the simple five: five ingredient breakfast sandwich

In order to regulate the salt, sugar and fat intake in our diets, I try to avoid the temptation of convenient drive through/fast food establishments by cooking ahead of time and making use of our freezer. Although it may be convenient to go through the drive through for quick meals (especially in between commutes to work, school, extracurricular activities and social events), with a little planning, this recipe provides a (relatively) healthy and delicious breakfast, ready in minutes and can be taken to go.

I especially like this recipe for early morning commutes.  Usually a large batch of sausage patties are made on a weekend, serving what is needed for that morning, and freezing the remaining for subsequent breakfasts.  It makes the morning rush so much easier.

Enjoy!

Five Ingredient Breakfast Sandwich

(makes approximately 8-12 sausage patties)

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon each of various spices and herbs to personal taste (I used chopped garlic, ground thyme and sage).
• 2 pounds organic ground turkey or pork
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Whole wheat english muffins
• Cheese of choice (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss are good choices).

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• In a large bowl, mix the garlic with the pork.  Add the thyme, sage and maple syrup.  Mix well until very well blended.
• Using a spoon or your hands, form the meat into patties about 4 inches round.
• Place as many patties that can fit in a cast iron skillet or glass baking dish.  
• Roast in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour, flipping sides midway, until patties are brown.
• Toast the english muffins.  
• Slice the cheese and place with the sausage patties, onto the english muffins (or you can bake eggs in a muffin tin at the same time as the sausage patties).
• FREEZE FOR LATER:  You can freeze half of the sandwiches that will be consumed at a later date.  Wrap individual sandwiches into paper towels and place in a ziplock bag.  Freeze (good for up to 3 months).  When you want to heat the sandwiches, remove  the number of sandwiches you require and heat in the microwave on high for about 2 minutes, depending on the temperature of your microwave.

Serve.

climbing mountains

Usually at this time of the year, I try to clean up old files and sort through our photographs.  It's actually quite fun to go down memory lane to see what we've experienced, accomplished and enjoyed in the past 365 days.  I've seen so much growth in both of our children, and in ourselves, "the adults".

I remember taking the above picture last winter.  We spent a few days up north over the New Year holiday, and this was a particularly beautiful winter day with lots of sunshine, crisp cool air and fresh snow. We filled our days with skiing, tobogganing, trekking on snow trails and laughter.  So much laughter.

In the evenings, we headed back to the cottage cabin for some hot chocolate and warm comfort food. The kids were still full of energy and it seemed that our full days of activities didn't tire them at all (unlike their old mum!).  I remember asking them if they were tired from climbing "the mountain" (some of the hills felt as tall as a mountain).  They shook their heads and said "the higher the hill, the better the ride!"

As we approach 2015, this photo reminds me of that New Year's Day.  The moment when I realized our kids understood that hard work pays off.  Although I don't usually make resolutions, I begin this new year reminding ourselves that in order to enjoy the ride, you must climb the mountain first.

Wishing everyone all the best for 2015.

Happy New Year !!!

Make Ahead Banana Almond Bread Pudding 
with Chocolate Hazelnut Drizzle.

Recipe adapted & combined from
Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding and Baked French Toast

This bread pudding is a cross between baked french toast and traditional bread pudding.  It's worth the effort to make ahead of time...it's a wonderfully sweet morning treat and works well for a laid back New Year's Day morning, since can be easily placed in the oven while none of the creatures in the house are stirring.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 eggs
• 2 ½ cups milk
• ⅓ cup heavy cream (or ½ cup of milk of you don't have cream)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 6 cups cubed French bread (or about 15- one inch slices)
• 2 bananas, sliced
• Almond slices (to top with)
• Brown sugar (to top)
• Chocolate Hazelnut spread (like Nutella)...to drizzle on top.

DIRECTIONS:

• In a large mixing bowl, mix eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla and spices until smooth. Stir in bread, bananas (you can also stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips to make this extra sweet).
• Pour into 9x13 greased glass baking dish and cover with tin foil.
• Let the bread soak in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  
• Top with almonds and sprinkle brown sugar on top.
• Bake for 25 minutes covered with foil.
• Bake another 25 minutes without foil, or until the knife inserted in the centre comes out clean.
• If desired, slightly warm the chocolate hazelenut spread in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Drizzle.

Serve with syrup.  Enjoy.

the simple five: slow cooker steel cut oats

To start my new "Simple Five" series, I thought I'd begin with a recipe that helps simplify the start of the day.

