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Robin Miller has twelve years of experience as a food writer and nutritionist. Her popular show, "Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller" currently airs on Food Network. Her new prime time show, "Robin to the Rescue" premiered on Food Network in March 2007 and she recently launched her seventh cookbook, "Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller."
Top bread cubes with your favorite dried herbs and spices and you can enjoy a different crouton snack every day of the week! The savory croutons make a perfect desk side or lunchbox snack and they're also terrific nestled on salads. The sweet croutons battle the mid-morning grumble and they're amazing over a scoop of frozen yogurt for dessert.
Sweet Croutons
8 slices white or whole grain bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
Cooking spray
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 375º.
Arrange croutons in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Spray the surface with cooking spray and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown.
Savory Croutons
8 slices white or whole grain bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
Cooking spray
2 teaspoons garlic powder, adobo seasoning, onion powder, or powdered ranch dressing
mix
Preheat oven to 375º.
Arrange croutons in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Spray the surface with cooking spray and sprinkle with garlic powder. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown.
Serves 6-8
Developed by Robin Miller on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation
Serve these wedges with your favorite hummus (mine is roasted red pepper!), or a light vegetable dip, olive spread (tapenade), salsa, or sour cream that's been spiked with chopped fresh chives and cilantro.
Cooking spray
8 pita pockets, regular or whole wheat, cut into 4-8 wedges each
1 to 2 teaspoons ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 375º.
Arrange pita wedges in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Spray the surface with cooking spray and sprinkle with cumin, salt and pepper. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown.
Serves 8
Developed by Robin Miller on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation
3 cups whole grain O-shaped cereal
1 1/2 cups small pretzels
1 cup cheese crackers or animal crackers
2/3 cup blanched almonds
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (such as canola)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 375º.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss to coat. Spread mixture out on a baking sheet, in an even layer. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly toasted.
Serves 6-8
Developed by Robin Miller on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation
Adapted from "Quick Fix Meals." These wraps also make great sandwiches if you prefer to leave the bread thick and not rolled out. To jazz up the sandwich and make it more of a complete meal, add thinly sliced pears and watercress.
4 slices white or whole grain bread
2 tablespoons honey
4-6 ounces thinly sliced smoked or baked ham
4 ounces thinly sliced Swiss cheese
Arrange bread slices on a flat surface and, using a rolling pin, roll out until 1/8-inch thick. Spread honey on one side of bread slice and top with ham and Swiss. Roll up and serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serves 4
Developed by Robin Miller on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation
If desired, the bread pudding can be assembled and stored in the refrigerator (covered with plastic wrap) for up to 12 hours, making it the perfect prep-ahead breakfast for hungry guests! Just remove the pudding from the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to baking.
Cooking spray (preferably butter flavor)
12 slices white or whole wheat bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (remove crusts if
desired)
8-ounce package light cream cheese, cut into cubes
10 eggs
2 1/2 cups reduced-fat (1%) milk
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, or more as desired
Preheat oven to 375º. Coat a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine bread cubes and cream cheese cubes. Toss to combine. Transfer bread and cream cheese to prepared baking dish, spreading out to make an even layer. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. Whisk until brown sugar dissolves. Pour mixture over bread mixture. Sprinkle cinnamon over top.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.
Serves 8-10
Developed by Robin Miller on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation
