Gingerbread Dutch Baby

We are taking a little Christmas inspiration from food-blogging-goddess, Joy The Baker. I've made this recipe a couple times in the past and  each time I've changed it a bit here and there to better suit my family's tastes.

I love this recipe for it's simplicity....dump it in the blender then dump it in the skillet. So easy! And it's delicious!

Homemade Funnel Cakes

What is it about fair food that brings even the most nutrition conscience people to their knees?

Don't judge. I ate a funnel cake for breakfast. I put blueberries on it though. So it was good for me.

I started 2015 with 1 simple resolution, to make a move towards eating better food. While a funnel cake is far from a healthy choice, I made it with all organic, farm fresh ingredients. So it still keeps me on track for my resolution.

Funnel Cakes
Makes 4
modified from Paula Deen

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 large egg
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
oil for frying

Heat oil either in a deep fryer or a cast iron skillet. Make sure that oil is at least 2 inches deep. Heat to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and add wet ingredients. Stir, starting from the center working outwards until well combined.

(I highly recommend getting a squeeze bottle to use for this.) Pour batter into a funnel or into a squeeze bottle.

Squeeze into hot oil, starting in the center and spiraling outward. Once it begins to float, using tongs, to push it back down so that it is submerged in the oil. If you cannot submerge it, you'll have to flip it over.

It will only take 2-3 minutes to cook each funnel cake. Remove when nicely browned.

Serve with fruit compote, powdered sugar, or your choice of topping.

Old Fashioned Johnny Cakes

I am not sure why, but I have always been a fan of historical things...antiques, old books, living history re-enactments, 1800's architecture, and so much more. I am beginning to plan my dream house, modeled after an 1800's plantation. While being wrapped up in staring at Google Images of restored older homes, my inability to focus for long periods of time, I seem to constantly end up going off on tangents to everything else from that time era. Lately my new "go to" tangent has been antique cook books. With the internet, you can get vintage cook books with a few simple clicks, ready for reading on an e-reader. Technology is a wonderful thing!

Last night, my attention wandered in the direction of breakfast foods in a 1908 cook book. While looking at the pancake recipe, I noticed a "Indian Fritter" recipe that I had to try out once I put a little effort into modernizing it. I believe they are also called Johnny Cakes in the south, which for modern day purposes and the need to be politically correct, is what I will be referring to them as.

Old Fashioned Griddle Cakes by Fannie Farmer

For years I have had an obsession with vintage recipes, or receipts as they were once called. One of my favorite recipes comes from the Boston School of Cooking Cook Book written by Fannie Merritt Farmer in 1900. Griddle Cakes. The recipe is similar to that of traditional pancakes but with a slight change in yet just different enough to be a nice switch to the breakfast menu.

These are fried in a bit of grease or butter or oil, giving them a crisp edge while the middle of the pancake is tender and moist. A must try for all pancake lovers!

Aebleskivers - Danish Pancake Balls

A friend recently recommended I check out Cast Iron Cooking, a group on Facebook for Cast Iron everything. I must say, since I joined the group last week, I have become a little addicted. The amount of awesome pictures, recipes, and just pieces of cast iron is AMAZING.

It just amazes me when you sit and read about people still using these 100+ year old skillets that are in absolutely perfect condition. I have a decent amount of cast iron items in my cookware collection, however it does not see frequent use because of my small kitchen and storage issues with it. I cannot wait to have a bigger kitchen so that I can make good use of the pieces I have.

This morning's breakfast was inspired by several recent inquires on the group regarding an Aebleskiver Pan. These wonderful little pancake balls are most common in Denmark although they exist in many countries. To the Dutch, they are poffertjes. Munker in Norway. They even reach as far as Japan, where they are savory instead of sweet and called Takoyaki.

Whatever you call them, they are delicious!

Fried Apples

It's a great fall morning, I am up early than necessary to await on a repairman who will show up between 8 and 5. Since I have to be up, I might as well be productive and making something yummy to eat.

Upon inspection of a mostly empty fridge, I decided on some buttermilk pancakes topped with fried apples. I know you can open a can and just heat them, but homemade fried apples are just so amazing! You must make them!

Berry Mug Muffin

Today is one of the rare days that I find myself home alone at breakfast time. Even my cats abandoned me this morning.

I am now curled up with a book, this deliciously simple "muffin", and a over-sized cup of coffee. A great start to a relaxing day home alone!

Apple Cider Oatmeal

A beautiful Saturday here in my house. Yesterday I couldn't resist getting some apple cider while I was out and about. I was craving this wonderful Mulled Apple Cider. It embodies everything that is fall from my childhood.

This morning I decided to add a little of that cider into my breakfast oatmeal for a little change. It was delicious. A perfect fall breakfast. (And it takes less than 10 minutes to make!)

Caramel French Toast

I am a firm believer in starting every day with a hot, filling breakfast. While my pantry does have a collection of cereal, in my world, it serves the purpose of a late night snack. There is something so satisfying about getting up, frying up some breakfast meats, and cooking. It makes me feel accomplished when I've made a delicious breakfast and enjoyed it sitting at the table reading the news or a new book. Starting the day with that type of accomplishment just seems to set the mood for a productive day.

You should start your day with this delicious Caramel French Toast and tell me that you don't feel amazing afterwards!

Pumpkin Swirl Coffee Cake

The cool fall air has apparently made my cat lose his mind. Cats are notorious for taking off at high speeds just to go from one room to the next. My Ralph has lost control. He took off from the kitchen as fast as he could and then I hear this loud thumb as he crashes into the wall. A few seconds later he comes running out towards the kitchen again and somehow managed to get into the back of the dishwasher that I was loading with breakfast dishes. I just wish I had had my camera handy to take a picture of my cat stuck behind all the dishes in there.