The chilly, late September morning temperatures are just a hint of what is to come.  Like a practice run, it prepares us for what will likely be around the corner...longer, more difficult mornings with a lot of reluctance to get out of a cozy warm bed. So, to combat this, I've started serving a warm, belly-filling (and healthy) breakfast to start the day.  This is a five ingredient and five minute breakfast (if you do the prep work before hand), so it's a"Simple Five"...times two!  In a slow cooker, I make these steel cut oats (using five ingredients, but it's flexible and you can add more!) and store them covered in a loaf pan, in the fridge, for up to a week.  Slice desired amount every morning and heat in the microwave for a nutritious quick breakfast.  Place this into a thermos or container, and you're ready to take this to go.

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats

(makes 4-8 servings)

Ingredients

• 2 cup steel cut oats (I used Whole Food's 365 Steel Cut Oats).
• 5 cups water
• 3 cups 3% milk (2% works fine too)
• 3 tbsp. of desired spices/seasonings (I used 1 tbsp. organic cinnamon and 2 tbsp. brown sugar)
• 3 mashed bananas

Directions

• Put all the ingredients into the slow cooker.  
• Cook on low for 6-8 hours. 
• Place in a loaf pan or covered glass dish and store in the fridge (for up to a week).
• Slice the amount you require in a bowl and microwave for about 1-2 minutes, depending on quantity. 
• Stir.

Serve with berries, add a little more milk (if you desire a thinner consistency), and/or maple syrup.  And for all you Nutella fans, drizzle a teaspoon (or more) of warmed Nutella on top of this. It tastes like a chocolate banana cake (well, at least a more healthy version of it!)

roll with it

As the kids return to school, I start thinking of packing some of their summer clothes away.  However, we finally are having a summer heatwave, so I'm holding off that ritual, just in case we can squeeze more "summer fun" into the next couple of weekends.

It was that kind of summer.  Examining the weather to determine if we were heading to the beach or for a bike ride that day.  We just rolled with it, and made the best of the weather during our family time together, doing our summer rituals:  going back to our old haunts (riding the bike trails, diving off the pier at the waterfront near our cottage, motorbiking) and trying out new excursions (this year was horseback riding and going to the theme park).  We did everything but spend a hot sticky day at the beach.

The sun was scheduled to make one last appearance less than a week before school began, and on a whim, I was able to take the kids for one big day at the beach (without my husband...he had a previous engagement). It was a beautiful day.  We did everything we could on that short and sunny day.  We swam, surfed, built sandcastles, played frisbee and football, went to the arcade, the candy store, had Beavertails, and went for a long walk in the early evening, ending it with a picnic on the beach for quick dinner, watching the sunset.  Phew!  It was like we tried to cram a summer time of beach fun into one day.

Watching the sunset, I felt this is what being a parent should really be about.  Fill the days with as much love and memories.  Although going to the beach is one of our summer rituals, we didn't realize how much this really meant to us until we we were unable to go together as a whole family.

It's this ritual, the familiarity of it, that provides comfort...not only to children but to adults as well.  We really felt it on that sunny day at the beach.  Although we sent pictures and texts during our stay to make my husband feel a little more included, it still felt strange and incomplete without him there.  It's not only about where we go that make the memories, but the people we spend it with.

It did make the kids realize how much they still like their parents to be around, even though they're at the age where they wouldn't readily admit it.  Although our beach day didn't feel quite complete, I'm glad we we allowed the sun shine to brightly guide us.  That day, we really learned to appreciate the ability to take advantage of opportunities when the sun does rise...

...but more importantly, to also appreciate those who couldn't be there when it did.

Easy Pizza Dough Cinnamon Roll Waffles

Adapted from: Mario Batali

(makes approximately 8 servings)

I was inspired by the pictures on Pinterest using pre-made cinnamon rolls in a can for waffles, but with the controversy of the ingredients in canned dough, I remembered an adapted cinnamon roll recipe using pizza dough.  Instead of waiting for it to bake in the oven, the time was cut in half by turning these rolls into waffles using a waffle iron/maker,   You can use a panini press (or go the traditional route, and bake in the oven).

Ingredients:

• 750g pizza dough  (or about 1 ½ pound)
• ¼ cup melted butter (6-8 tbsp.)
• 3 tbsp. white sugar
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tablespoons cinnamon
• Flour, for dusting

Simple tip:  It's best to leave out your pizza dough on the counter to room temperature for approximately 30 minutes prior to rolling out (this would make it easier to roll it out thinly)

Preparation

• Heat the waffle iron (or if you're baking this for buns, preheat oven to 375 degrees).
• Using a rolling pin, roll out the pizza until it is about ¼ inches thick.  
• Using a pastry brush, brush the melted butter on top of the dough.
• Mix the white sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon together.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the melted butter.
• Roll the dough until it looks like a jelly roll.

