Homemade Pancakes and Syrup

Well as promised I am going to give you my recipes for pancakes and syrup. The thing I love about Pancakes is that they are so versatile. You can change and manipulate them to whatever you may be craving at the time.  My personal favorite is chocolate pancakes with chocolate chunks in them mmmmmm makes my mouth water just thinking of it and then add some homemade syrup to the top. . . . Yeah its pretty much incredible.
    Pancakes are great because you can make lots and lots of extra then just throw them in the freezer so the kids have something quick and easy in the morning. If you haven't put chocolate chips or blueberries in them they can be thrown straight into the toaster; And if you did put goodies in them the microwave comes in very handy. Ok so lets get started here is what you will need to make some pancakes.

1) 2 cups of flour
2) 4 teaspoons of baking powder
3) 1 teaspoon of salt
4) 2 eggs
5) 2 cups of milk
6) 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

First you want to mix all of your dry ingredients very well.  If you want chocolate pancakes also add 1 cup of Hershey's Cocoa natural and unsweetened, 1/2 cup of sugar, and a teaspoon of nutmeg.

   Next you want to beat the eggs well and add all the rest of the ingredients to your dry ingredients mixing until you have a thick syrup consistency. If it is to thick add more milk a little at a time until you like it, then cook. I always use my griddle cuz I can fit more on it but a frying pan on the stove works just as well.   

     Now the Syrup recipe was passed to my mom and then to me. It is amazing and very easy to make, a definite crowd pleaser!!!! :)

The ingredients you are going to need for this are quite simple and I always keep plenty on hand just for this.

1) 1 stick of margarine or 1/2 cup butter works just as well.
2) 1 can of evaporated milk 12oz
3) 2 cups of sugar
                                                                                    4) 1 teaspoon vanilla
                                                                                    5) 1 teaspoon baking soda
Ok you are going to need a large pot.  Get it heating on a medium heat. you want to melt your butter or margarine but you do not want to burn it.
   When the butter is melted add 1 can of evaporated milk 2 cups of sugar and the Vanilla now you want your the stove top on high to bring the mixture to a rolling boil which is a boil that you cant stir down. stir continuously for 2 minutes then shut off heat and stir in your 1 teaspoon of baking soda.

    Your syrup will foam way up at this point dont worry its suppose to :) that is why you need the large pot. It is now ready to eat, ladle into a dish for serving and you're ready to go.

Now remember you can add just about anything to your pancake mix to change things up. Chocolate chips are great , blueberries, chopped strawberries.  Playing with new ideas in the kitchen is half the fun of cooking. Have fun with it. Enjoy

When the milk you look behind is powdered

Hello again everyone :). So I don't have a picture for this one, but the end result was amazing. Now I have no intention of telling what I made without a little story.  I dont know about you guys but when it gets a day or 2 from payday things can get a little . . . slim around here meaning the refrigerator starts to get extremely bare, this definitely being the case the other day.  Here is what I had to work with:

1) Onions
2) Cream cheese
3) 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup (the small cans)
4) powdered milk
5) 5 boneless skinless chicken breasts
6)1 pack of spaghetti
7) 4 tablespoons butter or margarine

At this point I needed to start dreaming something up, but what?
Sometimes for me the best way to make something is to just start. And it comes to me as I get going this definitely being the case here.
First I sliced the onions and through them in a large skillet adding the butter this way I would saute the onions till they are soft but not brown.
Second I cut the chicken into cubes that were about 1 inch by 1 inch and putting them directly into the skillet with the onions cooking them until they are cooked all the way through.
At this point you will want to get some water boiling to cook your pasta.
When your chicken is done add 1 pack of cream cheese cook on medium heat stirring occasionally making sure the cheese melts completely.
Add your 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup.
Then add about 4 cups of mixed powdered milk heat until it starts to boil then turn down to a simmer. At this point you want to start seasoning. I used garlic powder, salt and pepper.
If the sauce is to thick add a little more mixed powdered milk.

    When the pasta is done and your sauce is flavored to perfection, put some pasta on your plate top with some of your homemade chicken sauce and enjoy the heck out of it. This one surprised me It was really good my family absolutely loved it. let me know what you think. :)

    Enjoy this! Next I will give you a great pancake and homemade syrup recipe.

