep/Make Time: 5 minutes  Serving Size: 1 

Ingredients:

  • 1 prickly pear (green or red)
  • 1/4 c filtered water
  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1 oz of triple sec
  • 2 oz tequila
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • tsp agave syrup (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Cut a small slit into the prickly pear, peel and place into a blender
  2. Add the water, lime juice, and optional agave syrup and blend until smooth
  3. Strain with cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer
  4. In a shaker combine all the ingredients with ice and shake
  5. Pour over ice and enjoy

 

IMG_0041 (1)

Viking Chili Bowl

, 0

        On my way to work, I have passed this place many times. The only time I have ever not seen the parking lot full or almost full is when it is closed. Yesterday, I had to take my Fiancé to work early, so we thought we would stop by and finally try it. When you walk in, you get the classic feel of a local staple restaurant that has been around for a long time. They offer bar seating or tables and booths. My fiancé and I sat at a booth.
        For the meals, we both wanted to try something unique to the place’s menu. My fiancé got the Mexican skillet. It came with taco meat, hashbrowns, eggs, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and jalapenos. He is not a huge fan of veggies, but I encouraged him to only opt out of one veggie. He also does not like eggs, so he did not get them either. The meat had a ton of flavor that complimented well with the hashbrowns and veggies. It is a must-try for anyone who loves tacos and breakfast.
        For my meal, I ordered the chili cheese omelet. It was a giant omelet, and I recommend splitting with someone if you can. The flavor of the chili was exploding but not too spicy, which I enjoyed. It also had a ton of cheese, which all omelets should have. If I were not mildly lactose intolerant, I would always order this. It came with hashbrowns, which were typical. Although, I would order them crispy next time. This meal was very unique and is a must for anyone.
        Overall, this place lives up to its reputation. They have a unique menu with many classics as well. Giving off a cozy, welcoming atmosphere has made this place a hit. It is also pretty good on the wallet, which is always a bonus. Check it out!

IMG_0006

Fabcakes

, 0

        Today, I was off work on a Tuesday, so I got to go with my Fiancé to Chicago. His office is in River North, so I knew I needed to try a coffee shop. Online reviews guided me to a charming, European-style cafe. Walking in, you feel transported to Europe with the art on the walls and the small, cozy atmosphere. The owner is actually from Poland, which makes this place even more authentic to the vibe.
        For food, I just ordered a chocolate croissant. The croissant was one of the best I have ever had. It’s not very sweet but also packs a punch with the dark chocolate that you would expect. It’s also super crunchy and flakey, which is the best part of a croissant.
        For the drink, I ordered a lavender latte. I always get one if I see them on a menu because they are a unique flavor many places do not have. Right away, without even tasting, you can smell the lavender. The taste is out of this world. The espresso is some of the best I have ever tasted—such a bold flavor profile. The lavender taste brings warmth to the drink and makes it a light beverage with a hint of sweetness. A must-try beverage.
        Overall, this place is a must if you are in the area. The atmosphere, food, and drinks make it one of the best coffee shops I have ever visited. The owner has hit the nail with this place.

IMG_7969

Uptown Cafe

, 0

        Even though we have lived in Valparaiso, IN, for a little over a year, we still find places we have yet to try. We have passed this place too often in the car but have continued. This time, we stopped. The decor and atmosphere give a minimalistic modern vibe, which offers a calm feel. This would be a great place to work or study for the day.
        The drinks are the first great thing about the menu. They offer a wide range of coffee, tea, and Italian soda. They even have pour-over coffee pots and tea kettles for all-day stays. I ordered the dark mocha, which was just the pick-me-up for the early morning. It is not too sweet for people who find regular mocha too rich. They even add a touch of latte art every time they dine in.
        For breakfast food, I got the sausage biscuits and gravy. The biscuit was light and airy, which complemented the gravy just right. The gravy had the right amount of spice and the right amount of sausage. It’s one of the best biscuits and gravy I have ever had. They also have breakfast sandwiches on the menu and an array of pastries.
        Overall, this place has everything for breakfast anyone could ever want. I would come here way more often if my bank account would allow me. If you are ever in Valparaiso, you should check it out.

     

     

IMG_7964

Second Breakfast

0

        When I first started this blog a little less than a year ago, I knew for sure that it needed a hobbit breakfast. I have watched Lord of the Rings several times and read the books, so all I had to do was research. Hobbits eat a total of 7 meals throughout the day. The most important one of the day is their second meal, the second breakfast. Bilbo has always been a huge fan of Second Breakfast. He loves making cakes that compliment the savory aspects of a traditional English breakfast in our world. Hobbits are also collectors of honey and use it in many recipes.

    Choosing a cake was not a small feat. Bilbo makes way too many and loves to share them with everyone, not just in the Shire. I ended up making seed cake. A quick bread made with lemon and caraway seeds. The cake was super light and moist even though my love did not rise very much. Also, I could not find caraway seeds at my local grocery store, so I ended up using fennel seeds, which tasted great. I paired the cake with strawberry jam and honey. Having never made this cake before, I used a recipe from www.feastofstarlight.com. This recipe was super easy to follow, and made a delicious cake that I would 100% make again!

    For the main part of the breakfast, I went to traditional English breakfast: sausage links and scrambled eggs. I used the Bob Evans uncooked sausages and cooked them to the packing instructions. Now, my scrambled eggs are one of the things I believe I make best. I make them very simple with just salt, pepper, and a splash of milk. The secret to my scrambled eggs is that I blend them up in a blender for a few seconds. This makes them very fluffy and delicious. Everyone should make them this way.

    Overall, I would do all of this again. It was one of the best breakfasts I have had in quite a while. Also, this would make great marathon food if you ever embarking on that long quest. 

Load More