• Using a sharp knife, cut into 1" slices.
• Place the slices on waffle iron, and cook for approximately 2-3 minutes, depending on how hot your iron gets (or place in a greased cake pan and bake for about 40 minutes.)

Serve and enjoy.

enjoy being mom

On Mother's Day, the part of the day that I enjoy the most...more than the flowers and handmade cards and crafts...is the annual tradition of breakfast in bed.

Although that quiet meal time usually lasts a mere few minutes, as I end up finishing my meal with my family, it's in those few minutes alone that I realize that breakfast, although lovingly made by my kids and husband, tastes much better when I can enjoy it with them.

The joy of this day filled with love, hugs and kisses is just a reminder for the reason of this special day.  It's a day to really enjoy being a Mom without excuses, guilt, self doubt or measurement of how we rank (in our minds) as parents.  It's just a guilt free day to spoil our kids back with love, hugs and kisses....being everything that being a Mom should really be all about.

Cheers to all the beautiful mothers in the world, especially my own, who've wrapped their children with pure love.  May you all receive the same love, hugs and kisses...for Mother's Day and everyday.

Sweet Crepes

Makes approx. 24 crepes (or 8 servings)

These are sweet "dessert" type crepes.  Removing the sugar and vanilla will make these more savoury, and can be filled with scrambled eggs, bacon or whatever you prefer for brunch or any meal.

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1 ⅓ cup milk
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation

• Heat the cast iron skillet.
• In a glass mixing bowl, melt the butter.
• Whisk in eggs.
• Add the vanilla extra, salt and sugar.
• Add the milk.   Whisk vigorously.
• Slowly add the flour, ⅓ cup at a time and continue to whisk vigorously until mixture is very watery and there are no lumps.
• Place a little butter on the skillet and spread with brush.
• Spoon about 3 tbsp. of batter onto the hot pan.
• Quickly tilt the pan to spread the batter thinly on the skillet.
• As soon the edges cook, flip (approx. 2 minutes).
• Serve with whipped cream, berries or maple syrup.

Enjoy!

slice of heaven

Most mornings before anyone is awake, I'd start preparing for the day:  make breakfast, feed the dog, make sure everyone's backpacks are in order.  The usual.

Although we were on vacation a few weeks ago in St. Lucia, the early morning routine only changed slightly and we still started our days quite early. However, I had my own morning-before-the-kids-were-awake ritual.  I would pass by the lobby, greeted with freshly brewed coffee watching the quiet hustle and bustle of food preparation while the smell of breakfast wafted through the air.  I'd grab a quick cup of brew then go for a quiet walk along the mile long beach, securing our spot for the day while enjoying the beautiful sunrise.  

Amazingly, I never needed an alarm clock to wake up so early, even if it was a much earlier time than what I was accustomed to back at home.  Although the sun was just starting to peer over the horizon, I think it was the rhythmic waves of the ocean that kept calling me to visit.  And each morning, I did.  

When I made it down to the beach, there were no more bustling noises but just waves crashing along the shoreline. The only sensation I had felt was the warm breeze on my skin and the slight taste of salt in the air as I sat and watched the sun grow larger over that line where the water meets the sky. 

The tranquillity from being alone on the beach was my own little slice of heaven.  It was the most beautiful way to start the day.  

As I now ease back into the daily rigours of rushed morning routines, it's easy to forget how our body craves to start our days with stillness and observation.  How our body naturally wakes itself when it knows there is something beautiful over the horizon that will feed our soul.  Something to look forward to, whether it's the start of a simple day or a lifetime's worth of dreams.

Even though I now look out of my window and still see remnants of snowmen instead of sandmen, I still hold on to a few morning rituals from St. Lucia.  I'll tune out the traffic noises in my head and somehow still hear the waves crashing along the shoreline. With a cup of coffee and the springtime sunrise, I can now clearly see what's peering over the horizon.  Although my day no longer starts on the beach, for a brief moment in the stillness of the morning, I will be transported again to my little slice heaven.

And it is still the most beautiful way to start the day.

Banana Maple Syrup 
(aka "Slice of Heaven" syrup in St. Lucia)

(Makes 2-4 small servings)

While we were in St. Lucia, there was one particular breakfast that the kids absolutely adored.  The lovely chef behind the counter called it "Slice of Heaven".  It was essentially two thickly sliced raisin bread slices, with whipped cream in between the slices. Dipped in french toast coating (eggs, milk, cinnamon), then cooked on a cast iron skillet.  Topped with maple syrup infused with bananas (and then topped chocolate sauce!).  I made a less indulgent version of that dish, making the same banana maple syrup, but topping it on regular french toast instead.  It's still heavenly.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of maple syrup
• 1-2 bananas, sliced
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

Preparation

• Over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the sliced bananas in small sauce pan.
• When the bananas are very soft, add the cinnamon and maple syrup.
• Slowly continue heating until the maple syrup is reduced to about half.