BBQ Pork Sandwiches

OK so I know its been forever since I have been on here, But what do you expect from a stay at home dad with 6 kids? :) Just kidding I'm seriously just slacking. But all joking aside I came across this recipe that was incredible the only problem was I only had 2 of the ingredients that it was calling for . . . Sooooo as usual I took what I could and made something out of it!!! Are you ready for the best BBQ shredded pork ever? Oh and the rolls were fresh baked as well no bread machine or mixing bowl. That's right I had to knead it by hand. Crazy right? But extremely rewarding!!!
Well lets get started.
 Here are the ingredients and recipe for the pork.
1). Pork whatever you have. I used 1 pork roast that was about 1 pound and about 7 pork chops that desperately needed to be used.
2). 2 fresh onions large
3). 2 cans of Dr Pepper
4). 2 bottles of BBQ sauce whatever you have on hand
5). 2 Tablespoons of red chile powder
6). Some salt and pepper
7). 1 Crock pot

OK lets get Started. First things first get your crock pot or slow cooker ready. Take the onions cut them from root to top so long ways into quarters and spread them evenly along the bottom of the crock pot.
Have your pork ready season with salt and pepper a couple teaspoons I would say but everyone is different so as needed and place in your crock pot.
Empty 1 entire bottle of BBQ sauce over the top of your pork followed with both cans of Dr Pepper and then your 2 tablespoons of red chile powder.
Set your crock pot for 6 to 8 hours the longer the better in my opinion. You want the meet to fall apart with little to no effort.
While everything is cooking you will want to turn the meat over every couple hours making sure that the flavor gets all over it.
When the pork is done cooking you will want to scoop about 3/4 of the juice out and add the other bottle of BBQ sauce. Now at this point I added some of the juice back giving it more flavor but that is entirely up to you . . . don't add to much though it will make the BBQ to runny.
Ready just in time for dinner.

While your BBQ pork is cooking you will want to get the bread ready. Now in my opinion bread is quite simple to make just remember 2 things take your time and give yourself plenty of space to work cuz you are about to make a mess :).
For BBQ I prefer a sweeter bread, if you don't like that then cut your sugar to 1/8 cup or less. Here is what you are going to need:
1). 2 packages of dry yeast or 41/2 teaspoons
2). 1 cup sugar or honey
3). 6 cups of lukewarm water
Mix these 3 ingredients together and let stand for 30 minutes.
Now you will want to add:
4). 1/2 cup oil
5). 14 cups more or less of flour. I ended up using almost 16 cups by the time it was all said and done.
You are going to need a pretty strong spoon to stir this or a mixer if you have one. Remember I am also cooking for 8 so if you need to cut ingredients in half or more it is as simple as that. OK next you want to find a good flat surface so you can knead your bread. I started with with about 13 1/2 cups of flour then after I placed the dough on my table I used another cup and a half or so while I was kneading to keep the dough from sticking. I used flour on the table to prevent it from sticking also on the dough and my hands kneading vigorously until it feels right. It will get a stretchy elastic feel to it. 
At this point oil the inside of a large bowl place your dough inside and oil the top of the dough.
Place a towel over the top and let rise for about45 minutes or until doubled in size. When the dough has doubled in size punch it down and begin cutting the dough into loaves I ended up cutting it into about eighths I made enough rolls for everyone and made loaves out of the rest.
Now you can set your oven to 300 degrees let your loaves and rolls set until they are almost double in size again then place in the oven for about an hour. there is nothing better than hot bread and butter.
 Combine the bread and pork and you have an amazing shredded BBQ pork sandwich YUM!!!

                ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

Quiche (K-eee-shh)

Today I made a chicken and kale Quiche from left overs and things that needed to be used. The other day I was given 3 full cases of kale and there was no way in the world I would be able to use all of it. I needed a way to store it. I boiled water and blanched the kale so that I could freeze it and store it. Now  I could use it later. I also used Chicken that had been cooked the day before.

    The first thing you are going to want to do is make a standard pie crust which is quite simple.

1) Sifted all purpose flour 2 1/4 cup
2) Salt 1 teaspoon
3) Shortening 3/4 cup
4) Ice cold water 5 to 6 tablespoons

1) In a medium size bowl mix your flour and salt. Next add your shortening cutting it in with a pastry knife or my personal favorite a fork :). you want the crumbs to be about the size of coarse cornmeal or small peas.

2) Add the very cold water, a little at a time, stirring it with a fork until the dough is just moist enough to stick together. Roll dough into a ball, place into a Ziploc bag and chill in a freezer for about 15 minutes.

