Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

I love a great pancake and these are especially good in the fall and winter. There's something so tasty about this pumpkin flavor and they also give a wheaty taste that is sure to delight!

You will need:

2 ½ cups all purpose flour

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground allspice

1 tsp salt

2 cups milk

2/3 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree

4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

Butter 

To Make:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice & salt. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, pumpkin, butter, eggs, and vanilla. 

Add dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. 

Spray with nonstick spray and use ice cream scoop or ½ cup measuring cup to add the batter to the center of the skillet. 

Spread the batter into a nice circle and reduce heat to med-low and let cook until bubbles begin to appear. 

Flip pancake and cook other side until golden, 2-3 minutes.

 Repeat with remaining batter. 

Serve with butter and syrup.

Source: Recipe Girl by Lori Lange

Buttermilk Banana Bread

Buttermilk Banana Bread

I have such a HUGE love of bananas and I thought it was weird how I could love bananas in everything from oatmeal, to smoothies, ice cream, and pancakes, but I have never LOVED a single banana bread recipe I've ever made. I was thinking for a few years there that I just didn't like banana bread, but lo and behold....it was just that I had never found the RIGHT recipe.

Well, this one blew my socks off and I have already made it 3 times in the month of December.

Yeah...it's THAT good.

This banana bread makes me SWOON.

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas (I use about 3 average sized bananas)

4 tablespoons buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

Grease and flour 1 large loaf pan (9 1/4 X 5 1/4-inch) or mini loaf pans.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. 

Add eggs, bananas, buttermilk and vanilla until the batter is well mixed. 

Add in the flour, baking powder, salt and soda. 

Mix until well combined. 

Divide batter into greased and floured bread pans and 

bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes (if using 1 large loaf pan) 

or 35 minutes for mini loaves and until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cut it up and rejoice over the deliciousness that you just created!

 

 Recipe Source: Melskitchencafe.com

Cowboy Quiche

I have always loved the look of quiche, 

but I have never made one before!

I found a recipe from the Pioneer Woman and I changed it up a bit and it was a HUGE hit!

I am now adding this into our repertoire!

Ingredients

1 whole Unbaked Pie Crust (enough For A Deep Dish Pan)

2 whole Yellow Onions, Sliced

2 Tablespoons Butter

8 slices Bacon

1 bunch asparagus

8 whole Large Eggs

1-1/2 cup Heavy Cream Or Half-and-Half

 Salt And Pepper, to taste

2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation Instructions

Fry the onions in the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat for at least 15 to 20 minutes (maybe longer), stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown. Set aside to cool.

Fry the bacon until chewy. Chop into large bite-sized pieces and set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll out the pie crust and press it into a large fluted deep tart pan (or a deep dish pie pan).

Chop the asparagus into 1 inch pieces.

Whip the eggs, cream, salt and pepper in a large bowl, then mix in the onions, bacon, asparagus and cheese. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.

Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet, cover lightly with aluminum foil, and bake it for about 40 to 45 minutes. 

Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown. (The quiche will still seem slightly loose, but will continue to set once remove from the oven.)

Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. If using a tart pan, remove the quiche from the pan, cut into slices with a sharp serrated knife, and serve!

Source: Pioneer Woman

Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie

Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie

This is a wonderful, healthy smoothie to make when you're on the go!

I whipped it up and drank it while I ran errands with the kiddos and it was delicious and kept me full until lunch.

You will need:

1 cup skim or soy milk

½ cup rolled quick oats

1 banana

½ cup frozen strawberries, more if needed

½ tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp Splenda or agave nectar 

Directions:

In a blender, combine milk, oats, bananas, and strawberries.

Add vanilla and sweetener.

Blend until smooth and pour into glass and serve.

Recipe Source: yummyhealthyeasy.com

Banana Blueberry Muffins

Banana Blueberry Muffins

I love me a blueberry muffin, so when I saw this recipe for blueberries AND bananas, i knew I had to try it.
They turned out really well and had wonderful flavor. 
Compared to other muffins I've made, these are a more dense variety.
You can add nuts or keep them out, whatever you like!


You will need: 

2 ½ cups sifted flour

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 ¼ cups sugar

1 egg, beaten

½ cup orange juice

2 Tbsp butter, room temp.

1 ½ cups (or more) fresh blueberries

½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

3 ripe bananas, mashed

How to make:

Sift dry ingredients together.

Then add sugar, egg, oj, & butter. 
Whisk together. 
Fold in bananas & blueberries. 



Pour into lined muffin tins & bake at 350 for 20 minutes. 
Remove rack and cool!

Source: Lesliedurso.com

orange cloud pancakes

Orange Cloud Pancakes

I have usually strayed away from recipes that say "stiff egg whites", but I forgot to read through the recipe fully and it was TOO late by the time I realized, and let me say that I was glad that I made them.
I see now why they are called "orange cloud", when you add in the stiff egg whites, and gently stir, it is like a cloud consistency was put into them and they are DIVINE!
Try them yourself!

You will need:

Ingredients

3/4 cup cottage cheese
3 eggs, separated
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Pinch cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg, grated
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon orange zest or 1/8 teaspoon orange oil
 (or as desired, to taste)

1. Combine the cottage cheese, egg yolks, melted butter, orange juice, vanilla and almond extracts, and process ( in food processor) until smooth, about 30 seconds.

2. Stop the processor and add the cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, sugar, salt and orange zest.  Process again until smooth and transfer the mixture to a large bowl.

3. Meanwhile, in the bowl of your standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites until stiff but not dry.

4. Very carefully (and using a rubber spatula), add one large scoop of the egg whites to the pancake batter, and lightly fold them into the batter until smooth.