Serve over pancakes, waffles or french toast.  Enjoy!

morning people

As a night owl, some of my best work is done when everyone is asleep.  The lights are out and I can write without distraction.  However, being a parent has forced me to be more of a morning person...to function with razor precision so we can get the day moving forward.   Preparation is done at night so I don't have to really think too much during the morning rush.  Just do.

One of the most common habits that top business executives share, according to the Business Insider, is that they all wake up early.  Very early.  Even on weekends.  I've been reading a lot about the strategies that businesses today must employ to stay healthy, strong and long lasting, and I've thought a lot about the parallels of successful business people and how some of their philosophies could be applied to having a successful home life.

It's funny how we can all be "morning people" during the holidays or quiet weekends.  On a school morning, it takes every effort to drag and pull the kids out of bed to get to school, but as soon as it's a Saturday morning, they are up before the sun rises.  

I think that is the key.  An early start to plan and look forward to a successful day.  To a corporate executive that may mean clearing their emails and preparing for their meetings.  To a child, their definition of success is an early start to the cartoons and playtime before they have chores and homework.  In a nutshell:  Starting the day with successful ME time.

I'm starting to wonder if I should change my perspective, and view early mornings as a clean slate, rather than an obstacle or chore to get through.  Although the stillness of the night can inspire some of my most creative ideas, my most clear thoughts to think and plan (or dream!) for the day ahead occur when I make it down the stairs for my morning coffee, even if it's for just ten minutes earlier, before anyone else is awake.  So much solved in those little ten minutes.   Listening to the house with not a creature stirring.  The sound of clarity.

Funnily enough, when I'm more organized on Friday nights, with a bit of preparation, I can get up earlier than the kids on those early Saturday mornings, ready with a full hearty breakfast to fuel our day and get an early start walking the dog or a family skate at the nearby rink.  We can focus on the priority of the day, which is taking full advantage of the weekend...family time spent together.

If those quiet and reflective early mornings help business leaders identify their priorities for that particular day or to even think clearly for the long term, then maybe it would work at home, for me as a parent.

Food for thought.

Make Ahead Cinnamon Waffles

(makes about ten 4"x4" waffles)

This batter can be made ahead of time and kept in a lidded container in the fridge for up to 5 days.  (You would need to re-whisk it prior to using.)  You could also make the waffles and then freeze them...just pop them in the toaster for future mornings.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose or whole wheat flour
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup apple sauce (you can use vegetable oil)
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 tsp of brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp of cinnamon 
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat waffle iron (for about 10 minutes, closed)
• Beat eggs in large bowl until fluffy. 
• Whisk in apple sauce, milk, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla, just until smooth.
• Spray preheated waffle iron with oil (I used my Misto olive oil sprayer...you can use any cooking spray). You'll need to re-spray every 3 waffles.
• Pour mix onto hot waffle iron (I use approximately 3/4 of a cup...amount will vary depending on the size of your waffle maker)
• Cook until golden brown. (approximately 3-4 minutes)
• Serve hot.

Enjoy!

a healthy start

When returning to school and work this week after a wonderful holiday break, like many families the start of the new year was a little...rough.  Icy snowy weather made driving conditions just a little slower, and the process was slowed down even further as children sleepily resisted returning back to a regular morning routine in arctic cold temperatures.

Before the polar vortex arrived yesterday, earlier this week I realized that our son had ripped his gloves during our ski excursion over the holidays, and I was on the search for a new pair.  After visits to eight various stores, shelves that were filled just last week with warm, waterproof winter gloves are now replaced with little bathing suits, like little hints to remind us why we should buy the yoga outfits and workout gear, just a few shelves away.  

With New Year's resolutions abound, a fresh start and a renewed way to look at our daily lives invoking us to begin things like new workout routines and eating healthier, I thought about those store shelves promoting those exercise items.  

I wondered if what seemingly appears to promote physical health actually creates anxiety...to rush us through to the next season, finding goals to achieve so we can enjoy later (like fitting into that bathing suit), instead of loving where we stand now.  To live in the moment and indulge in the opportunities presented to us today, instead of trying to buy the next thing to eventually do in the future.  

It's like looking for those winter gloves.  How can we embrace the winter season now, and enjoy those physical activities that are available to us today, if the only thing available are bathing suits and yoga outfits?

