Bring the Family Together for Breakfast

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - Nov 3, 2011) - (Family Features) With busy after-school schedules and commitments, it can be difficult to get the family around the table, thus missing out on important family time. Between work schedules and extracurricular activities, it's no surprise that 57 percent of families do not eat meals together every day, according to the Journal of American Medicine. One solution is to focus on breakfast.

Celebrity chef Aaron McCargo Jr., of the Food Network, understands that for many, breakfast needs to be quick and easy. As a father of three, McCargo realizes that cooking breakfast from scratch is not always realistic for busy mornings. With that in mind, he suggests starting with frozen food products made from real and wholesome ingredients. "I was pleased to see the Aunt Jemima^® Frozen Breakfast line of pancakes, waffles and French toast is made just like my mom taught me -- with simple ingredients like milk, eggs, flour and sugar," says McCargo.

Inspired by the line of frozen breakfasts, McCargo developed the following breakfast ideas to help busy families reconnect each morning:

• Buttermilk Pancakes with Homemade Blueberry Compote: Jazz up frozen buttermilk pancakes with this easy and light jam-like sauce.
  
  "Since Aunt Jemima frozen breakfasts are just like homemade, you can quickly pop them in the microwave or toaster and spend your time making fun, easy toppers and breakfast sides from my new cookbook 'Simply Done, Well Done,' and spend quality time with your family," says McCargo.

In addition, McCargo offers the following tips for getting the whole family to the breakfast table:

• Keep it Simple: You don't need to become a chef to make a simple, but great meal. With just a few ingredients, you can have a delicious and wholesome meal ready for your family in minutes.
• Try for Tradition: Make one day a week your designated "cooking day" with your kids. Each Sunday morning you can plan on cooking breakfast with your kids. Look for foods with added benefits such as Aunt Jemima Frozen Breakfast Oatmeal pancakes. Made with rolled oats, oat bran and oat flour mixed right into the batter, the new wholesome option contains as much fiber as a cup of prepared oatmeal, providing the nutritional benefits of real oats in the form of delicious pancakes.
• Make It a Team Effort: Get everyone involved and try to make sure each person has some part in helping to make the meal. An adult can take care of all the difficult tasks, but let your kids scoop the blueberries out of the bowl and onto the hot pancakes. Remember -- the fact that it's prepared quickly doesn't take away from the quality time spent preparing and enjoying it together.

For more recipes and tips from McCargo, as well as coupons, visit www.Facebook.com/AuntJemimaFrozenBreakfast.

Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberry Compote
Makes 4-6 servings

1	box of Aunt Jemima® Frozen Buttermilk Pancakes
2 1/2	cups fresh blueberries
1/4	cup sugar
	Juice of 1 lemon
	Grated zest of 1 lemon

In small saucepan, mix together 2 cups blueberries, sugar and 2 tablespoons water, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer until compote is syrupy and blueberries begin to break down (about 5 to 6 minutes).

Transfer compote to bowl of food processor fitted with metal blade, add lemon juice and pulse until smooth. Put compote in a bowl and garnish with reserved 1/2 cup berries and lemon zest.

Heat up the pancakes as directed on packaging and top with compote.

AUNT JEMIMA is a registered trademark of The Quaker Oats Company and is used under license.

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