5. Gently fold the remaining egg whites into the batter until incorporated.

6. With a lightly buttered or sprayed nonstick pan or griddle on medium heat, scoop about 1/3 cup of the batter onto the pan and cook on each side until lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes each side.  
Serve immediately.
Enjoy your heavenly creation!

Source: http://www.thecurvycarrot.com

Chorizo Burritos

I have such a warm spot in my heart for chorizo.

I grew up eating it for breakfast mixed up with some eggs in a burrito and for years I didn't eat it.

I don't know if i just forgot about it or what, but recently I saw it at the store and couldn't resist.

Now i make it ALL THE TIME and my husband requests it almost daily.

You will need:

flour tortillas

chorizo ( i use 1 tube)

lemon

2 eggs

bacon or sausage, (optional)

To make:

So what I do it whisk up the 2 eggs like you are making scrambled eggs. Set aside.

Then open the casing of the chorizo and place it in a medium-high pan and break it apart to fully cook it.

I grind it up like I am making tacos.

Then after about 1-2 minutes, I add in the eggs.

Now, forgive me for having to see this, but what it will look like is really gross.

It turns a really strange color and for a moment you think....I'm not sure if I can eat this.

BUT just give it a minute or two and it will come together.

Begin mixing it all up and together constantly flipping it and continuing to cook it, 3-5 minutes.

When it is all blended well and cooked, I squirt in a little fresh lemon juice.

Then I heat my flour tortillas in another pan and fill it up with the chorizo/egg mixture.

I like to serve it will either bacon or sausage on the side.

Trust me, you'll love it!

Baked Apple Cider Doughnut Holes

Baked Apple Cider Doughnut Holes

I made these this past fall and they were the perfect little snack to just pop in your mouth and go.

They had great flavor and I love how the cinnamon/sugar mixture makes them pop.

My husband was LOVING these!

They are also perfect for a party or potluck!

You will need:

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 large egg

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup apple butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup apple cider

1/3 cup plain yogurt 

2 Tbsp canola oil

canola cooking spray

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1/4 cup sugar

1 Tbsp cinnamon

Instructions:

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray a mini muffin pan with cooking spray. 

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon( 2 tsp). 

     In another large bowl, whisk together the egg, brown sugar, apple butter, vanilla extract, honey, apple cider, yogurt, and canola oil. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient mixture and whisk until just incorporated. Don't over-mix - a few lumps are okay. 

     Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, fill a 24-hole mini muffin pan with the batter; fill each hole only 3/4 of the way, or you'll end up with huge mini muffins.

 Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes and cool on a wire rack. 

     While donut holes are still warm, melt butter in a microwave safe dish. 

Combine cinnamon and sugar in another dish.

 Using a pastry brush, very lightly brush a tiny bit of melted butter onto the top of each donut hole, 

then dip the top of the muffin in the cinnamon sugar mixture. 

Roll the donut hole in the cinnamon sugar to coat the sides and top. 

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Source: Feastie.com

Banana Pancakes

I have come to really LOVE banana pancakes this year. 

I had never had them before, but I would always listen to Jack Johnson's "Banana Pancakes" song and thought....I just need to make these already!

So...I did and this recipe (according to the husband) is the BEST pancake I've ever made.

So, it's a winner of one in my book and I just cannot get enough of these!

Ingredients

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 or 4 Tablespoons sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)

2 eggs, slightly beaten

4 Tablespoons melted butter, cooled & divided

2 cups milk

2 bananas, mashed to desired consistency 

Maple syrup

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. 

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl then make a well in the  center. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, 2 Tablespoons melted butter, and milk. 

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients then whisk until just combined.

 Fold in bananas.

Brush pre-heated skillet with a bit of remaining melted butter, then pour a scant 1/4 cup batter to form each pancake.

 When bubbles appear all over the top of each pancake, flip then cook until golden brown. 

Remove to a plate and very loosely cover with foil to keep warm.

 Repeat with remaining batter then serve with warm maple syrup.

Source: Iowagirleats.com

Cook Bacon in the Oven!

Earlier this year I learned another way to cook bacon, and boy did I need it because every time I cook bacon I always burn it....and then the house fills with smoke....seriously, every time.

So this is my new go to!

Cook bacon in the oven!

Cover cookie sheet with foil first.

You can either do 375 degrees for about 20 minutes or

 400 degrees for 10 minutes, 

but I prefer the longer time because more of the fat renders out. 

Then all the bacon is done at the same time, meanwhile you were free to make the rest of breakfast! 

If you really want to save time, cook them til they're almost done and then, drain them and pop them in a ziploc bag and store in the freezer.

 When you want a bite take how ever many pieces out and put them in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Source: Martha Stewart

Egg in the hole

So I was watching Pioneer Woman on tv and she was making these delicious breakfast things called "Egg in the Hole" and it looked so tasty. 

So I gave it a go the other morning and it was a hit, even the kiddos liked it!
So here is what you will need:

1 slice Of Your Favorite Kind Of Bread
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 whole Egg
Salt To Taste
Pepper To Taste

Preparation Instructions

With a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass, press a hole in the center of the slice of bread. (I just used a glass)

Next, heat a skillet over medium-low heat and melt a Tablespoon of butter in it.

 When the butter is all spread out, place the piece of bread in the skillet and crack the egg straight into the center of hole.

Cook for at least 30 seconds or so before attempting to move the bread or things could get messy. Sprinkle the egg with salt and pepper to taste. After about a minute, flip it over with a spatula and salt and pepper the other side.

Let it cook until the yolk feels, to the touch, still soft without feeling over-jiggly.

Then you're all done & ready to eat!

Then the middle parts that you took out....watch out! They are everyone's faves!

The kid's always stole them from me!

There you have it....egg in the hole!

Source: Pioneer Woman