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 Friday 10 April, 2009
They captured the Easter Bunny!
Is it bad that I want one of those?
by Psyche on Thursday 9 April, 2009
You know how I know it is a full moon? His Toddlerness is still awake, at 1:30 am!
I have no clue why but he is very in tune with the moon and he has been this way since birth. It is a full moon it is guaranteed that his sleep schedule will be that of a vampire… or werewolf. Hmmm… he is furry enough. As a newborn, he used to howl at night whenever it was a full moon. It really did sound like he was howling “Aaah-rooooo!”
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 Sunday 5 April, 2009
I have a confession to make.
While my first love is milk in glass bottles, I am really liking the new square milk jug design. Not only do they fit better in the refrigerator, but I do not have to worry that the lid it going to pop off like happened with the older style of milk jugs. Even the screw tops popped occasionally.
I am constantly finding new ways to reuse the square milk jugs. We wash use them for other beverages like iced tea, lemonade and even alcohol.
Fill a clean jug with water, leaving room for expansion and freeze. In case of power failure, your foods in the freezer will stay cold longer. We put two in our cooler when we drove to Orlando last month and everything stayed cold with no mess and no melted ice to drain. There was still ice in the jugs 3 days later. The added bonus is you have cold water to drink as the ice melts.
These jugs are perfect for storing homemade laundry detergent and dishwasher soap too.
by Psyche on Saturday 4 April, 2009
Powdered Laundry Detergent
1 part borax
1 part baking soda
1 part washing soda (sodium carbonate)
1 part bar soap (finely grated)
Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed container.
Use 2 tablespoon powder per full load.
Hint – if you are unable to find a box of washing soda, look in swimming pool supplies for PH Up, which is also sodium carbonate.
Adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle will:
- help remove stains
- make your brights brighter
- help dark clothes stay dark
- decrease lint
- help remove soap residue from clothing and the washing machine
- soften clothes
