Easy Summer Breakfast Ideas

Don't you just love summer mornings with early sunrises, warm summer breezes and waking to sounds of nature. Following a good stretch, I always look forward to breakfast in the summer. You don't have to be a chef to incorporate summer in your breakfast(s). Here are some simple tips for freshening and livening up your breakfast with a "touch of summer".

1. Hot Cereal - Summer up your oatmeal and/or cream of wheat by adding a handful of blackberries, blueberries and/or strawberries. For a finishing touch, drizzle a little honey on top. It's simply delicious.

2. Summer Beverage - Most of us have a cup of orange, apple or cranberry juice for breakfast. To "sparkle" up your summer beverage, add 1/2 cup of sparkling water to your juice.

3. Breakfast Fruit Salad - No matter what's on the menu, be sure to add a fresh summer breakfast salad. Pamper yourself by serving it in a champagne flute or wine glass. You can use any combination of fruits. Top it off with walnuts, granola and/or a spoonful of yogurt (I like to use strawberry yogurt).

4. Waffles/French Toast - Are great any time of the year. In the summer, top them off with fresh fruit. Some ideas include sliced bananas and assorted berries. Drizzle with syrup or top with whipped cream.

5. Pancakes - Make your pancakes a little thinner than usual. Then take cream cheese or yogurt (your choice), and mix with a fruit puree or fresh fruit. Then roll the mixture into the pancake and fold it with the fold side down. Top with powdered sugar, whipped cream, honey or syrup. Great for serving your sweetie in bed or for guests.

6. Breakfast Smoothies - You can't go wrong incorporating a fruit smoothie in your summer breakfast. You can use any fruit but some really tasty smoothies are - Mango, Peach and Strawberry. An easy way to make a smoothie is to take your main fruit(s) (i.e., 1 peeled mango and 1 peach), add a banana (Optional - but good for texture), 1 cup of orange juice, 1 cup of yogurt and 1 cup of ice. Sweeten with honey if desired. Combine together in blender, top with fresh fruit and/or whipped cream.

7. Grilled Fruit - Add grilled fruit to any breakfast menu. These can be made like kabobs on your outdoor grill. If you don't have access to an outdoor grill, you can use a George Foreman grill or broiler. You should probably dip the fruit in lemon juice before grilling to keep it from browning. Some of the best fruits to grill are - kiwi, strawberries, pineapples, peaches and nectarines.

Finally, presentation is everything. Simply put a fresh flower in a vase for that special touch. Enjoy!