Overnight Pancakes

It's no secret that I am not a morning person (you can read my initial confession here). I like to roll out of bed at the last possible second and I go to great lengths to make sure that I can do that. Every evening I ensure that the backpacks are ready with all books and papers. I make the lunches and lay out my kids clothes. I even plan out our breakfast and set the table. All of this in order to stay in bed for just a few more minutes each morning.

So, in an effort to preserve my last few minutes of sleep, I have recently worked on an Overnight Pancake recipe. I wanted a batter that I could mix up the night before, refrigerate and cook in the morning. We tested several recipes and, after a bit of tweaking, we settled on this one. And, the nice thing is that if you prefer, you can make waffles with the batter instead.

Overnight Pancakes

1 ½ Tbsp. butter, melted
2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs
2 cups white whole wheat flour
1 ½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt

Measure all ingredients into a bowl, and stir just until combined. Cover and refrigerate overnight, if desired.  To Prepare: Pour batter onto a hot buttered griddle and cook until bubbles on top pop (about 3-4 minutes). Flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked. Serve hot with butter and syrup. Yield: 12-14 pancakes.

Today I Am...

... sad to see the summer end.

... glad that my kids love their new teachers.

... pleased to have discovered a nut free sandwich spread that my son likes since he is in a nut free classroom this year.

... hopeful that this year we will all thrive and not just survive as we did last year.

What is happening in your world today?

Cinnamon Honey Butter

Have you ever been to a restaurant and tasted freshly baked rolls served with a sweetened butter spread? Delicious! Well, I created this Cinnamon Honey Butter as a restaurant copy. My son, who has a terrible sweet tooth, really likes this on warm bread. And, although we love having Cocoa Cinnamon Spread on hand for toast and leftover rolls, I prefer this because it is not as sweet.

Cinnamon Honey Butter

1 stick butter, softened
3 Tbsp. honey
¼ tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. vanilla

Wisk together all four ingredients. Spread on toast, bagels, rolls, etc. Store at room temperature.

This post has been linked to The Thrifty Home's Penny Pinching Party.

School Lunches

My little one and her new "do" for school.

(She had 12 inches cut off her hair!)

 

We have just a few more days before school starts; and, one of my most dreaded tasks is packing the lunches. When I was growing up, a brown bag lunch was always a sandwich, chips, and fruit. But, my kids get so tired of the same old lunches that I try to vary it up a bit for them. So, if you are scratching your head wondering what to pack in a healthy school lunch, check out some of the things below that my kids enjoy.

Sandwich Alternatives
Pizza Rolls
Ham and Cheese Rolls
Corn Muffins
Pigs in a Blanket

Homemade Snacks
Wheat Crackers
Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
Granola Bars
No Bake Cookie Bars
Custom Trail Mixes
Nut Free Trail Mix
Cranberry Almond Delight Trail Mix
Christmas Crunch Trail Mix

Simple Real Food Choices
Fresh Fruit (bananas, apples, grapes, pears)
Baby Carrots
Cheese Sticks
Raisin Boxes
Unsweetened Applesauce Cups
Nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashews)
Dried Fruit (apricots, dates, bananas)
Vanilla Yogurt

I am looking forward to trying several new recipes in the next few weeks: a three ingredient granola bar recipe, homemade soft pretzels, and a healthy crispy treat recipe. I will definitely let you know how we like them. What do you pack in your kids lunches that they love?

One Timers

From time to time I will share with you some of the recipe flops that we have tasted. We call these flops One Timers. (You can learn more about how this term came about here.) I try 3-5 new recipes each week. I am always testing and altering recipes to accommodate for my family's likes and dislikes. But, sometimes a recipe just isn't worth the effort. And, the recipes below are some that I do not plan to try again.

These Poppy Seed Muffins looked promising, but were tasteless. I would like to find a delicious Poppy Seed Muffin recipe, but I'm not too excited about trying a new recipe any time soon because these literally left a bad taste in my mouth!

While staying with a friend earlier this summer I browsed through her cookbooks and came across this recipe for Gingerbread Scones. I thought that they might be a nice variation on the Scones that I typically make. But, they weren't that exciting, so I have no intention of making them again.

