Breakfast Tatortot Stir-fry

I love to eat oatmeal with fruit and nuts for breakfast, but my favorite is eating breakfast stir-fry.  My hubby, Greg, started making it for us several years ago and at first I thought he was crazy (probably what you are thinking also).  It isn't the typical breakfast food, but it is such a great way to start your day.  You are giving your body lots of protein, nutrients and vitamins to start your day.  We also like to cook it in our cast iron skillet so we get some extra iron.  I always feel best if I have stir-fry for breakfast.  Greg and I take turns making our own version of it.  Mine actually started as more of a hash brown dish back when we were eating eggs and ham, but now I have cut out the eggs and ham and put in yummy veggies along with a grain and beans.  So delicious and satisfying!  The fun thing about this breakfast is you can mix it up each time you make it.  I try different beans, grains and vegetables each time.  I love to put barley and frozen peas in it though!  So feel free to put the things you love in it and play around and have fun.  Also, play around with your own favorite seasoning and such.  Greg and I like to sprinkle ground flax seed before we eat it and I love to put hot sauce on mine! Be brave and give this a try.  Your body will thank you!  One more note, I don't use salt and pepper in this recipe, but feel free to add it if you want it.

Breakfast Tater tot Stir-fry
makes 2 large servings

20 tater tots
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced red pepper
3/4 cup green beans
3/4 cup barley
3/4 cup navy beans
handful of spinach, chopped
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp curry powder
1 tbsp black bean garlic sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
handful of spinach, chopped

Put tater tots in skillet and cover.  Cook on medium-high heat until soft enough to mash with the back of a spoon, stirring or shaking skillet occasionally.  When tater tots are soft, mash them up and add garlic, onion, pepper, green beans and barley and navy beans.  Stir it for about a minute. Add chili powder, curry powder, black bean paste and hoisin and stir it all into the vegetable well.  Stir-fry for a couple minutes until everything is heated through.  Turn off the heat and stir in spinach.  Let it sit for a minute to heat the spinach and then it is ready to serve. 

Bean Salad Sandwich

Ok, I've been seeing ads everywhere for chicken salad sandwiches lately.  The apples and grapes on the sandwiches look so good!!  But no chicken for me!  So... I have decided to create my own sandwich.  It actually turned out very well, at least in my opinion.  I am usually the only one around for lunch, but my husband took a bite the other day and thought it was good!  So here is an adventurous sandwich for all of you to try if you are brave enough.  I have made it a few times and can't wait to have it again soon!  A little note:  I have found this can be messy if you put too much on your sandwich -  pitas would work really well for this sandwich.

Bean Salad Sandwich
Makes 2 sandwiches (or 1 large sandwich)

1/4 cup chopped apple
12 grapes cut in 1/2
1 1/2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
1/3 cup navy beans
1 1/2 Tbsp. chopped celery
1 tsp chopped parsley
1 Tbsp. finely chopped onion
1 Tbsp. veganaise (more if you like)
salt and pepper to taste
handful of spinach

Mix all the ingredients together except for spinach.  Spread it on your favorite bread (pita would work really well with this because it can be a bit messy).  Top with spinach and enjoy!