3) Roll the dough out on a lightly floured flat surface ( kitchen counter or dining room table work perfect) to 1/8 inch thick. You will then want to line your baking dish pie plate or whatever it is you decide to cook your quiche in.


Preheat Oven to 450f 
Now for making your quiche.

1) Medium size onions 2 diced
2) Kale or Spinach or Chard about 4 cups
3) Eggs 4 lightly beaten
4) Chicken 2 cups chopped
5)Milk or Cream or Evaporated milk 2 cups
6) Salt 1/2 teaspoon
7) Pepper 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon
8) Bacon grease, butter, margarine or olive oil 2 tablespoons
9) Cheese any kind you have available 1 cup grated

1) Start by heating a skillet and sauteing your Chicken, onions and kale in the oil of your choice. (I used bacon grease) until onions are soft.
2) Put contents of your skillet into your pastry crust which at this point should already be in your baking dish. Then sprinkle the cheese over the top.
3) In a medium bowl combine eggs, cream and seasoning, and pour over your chicken and kale mixture.

Bake at 450f for about 10 minutes reduce heat to 325 and bake another 30 to 40 minutes longer, until the custard is set and a knife comes out clean when stuck into the center.

This is an incredibly easy dish to make and so easy to tweak to fit what you have behind the milk or hiding in your cupboard or pantry. Always remember when you are cooking don't be afraid to experiment. Enjoy :)
 

Corned Beef and Hash

This is a great one and easy as well. Here is what you will need.
Potatoes: 1 for each person eating
Onions: half for every 4 people. Diced
Bell Pepper: 1 diced
Canned Corned Beef: 1 can for 8 people

You will need a large skillet to fry everything.
1) You want to cube the potatoes into the cold frying pan.
2) Add about 2 to 3 table spoons of olive oil making sure the potatoes have oil all over them.
3) Turn frying pan on high cooking potatoes for about 12 minutes stirring occasionally.
4) After 12 minutes add corned beef diced onion and bell pepper continue to stir occasionally.
5) Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes
                                      DONE: And enjoy :)


 This is a quick and easy dinner that is sure to satisfy.

A quick dish

Hello everyone :)
 Today I am going to give you a quick easy lunch or dinner recipe that my family loved. Here is what you will need.

1) 16oz bag of elbow macaroni
2) 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
3) 1 can mixed vegetables
4) 2 cans mushroom pieces
5) 2 small yellow onions
6) 1/4 cup margarine or butter


 You will want to start by getting about 2qt of water boiling, then add your pasta. Cook till the pasta is soft.
While your pasta is cooking slice your onions. In a medium frying pan add your onions, mushrooms and the butter, saute' until onions are soft and mushrooms get a dark almost crispy edge. Season with a little salt garlic and pepper.
 When your pasta is finished drain and rinse place back in the pan add cream of mushroom soup, mixed vegetables and sauteed vegetables mix well and enjoy.  

Fried green tomatoes

Here is one of my all time favorites "FRIED GREEN TOMATOES"  This is a recipe that I through together from ingredients I had in my pantry, don't be afraid to improvise. This recipe also works well with any other breaded vegetables you want to fry.
                      My Recipe
4 lg Green tomatoes
4 Eggs
1 C. Buttermilk
1 C. All-purpose flour
1 C. Cornmeal
1/2 C. Crushed Pringles potato chips
1/2 C. Crushed tortilla chips
1 tsp Coarse kosher salt
1 tsp Ground black pepper
1 quart Vegetable oil (for frying)

1) Slice tomatoes 1/4 to 1/2 in thick. Throw away the ends.

2) Whisk eggs and buttermilk in medium size bowl.  Put flour onto a plate. Mix cornmeal, chips, salt and pepper on another plate. Coat tomatoes in flour. Then dip them into the egg and buttermilk mixture. Dredge in the chip and cornmeal mixture until completely coated.

3) In a large skillet pour the vegetable oil ( about a half inch in the pan) heat over medium heat.  Place the tomatoes into the hot oil careful not to place to many, you don't want to crowd them. When the tomatoes are brown on one side flip them over and let them cook on the other side. Drain them on paper towels. Let them cool and enjoy.

Some things you can use in replace of:
Buttermilk for milk
Chips for bread crumbs ( you may need to use more salt if you use bread crumbs)
Eggs for Egg whites
Cornmeal for white cornmeal or grits work well also.

Remember the sky is the limit go out and experiment I find that when things are tight you tend to just make it happen with what ever you have on hand. Let me know what you have tried or if you tried my recipe and liked it, and always have fun!!