Finally, this Cinnamon Bread was so simple and quick to mix up. It was moist and pretty, but did not have enough flavor. I ended up making a batch of Cinnamon Cocoa Spread to put on this bread to coax my kids to eat it.

Not all recipes turn out as beautifully as planned, but keep trying! It's worth the effort when you find a gem. Have you had any flops lately?

Fascinating Find - Zucchini Brownies

Zucchini abounds this time of year; but, sadly no one at my house cares too much for it. However, I thought that I might still be able to bake with it without too much objection. I tried muffins, bread, and cake. None of the recipes were received with enthusiasm. Then I found this recipe for Zucchini Brownies. They are moist, fudgy, and delicious! I have made them several times now and I have served them to friends twice. Everyone loves them and gobbles them up gladly without recognizing that zucchini is a main ingredient. 

I found this recipe on Christin's blog called Baltic Maid, a food blog about both international and healthy recipes. Christin, is from Germany and grew up on the Baltic Sea, thus the name Baltic Maid. Be sure to visit her blog for this fabulous Zuchinni Brownie recipe and many others.

Recipe Link: Zucchini Brownies
Web Link: Baltic Maid

 

Recipe Note: I have not used the Cardamom called for in this recipe simply because I do not keep it on hand.

Bread Maker Bread

At the beginning of the year, I announced my Frugal Kitchen Goal's for 2013. Basically my four goals are:

1. Create a Weekly Meal Plan
2. Prepare Homemade Convenience Foods
3. Reduce Food Waste
4. Stock the Pantry 

Over the last eight months, I have worked diligently on my goals. But, I have made the least progress on #2. What I have realized is that with my transition from being a two parent home to a single parent home, I have twice the responsibility that I once had. Preparing homemade convenience foods is the most time consuming goal on my list and that is why I have not been able to make as much progress. 

So, after putting some thought into it, I decided that going back to using a bread maker might be a good way to obtain homemade bread with minimal effort. I have had two bread makers in the past which I have used until they have burned out. When the second one burned out, I learned to make homemade no-knead bread. After researching bread makers, I found that I was not willing to pay the high price tag! Thus, I began a thrift store search for a “like new” bread maker. It didn't take long for me to bring this one home for the very random price of $8.47.

I dug out my old Bread Machine Cookbook by Donna Rathmell German and began making bread. My machine works great and I have made more homemade bread in the last month than I have in the last six months combined.

 
I have made French Honey Bread (pictured above), Applesauce Bread, and Cinnamon Raisin Bread. Over the years, I have made many other breads from The Bread Machine Cookbook and I'm looking forward to trying them again.

Friends, Books, and a Kitchen Solution

A few days ago I told you about our visit with family and friends in New England. We spent an entire weekend with a dear couple that we have known for almost 15 years. D was with me when my oldest was born and was a great help to me as a new mom. Above, D is reading to my children. On her lap is a book called Andrew Henry's Meadow written and illustrated by Doris Burn. D says that it was her older son's favorite book as a child. 

 

 

When we got home last week, we made a trip to the thrift store and saw the very same book for sale for only 25 cents. The cover is worn and stained and looks exactly like D's copy. Needless to say, we brought it home!

 

 

D enjoys being in her kitchen just like I do. And, as a matter of fact, I have told you about D once before when I shared my recipe for Caramel in a Can. During our visit, I noticed that each time D needed to grease a baking pan or a skillet she pulled out a room temperature stick of butter that she kept in a glass container and used a silicone basting brush to coat her pan. What a great idea! Much simpler than filling the kitchen spritzer that I had been using (which was constantly clogging). So, as soon as I got home I threw away that old spritzer, put some butter into a half pint canning jar and began using it to grease my pans. Love it! Thanks D for such an easy kitchen solution. 

Vacation #2

We have just returned from a two week trip home to visit with my family in Maine and New Hampshire. 

We spent our time visiting with my parents, touring a Colonial village, swimming at the beach,

...camping with the cousins, roasting marshmallows, fishing,

...catching up with dear friends, driving the John Deere, roasting more marshmallows,

... and celebrating my mom's birthday!

We have had a full summer! But, we planned it that way and we have enjoyed every minute of it. Has your summer been full too?