Well, luckily I eventually did find a pair of warm gloves, and we are ready to embrace the cold weather.  It's a healthy start to a bright day and beautiful season...so we can enjoy, today.

Easy Banana Granola

This recipe is easily adaptable...varying the spices and add-on ingredients can change the taste drastically (think of adding exotic dried fruit, or even chocolate chips for the sweet tooth!).  The granola can be made in an hour and stored in a sealed container for up to 5 days.  Double the recipe and you might have enough for a family of four to eat before work or school.  A great and healthy breakfast to start the day and new year.

Ingredients

• 1 Banana
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. hot water
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp. ground cloves
• 3 cups quick cooking oats
• Dried fruit, sliced almonds, to taste. (optional)

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
• Mash the banana, then add the sugar, water, vanilla and spices.  
• Toss with oats until well coated (about 5 minutes of mixing well).
• Toss fruit and almonds (I sometimes leave this out for those with nut allergies.  This can be added after baking)
• Spread onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for approximately 1 hour to 1 ½ hours until toasted.
• Serve on top of yogurt and fruit.

Enjoy!

red sky at night

What is the secret to a long and successful marriage?

For my in-laws 50th anniversary, my husband was the Master of Ceremonies for their anniversary dinner, and spoke of what made his parents marriage last for so long.  While he was working on his speech, it made me do some thinking about what the real secret is.  

As I was watching my in laws greet their guests, everything so carefully orchestrated and in its place, I noticed that there was this kind of dance between them.  It was almost like they've done this routine a million times before.  Each knew which step they were supposed to take, trusted their partner with their laid out plans, and for the most part, they stuck with them.  If their plans for some reason deviates, they've prepared enough to be flexible and adapt (well, one of them at least), so they have a "new plan" in place.

Being raised in the country, both of them learned to understand natures' cues...nature's way of telling you the plans for the day, as dictated by the weather.  I've heard many sayings from them..."April showers bring May flowers". "Rain before seven, sun by eleven". "Red sky at night, sailor's delight, but red sky in the morning, sailor's warning".

I think that's how they've lived in their marriage...letting nature take its course, really listening and observing not just to each other, but to what's around them and always preparing themselves for storms or bumper crops...always prepared.  There was always a routine.  They always paid their bills on time.  Meals were had at set times throughout the day.  Bedtime remained relatively the same every night.  And nothing was taken for granted. 


Although I like to throw caution in the wind occasionally, and try something new and exciting, there is something to be said about routine.  Something comforting...like a favourite family recipe, there are no surprises...just the trust of knowing exactly what kind of warmth and comfort that will greet you when you savour your first bite.


The same thing, I guess, can be said about marriage.  That although there will be storms, bumper crops (of either children or wealth), or deviations on the journey, sometimes routine is comforting.  Knowing that no matter what battles there are out in the real world, when you come home, you know the warmth waiting for you.

One night before the anniversary dinner, the sky was as red as can be.  And there was no question, what kind of day was planned for us the next day.  We knew it would be sunny and bright...and filled with delight.  


And it was.

Our  Family Favourite 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup organic cane sugar 
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). 
• Mash bananas.
• Add oil, egg and vanilla.  Stir.
• Add sugar, baking soda and salt, until mixed.
• Add the flour and mix well.
• Fold in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
• Pour mixture into a greased 4x8 inch loaf pan. 
• Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hour. 
• Let cool on rack.

Slice, serve and enjoy.  

picking my food

Sometimes when we go berry picking, there is an abundance of fruit that can't be consumed before it spoils.

A great way to use up that abundance is either freeze the fruit (makes great smoothies...I have a great easy recipe here).  Or I like to make muffins.

It's an easy, healthy way to know what we're putting into our snacks, and they taste better knowing that they were made from scratch, berries picked ourselves.

Sometimes they are good for breakfast.  This recipe is a decadent one, but you can omit the crumble topping...if you dare.

Crumble Topped Blueberry Muffins
(makes approx. 12 muffins)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup of organic cane sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 4 tsp. baking powder
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cup blueberries

Crumble Topping

• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed.

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400degrees.  
• Line muffin tin with regular sized liners.
• Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.  
• In a separate bowl, mix oil, eggs and milk.  Add to dry mixture.
• Fold in blueberries.  
• Fill muffin cups right to the top and sprinkle with the crumb mixture (see below).
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until toothpick comes out clean.

Crumb Mixture Directions:

• Mix the sugar, flour, butter and cinnamon, with a fork (I like using a pastry blender), until it resembles a crumb like mixture.
• Sprinkle on muffins before baking.

Enjoy.