by Psyche on Monday 13 April, 2009
Good morning everyone! *yawns* Since I have leftover mashed potatoes from dinner last night, I decided to share one of my favorite uses for them.
Potato Pancakes
2 cups mashed potatoes
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon butter
- In a medium bowl, beat egg and salt. Add potatoes and cheese, mixing well.
- Melt butter on a large frying pan or griddle on medium heat.
- Drop potato mixture onto griddle 1/4 cup at a time.
- With a spatula, flatten the pancakes to 1/2 inch thick.
- Cook each side until golden brown, about 5 minuted per side. Serve hot.
If you want them more savory, add some garlic, onions or chives.
One of my favorite ways of making these is frying onions in the pan first and once they are removed, frying the potato pancakes in the oniony butter and then served with the fried onions. So good!
I like to serve these with eggs, soft boiled for me. Yum!
by Psyche on Sunday 12 April, 2009
Sadly, the Apple Pancake recipe we tried today did not live up to the hype. It was too eggy and was rather flat and dense instead of light. I wonder if using a recipe that is more like a popover would help.
The sauce was not bad but not exactly what I was looking for. I will try it again with more cinnamon and applesauce instead of apples.
All in all it was still very tasty, just not what I was hoping for.
by Psyche on Saturday 11 April, 2009
I grew up in the town of Sequim (pronounced “Skwim”), Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula. Of all the things I miss the most about Sequim, I think it has to be the apple pancake served at the Oak Table Cafe. They are famous for this pancake! It is filled with apples, oven baked like a soufflé and covered with a rich cinnamon glaze. My mouth waters just thinking about it! If you are ever traveling through Sequim, you must stop by and try it. You will not be sorry! I am half tempted to make the trip across country just to have some myself!
Since moving from Sequim, I have been trying to recreate this drool inducing convection on a number of occasions. I have tried a number of recipes and nothing quite did it for me. I will be trying the following recipes on Easter Sunday for brunch. I can hardly wait! *crossing fingers*
Dutch Apple Pancake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter
3 large Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored and cut into 1/4 inch slices)
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
5 eggs
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
Preheat oven to 400°F.
In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Saute apples until tender, 5-6 minutes. Mix together the sugar and cinnamon, reserving 1/8 cup. Pour the remaining mixture over the apples and stir until well mixed.
Spread the apple mixture into a greased 10×15 inch glass baking dish. (Note: This step can be done the night before and refrigerated. Just place the apples, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 10 minutes so they heat up.)
In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, milk and flour, mix until smooth. Pour the batter evenly over apples and place in the oven on the middle rack for 12-15 minutes, until it begins to puff and the edges start to crisp.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with reserved cinnamon and sugar mixture. Dot with remaining butter (about 1 tablespoon) and return to the oven for another 12-15 minutes or until pancake is puffed and peaked.
Best served hot with maple syrup or apple cinnamon sauce.
Apple Cinnamon Sauce
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Yield: 2 cups
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 medium apples, peeled and sliced
In a saucepan, bring brown sugar, water, butter, cornstarch and cinnamon to a boil; boil until thick (about 2 minutes), stirring frequently.
Stir in apples; cook until tender (about 10-12 minutes).
by Psyche on Tuesday 7 April, 2009
Baked Tortilla Chips
12 6-inch tortillas – corn or flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Brush both sides of the tortillas with oil. (I use an oil mister)
- With a pizza cutter or kitchen shears, cut each tortillas into sixths
- Spread chips in a single layer on two baking sheets
- Sprinkle with salt
- Bake for 11-15 minutes until crisp and golden brown, rotating the pan once.
I often sprinkle the tortillas with chili powder and lime juice to make things interesting.
by Psyche on Monday 6 April, 2009
Ever have one of those nights when you get home too late to cook what was on the menu? Me too. Often. This recipe started out as a “throw something in the pot” meal but we liked it so much we decided to add it to the regular rotation. It is quick, simple and nourishing. I usually serve this with cornbread or baked tortilla chips.
Taco Bean Soup
1 onion, chopped (optional)
1 tsp oil (optional)
8 ounces V-8 juice
1 packet taco seasoning or equivalent spices
1 can tomatoes, diced or crushed
1 1/2 cups (15 oz can) kidney beans, rinsed
1 1/2 cups (15 oz can) pinto beans, rinsed
1 1/2 cups (15 oz can) black beans, rinsed
- Saute the onion in oil until cooked through (or mushy if desired)
- In blender or food processor, blend the kidney beans, V-8 and taco seasoning until smooth.
- Add bean mixture, tomatoes and beans to the onions and seasoning and bring to boil, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve with hot sauce, cheese and sour cream if desired.
by Psyche on Monday 6 April, 2009
Meatless Monday is a national public health campaign to help Americans prevent heart disease, stroke and cancer – the three leading causes of death in America.
To find out more about the Meatless Monday campaign, check out their website at www.meatlessmonday.com.
by Psyche on Saturday 8 September, 2007
Serves: 4-5
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
5 cups cooked rice
4 cups rice milk or milk
2 medium size apples — chopped
½ cup raisins
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot
2. Bring to a boil
3. Continue boiling, stirring continuously for 3 minutes or until apples are soft or… after bring the porridge to a boil the temperature can be turned down, covered, and left to simmer for 10-15 minutes
Notes: We like to serve the porridge with topping options of toasted almonds, rice milk, butter, and honey
by Psyche on Saturday 8 September, 2007
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup pancake mix
1/3 cup sugar, total
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 large cooking apples, peeled, sliced
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl combine the eggs, milk, pancake mix, and 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Combine well until it forms a smooth batter. Set aside. In a small bowl combine the remaining sugar and the cinnamon. Set aside.
Spray a microwave safe, 2 to 3-inch deep, 9-inch, round glass pie plate with cooking spray. Then, add all the sliced apples to the dish. Cover with plastic wrap. Cook in the microwave for 5 to 6 minutes, or until apples are tender.
When apples are done cooking, pour reserved batter over apples. Then generously sprinkle the top of the batter with the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
Cover the pie plate with foil and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the pancake is set. Best served hot with maple syrup or apple cinnamon sauce.
