If you’re anything like me, the Easter long weekend has snuck up on you from out of nowhere and you’re completely disorganized and utterly unprepared (oops, didn’t mean to be quite that confessional…).
But things have been a little busy. Contrary to popular belief, Spring – and not January – is the busiest time of year in the nutrition world so I’ve been spending lots of time with some great clients and we’ve also been preparing for year-end piano exams, a big school play, winding down the hockey season and ramping up for soccer season. Excitement abounds.
During the busy times, and conspicuous holiday weekends, I usually like to keep a few tricks up my sleeve to help us manage.
These little brunch bites are a great example. Super simple, healthy and wonderfully tasty, they’re not only perfect for a spring brunch but you can also serve them up any time of day as a delicious meal accompanied by a nice salad and maybe some brown rice (my husband recently bought a rice cooker. He’s been talking about it for five years; he calls it the longest one day purchase ever. Anyway, we’re going a little gaga over it – it works so well… perfect rendering every time and, here’s the kicker: $9!! love that…).
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1 large onion, chopped
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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6 eggs
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½ heaping cup ricotta cheese
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¼ cup milk
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¼ cup half and half (10% cream)
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300-400 grams smoked salmon (about 1 + ½ cups), chopped into bite size pieces
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2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
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½ tsp red chili pepper flakes, optional (you could also use 1 Tbsp lemon zest here if preferred for a different taste sensation)
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Sea salt and coarse black pepper to taste, keeping in mind that smoked salmon is cured with salt
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Heat oven to 350 F.
Sauté onion and garlic together over low-medium heat on the stove until translucent (about 5 minutes).
Meanwhile, whisk together eggs, milk and cream in a large bowl. Add ricotta cheese and combine. Add salmon, dill and pepper flakes and/or lemon zest and season according to taste.
Grease 12 muffin cups with olive oil and distribute mixture among cups.
Bake brunch bites for 20-30 minutes or until puffed and beginning to brown around the edges.
Happy Holidays to all who are celebrating Passover and Easter this Weekend!
are the work of Diana Poulin from the Muddy Waters Clay Studio in Vermont
Thanks Magic – they’re easy and versatile. Glad you enjoyed.
Thanks Kay – salmon is definitely at the top of our list… and so easy to prepare too. Have a great day –
Thanks Caroline ~ I hope your Easter was fun too!
Thanks so much for stopping by Terra ~ most appreciated! Have a great weekend.
Thanks Amy! It’s a nice combination dill and salmon isn’t it… one of my husband’s favourites too… :)
These would be perfect for any brunch, or even anytime :) They look fantastic!
Just look at that succulent salmon. I wish I had some right now, I don’t think I would return to work if I did though lol.
Such a great idea, Kelly , I love these! Simple, yet gourmet. Yikes, spring does sound pretty busy for you! Hope you had a wonderful Easter with the family. :)
Oh these would be amazing for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack! They really do sound wonderful:-) Take care, Terra
Dill and salmon go together so well! These sound great :) Happy Easter (a little late)!
Hi Angie; thanks so much ~ they’re pretty easy to eat indeed.
Have a gorgeous day!
Thanks Yummy! Have a great day :)
Thanks Alyssa… you know us moms have to have plenty of tricks up our sleeves in more ways than one! LOL.
Hope you’re having a brilliant weekend!
Thanks MJ – a little variation on my Eggs & Veggies to go… I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
Hee.hee… he can be a funny guy :)
I hope you’re having a relaxing, beautiful weekend Kristy and that the sun is shining bright in your corner ;-) xo
Thanks Ping…
Too funny what you say about the rice cooker… my husband keeps saying, ‘you know, asians eat rice *all* the time – even for breakfast!!” ;) That’s a hilarious gag with the identical cookers… you’re full of funny beans – I love it! :)
Hope your having a wonderful Easter weekend ~
I don’t think I’ve ever made a bun in my life (hot crosses or otherwise ;-). Ok, maybe once or twice.
Making your version of Yorkshire pudding tomorrow night!! My husband wondered whether you were from Yorkshire?
heehee, the ricotta makes for a velvety smooth finish… thanks Janet :)
Haha, you’re too kind…! Happy Easter to you as well ;-)
Yes, you’re absolutely right, these are very similar to the Eggs and Veggies to Go… just another idea on how you can vary the recipe… so many choices and so simple. Thanks Sissi ~ I hope you’re having a great weekend :)
me too… thanks KoKo – I hope you have a brilliant weekend too!