While the fall season is making my little furry friend extra nutty, it is making me crave all the delicious things.

After freeing Ralph from the clutches of the evil dishwasher, I set about mixing up this delicious pumpkin swirl coffee cake.

Spiced Pumpkin Waffles

Let it be October. A season of mixed emotions for many.

As the cooler weather settles in, so many are sighing in relief as the summer heat fades into cool nights and warm days. That relief from the heat also comes with sadness as we say good bye to sipping ice cold lemonade, barbecues & picnics with friends, and swimming.

Now is the season to start looking forward to evening bon fires, pumpkin & apple EVERYTHING, and it's time to start shopping for that perfect winter coat.

It's also time to try out these AMAZING waffles. I love these waffles because they are the only pumpkin waffles I have found that actually have the ability to become crispy.

Raspberry Peach Pancakes

As summer comes to an end, I am sad to see the end of the local summer fruits at the local farmer's market.

As a farewell to summer, I've whipped up a batch of pancakes using one of my favorite fruit combinations, red raspberries and peaches. There is nothing complex or complicated about making these pancakes but there is something magical about the balance of the spices and the fruit that goes into them.

Red Velvet Pancakes

After a stressful week, I needed some inspiration to motivate myself into having a semi-productive weekend. What better way to find that inspiration than when red velvet pancakes with mascarpone cheese frosting? If you've had a stressful week or are just looking for a delicious breakfast that takes only minutes to make, these pancakes are definitely for you!

Crab Cake Eggs Benedict

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
                  ~Confucius

I have never understood why people insist on making things so much more difficult on themselves. This is especially true when it comes to my coworkers. Nothing can just be. Everything has to be twisted, overdone, or a dozen steps have to be added to a simple task. What a week it has been!

What better way to welcome the weekend than to create an elegant brunch?

Lemon Blueberry Sticky Buns

Let's start this week with a smile and a delicious sticky roll!

It is Monday and Monday's require an extra dose of motivation to get up and get the week started. My motivation today happens to be Lemon Blueberry Sticky Buns. Let me tell you, these little rolls are absolutely AMAZING.

I am not typically a fan of making any kind of rolls just because I can never get my dough to rise properly (mostly because I am impatient), but this dough was fool proof. It came out perfectly with little work.

Pineapple, Lime, & Mascarpone Baked Pancake with Dulce de Leche

Happy Sunday.

This morning has been one of those peaceful mornings where all I can do is sit back, sip a hot cup of peppermint tea, and reflect on a million different and completely irrelevant thoughts.

The main thing going through my mind lately is how complicated we have made our daily lives. I remember Sunday mornings when I was little that only allowed for family breakfasts, a relaxing day around the house, and a big Sunday dinner. Stores, if even open at all, opened late and closed by 6pm. There were no 24-hour mega marts. No 24-hour movie rentals. You didn't have a choice but to stay home and focus on your family.

What ever happened to those days?

I've decided today is going to be a stress-free, relaxing Sunday. This delicious breakfast is a great way to start a stress-free Sunday. Trust me. It really is.

Apricot Galette with Almonds

I spent my Saturday exploring Biltmore House, downtown Asheville, NC, and driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was an absolutely gorgeous setting and an amazing day to just walk around and enjoy the scenery. I also got to spend this time with an amazing man who has recently come into my life.

Is a 3rd date too early to be ready to marry somebody? He's just that perfect.

It's hard to top a romantic, peaceful day spent with great company, but this Apricot Galette comes close.

Cannoli Stuffed French Toast

Let me tell you about this French toast I made this morning. This is breakfast-in-bed type of food you should be serving your mother for Mother's Day. That is if you're able to cook for your mother. And she's a breakfast-in-bed type of mother. My mother is too far away to cook for. And she is not a breakfast-in-bed type of mom. She's a cold-cereal-at-the-table-and-hot-cup-of-tea-while-watching-the-news type of person. But if she was here and she was, I would totally make this for my mom.

Fried Polenta

I woke up before my alarm went off this morning. Maybe it was in anticipation of being able to fry up yesterday's left over Creamy Brown Sugar Vanilla Polenta. It definitely wasn't in anticipation of it being Monday. I like to hide from Mondays, hoping that it won't be able to find me if I just put my pillow over my head and lay in bed for just a little longer.

The thought of being able to make this fried polenta this morning was definitely the motivation I needed to remove the pillow from over my head and crawl out of bed. Take that you evil Monday!

Creamy Brown Sugar Vanilla Polenta

Simple Pleasures. It is something that I have done my entire life but never put a name to it until seeing a Hallmark movie a few years ago called The Wish List.

The lead in the movie reminds me of so many people who are part of my every day life. The lead character is all about organization and focusing strictly on her goals in life. Then she meets this man -a barista- who is the opposite of everything that she is. Fast foward. They fall in love and live happily ever after. Typical Hallmark movie. But there is a scene where she is disgusted as he bite into this sloppy, juicy burger. He explains to her that it is his "simple pleasure" for the day. Every day he allows himself to have one thing that he enjoys and he takes the time to truly enjoy it.

What a great concept right?

I often find myself swept up in the chaotic mess that is American society. Let's face it, we all want perfection in our lives. I, myself am a highly goal oriented person. I however always take a few moments each day to do something that I enjoy and just remove myself from the craziness that typically consumes my world.

Yesterday my simple pleasure was driving off Raleigh with a friend for sushi. This morning it was enjoying this porridge on my front porch watching the sun come up over the trees and warm the earth.