By Stacey Moritz

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it’s a great time to connect as a family. But let’s face it – sitting down together for a lovely breakfast is not realistically going to happen on a busy weekday. While a lazy Sunday morning is always a great time to pull out all the stops for a good family breakfast, why not have a little fun on a random weeknight too?

Now I’m sure that you’ve done the “breakfast for dinner” routine on a crazy night when you are pulled in a thousand different directions. But I’m not talking about a bowl of cereal here. So settle into your pajamas, get inspired with some of these delectable suggestions, and have some fun with breakfast – tonight!

The nice thing about breakfast for dinner is that you can double your duty by popping an extra in the freezer for dinner another busy evening, or a great breakfast that is already prepared for the next day. You can go as easy as scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast, or more elaborate such as Eggs Benedict.

If eggs are on the menu, pre-chop several different ingredients and make an omelet bar just like your favorite brunch spot. Designate an omelet “chef,” have everyone choose their ingredients, and let the chef have at it.

Homemade breads or muffins are always a big hit and they freeze beautifully for another time. If you have a good basic muffin recipe, vary the “mix-ins” according to everyone’s taste – just add a favorite berry, chopped apples and cinnamon, or mashed bananas and chocolate chips, and each gets a custom muffin to his or her liking.

Another great option is the breakfast casserole. The beauty of a casserole is that you can make it the night before and simply bake it right before serving. House favorites include an egg, sausage, and cheese strata; baked French toast; baked cheese grits; and of course, a hashbrown casserole. All are hearty, warm, and comforting ... everything you need for a great family meal.

If your family is more of a pancake and waffle crowd, again you can start with a plain batter recipe – but get creative with the ingredients. While berries and chocolate chips are obvious choices, try pumpkin, cinnamon apple, or cranberry orange. You can also have a great time making your own crepes. If you are not up to making them from scratch, buy them ready-made from the grocery store and customize them to your liking. Fill them with bananas and Nutella or fresh berries and whipped cream, or even ham, eggs, and cheese. You are only limited by your imagination!

Once you’re done with supper, you just might decide that breakfast for dinner should be a weekly family ritual. It’s a great way to break out of a boring routine while having fun at the same time.

Stacey Moritz is co-owner of The Lemon Tree Café, located at 113 S. White Street in downtown Wake Forest (919-521-5806), offering freshly prepared salads, pastas, and soups and take-away fare.