Yes, we make an effort to do more and more flourless recipes to minimize carbohydrate overload – even when using whole grains, this food class tends to be overrepresented in our diets… thanks Junia!
Hi Elly! Thanks so much ~ I hope you’re having a fun and sunny weekend.
Absolutely you could used canned salmon here. Homemade ricotta is divine – so many possibilities, so little time ;-). I hope you’re having a great weekend Eva!
Gorgeous! I would finish the whole plate in a minute!
Ah, salmon and dill. A perfect combination.
This is a great “trick up your sleve.” These look wonderful for entertaining or just for a lazy family breakfast over the break. I hope you enjoy your holiday weekend
Another yummy little breakfast! Love the salmon and eggs!
Ha! The longest one-day purchase ever. That is hilarious! And these sound like the perfect little brunch bite! I like the ricotta in the recipe especially. Delicious and so happy looking. :)
I love eggs! You sure have great ideas for brunch. And fuss-free too!
Hmm … it never occurred to me that having a rice cooker is an option. Over here, it’s the first thing you get when you move into your own home so it’s a very common gift at weddings :)
I remember a prank we played where every single guest gave the same make, model and color rice cooker at a friend’s wedding party. Cruel, I know but he can always get it changed for something else. :D
Have a blessed Easter, Kelly! xxoo
It’s really sneaked up on me too – It’s good friday tomorrow and I didn’t even make any hot cross buns yet :(
I think your little bites look great Kelly – and the dill is really the icing on the proverbial cake. I love dill – it goes perfectly, especially with something like this!
These sound absolutely wonderful. I could eat my weight in smoked salmon. Adding Ricotta to it just makes this sound even better :-D
I have forgotten to wish you a very happy Easter! (I can only blame your beautiful brunch bites; I was completely hypnotised :-) )
I have already bookmarked your cute baked eggs and veggies (aka egg muffins), so now I will have a big problem because these look equally gorgeous. Low-carb, bit filling snacks are so rare, so I am very grateful for this wonderful recipe.
I love smoked salmon, these look perfect for Easter weekend!
wow i love how these are flourless! protein rich too with the salmon, egg and ricotta. yay for buying a rice cooker! 9 dollars is quite a steal.
These look so good! I made something similar once but used filo pastry to hold it. Really craving brunch now…
Hi Kelly, another great recipe, and I think I’ll give it a try this weekend, thank you! I love that it has no crust! I think well drained canned salmon would work well in this recipe! You should try it with home made ricotta, it’s really incredible! Happy long weekend to you too!
Ah, what a revelation! I hadn’t thought about quinoa and other grains… (quinoa operates as a grain in my mind too). The rice cooker is so new to us that we’ve been doing repeats of brown and wild rice daily… (my husband has a double batch going every morning ;-) Brilliant idea with switching it up Sally! Will try it this weekend.
Smoked salmon has many health-building properties but it is quite salty (I should address that in the post) – so, in a perfect world, fresh uncured salmon is best.
Have a great long weekend Sally!
Haha, you must have gotten the higher end model ;-) you know we’re far too cheap for that :). Oh Lynn, you would have loved Diana’s pottery – so fresh and colourful – the next time your family travels to Jay Peak, I will pass along her address… Have a great long weekend sister – xo.
Thanks so much Mandy – have a wonderful weekend!
Love my rice cooker, even though it is the simplest model, and cooks a small amount of rice. Do you know it also works great for quinoa and other grains? (ooops, quinoa is not a grain, but looks so much like one… ;-)
lovely appetizer, for some reason I don’t use smoked salmon that much in cooking, not sure why…
I’m afraid you’re looking at my Easter menu – haha! :) Looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home with no ‘big’ plans. I hope you have a beautiful weekend Kim – xo
These look absolutely delish!! Yummy – something I will try for sure. I love anything with salmon, fesh dill and lemon. The cream and ricotta will be that extra treat! Great looking photo and pottery!
ps: How funny, my hubby just bought a rice cooker last week with a mega bag of jasmine rice. It’s a bute! Although ours cost $20….
Enjoy the long weekend!
lynn
What a sensational brunch bite – heavenly flavours!
:-) Mandy
So So Lovely, Ann.
I’d love to know your menu for Easter, Dear. Xxx
haha, love it! Happy Easter to you and family Shauna!
Protein bundles indeed…Hope you enjoy them and have a beautiful weekend!
Perfect for a smoked salmon loving young man in my house! Happy Easter.
I see lots of protein in these little beauties, definitely makes a good filling meal. Happy Easter! :)