Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce



These super fluffy pancakes are delicious!  I just love the combination of lemon and blueberry flavors and these were so yummy.  I was looking for a different kind of pancake recipe to try and I found this one at allrecipes.com.
I have tried many different pancake recipes but this was the first time making them with ricotta and I really liked them.  It added a kind of rich creamy texture but yet they were still nice and fluffy.  The blueberry sauce was delicious and if you happen to have any leftover, it makes a great topping on ice cream.            
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Ingredients

Blueberry Sauce:
2 tablespoons lemon juice                            
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cups frozen blueberries
3 tablespoons white sugar

Pancakes:
1 cup ricotta cheese
2/3 cup milk
2 eggs     
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 lemon, juiced and zested
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder      


Directions:
1. Mix 2 tablespoons lemon juice and cornstarch together in a bowl until cornstarch dissolves.

2.Stir blueberries and 3 tablespoons sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour cornstarch mixture into blueberry mixture; cook and stir until mixture thickens slightly. Cover saucepan and remove from heat.

3. Whisk ricotta cheese, milk, eggs, sugar, juice from 1 lemon, lemon zest, nutmeg, and salt together in a bowl until well blended. Add flour and baking powder; whisk to combine.

4. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. Drop batter in 1/4 cup portions onto the griddle and cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry. Flip and cook until browned on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter. Top pancakes with blueberry sauce.    



Monday, May 16, 2016

French Toast Stars

These adorable french toast shaped stars are just perfect for an Independence Day breakfast or brunch!  They are pretty simple to make too!  This is a favorite of picky kids (and grown ups too) who don't care for crust.  I have also made this at Christmas time too.  Try using different shaped cookie cutters for different holidays like Christmas trees or pumpkin shapes. 

I have tried many different types of bread but I like to use thick Texas-style toast when I make this french toast recipe.  I have a Christmas cookie cutter that works perfectly to cut out the star shapes.
 

Place the bread on a cutting board and center the star shape in the middle of the slice.  Press down firmly and tear away the excess bread from the around the edges.  Save the extra bread pieces to make this recipe for home-made croutons


Mix the eggs, milk and vanilla into a bowl.  Dip both sides of the bread stars into this mixture.


Melt a little butter into a flat skillet and cook on both sides until golden brown.


Sprinkle with cinnamon and powdered sugar, if desired.  Serve with maple syrup. 

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Ingredients:
9 slices thick Texas-style bread
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:
1. Whisk eggs, milk and vanilla together.
2. Cut shapes out of the bread using a star shaped cookie cutter.
3. Dip bread in the egg/milk mixture on both sides.
4. Melt butter in skillet.  Cook on both sides until golden brown.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and powdered sugar, if desired.  Serve with maple syrup.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Garlic-Parmesan Croutons



These croutons are so much better than the store bought kind.  They are a great way to use up leftover bread.  I always make these croutons to use up the leftover bread when I make French Toast Stars  or anytime I have any leftover hamburger or hot dog buns too.  They are so delicious and really jazz up any salad.  And your kitchen will smell amazingly good while these are baking!


Cut the bread into cubes.


Mix butter, Parmesan cheese, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and salt together in a large, flat-bottomed bowl; add bread cubes and turn with a spatula to coat.


Spread coated bread cubes onto a baking sheet.  Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. 


Based on a recipe from Allrecipes
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Ingredients:
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
5 thick slices bread, cut into cubes

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Mix butter, Parmesan cheese, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and salt together in a large, flat-bottomed bowl; add bread cubes and turn with a spatula to coat. Spread coated bread cubes onto a baking sheet.
3. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool croutons completely before storing in an airtight container.



Saturday, May 7, 2016

Apple Pie "Fries"


Delicious little "fries" that taste like little apple pies in each bite!  Dipping these yummy "fries"  in caramel sauce makes them even yummier.  These are really simple to make too!  Using a convenient pre-made pie crust really saves a lot of time.  You can even substitute the apple pie filling with cinnamon flavored applesauce too!  And these "fries" are baked so no actual frying is involved. 


First start by placing the apple pie filling into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.  Spread this over one of the unrolled pie crusts leaving about 1/4 " space around the edges.

Roll out the second layer of dough and place over pie filling.


Add a little water to your egg and beat. Brush the egg mixture onto the top crust. Sprinkle with some cinnamon sugar. 


Using a pastry cutter or pizza cutter, cut into strips about 1/2 inch wide.


Then cut them again into shorter strips.  Carefully place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.   Remove from baking sheets to let cool.  Enjoy these dipped in caramel sauce.



Thanks for this yummy recipe from  Oh Bite It!
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Ingredients
  • 1 Package of Pillsbury Refrigerated pie Crust (2 ct.)
  • 10 Ounce apple pie filling
  • 1 egg
  • Cinnamon sugar
  • Caramel sauce for dipping 
Directions:
  1. Roll out one layer of your pie crust
  2. Put your pie filling in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth
  3. Spread smooth pie filling on top of pie crust leaving about 1/4" of dough around the edges uncovered
  4. Roll out the second layer of your pie crust and lay on top of pie filling. Press lightly to seal the edges.
  5. Add some water to your egg and beat. With a pastry brush, brush the top pie crust with your egg mixture.
  6. Sprinkle with some cinnamon sugar.
  7. With a pastry cutter, cut the pie crust into strips about ½ inches wide. Then cut again into smaller strips. Carefully remove them and put on a cookie sheet.
  8. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and firm.