Bed and Breakfast

Spinach and Feta Mini Quiches- get the recipe

Strawberry Granola Parfait- get the recipe

The saying goes,"you never know how many friends you have until you have a beach house."  Well, I think they should change it to, when you have a beach house, you'll have lots of overnight guests!  Simple and to the point :)  Since moving near the beach, I have certainly found that to be true.  And I have to tell you, Patrick and I both love it!

We love any excuse for a party!

When guests stay the night, I want them to feel like they're on a mini-vacation.  So, I always have the guest room ready with clean towels on the bed and fresh cut flowers on the nightstand.  But I have found that greeting them with a beautiful breakfast in the morning is how you can really make them feel special!

Now don't get "beautiful breakfast" confused with a "complicated breakfast."  Most of our guests stay with us on the weekends and look forward to sleeping in.  The last thing I want to do is wake them up by banging pots together at 6:00am because I made an overly-ambitious menu.  

Instead, I have two quick and easy breakfast recipes that I turn to again and again.  My Spinach and Feta Mini Quiches and my Strawberry Granola Parfaits.

My Spinach and Feta Mini Quiches may be bite-size but they pack lots of flavor! Usually you think of adding cheddar or mozzarella cheese to eggs.  But the salty feta pairs perfectly with the earthy spinach leaves, the "piney" aroma from the fresh rosemary and the slight sweetness of the grape tomatoes.  Plus, you just can't beat the beautiful color combination!  

While my mini quiches are in the oven, I start assembling my easy Strawberry Granola Parfaits.  These are so simple!  It's beautiful layers of creamy Greek yogurt, crunchy gluten free* granola, and sweet strawberry jam.  (Try my gluten free Honey Nutty Granola and Homemade Strawberry Jam- so yummy!)

And just like that, breakfast is ready!  I serve hot coffee, orange juice, mimosas, and fresh fruit.  I love seeing the faces of my guests light up when they come strolling into the kitchen.  They are always shocked to see such a beautiful spread!  

And you know what?  Come to think of it, it's always when they're sitting down at breakfast with a mini quiche in their hand that each guest always talks about coming to visit again.  

Hmmm... coincidence?  I think not.

   

*Oats on their own are gluten free, but oats are usually processed on the same machinery as barley and wheat.  So, the oats become "cross-contaminated" with gluten. But gluten free oats are easy to find now in major grocery stores.  I use Bob's Red Mill brand.  If you are using store-bought granola for the parfaits, make sure it's gluten free.  I love the gluten free granola from KIND brand.