Bacon and Egg Stuffed Pancake Muffins

I came up with this idea sometime last summer and dubbed myself a genius.  Sometimes you have to pat your own back, you know? 

Okay, okay...  I probably wasn't the first person in the world to think of this... or DO it, either.  But don't tell my family, please.  They still think I'm a genius and I need them to hold on to that for awhile.  It makes me hopeful that they'll be more forgiving the next time I burn something and make them eat it anyway.  It happens.

Spanish Rice

Before I get into this recipe I feel it necessary to make a statement: ahem

In posting this recipe for Spanish Rice, it is not my intention to start a riot.  It is not my purpose to offend you, your family, your grandmother, your country, or your culture.  Thank you.

Tequila Lime Shrimp Tacos

When I say tequila, I mean it.  It really comes through in this recipe.  If you've ever had a bad tequila experience (and if you have, then you know the kind I'm talking about...) and you haven't quite gotten over it, then you might exercise some caution while reading this post.  Or just walk away.  Its okay.  I understand. 

Vanilla Bean AND Strawberry Ice Cream

We had a warm day and the first thing that came to my mind was, "I think I'll make ice cream..."  Is that so wrong??

I consulted with my three year old. 

She concurred. 

Chicken Enchilada Calzones

I was surprised at how well these turned out considering they started as a "cleaning out my pantry and using up my leftovers" kinda meal.  Everyone loved them.  I made a lot of them because I decided they would also be good picnic food for the next day's lunch.  Who doesn't like cold pizza, right?

Honey Vanilla Lemonade

Lemonade is one of my favorite warm weather drinks.  It's cool, refreshing, and tart.  Better for you than soda, and more satisfying than water.  Sometimes I like to mix things up a little and put a new spin on old favorites.  I found this recipe for Honey Vanilla Lemonade several years ago and I new I had to try it.  I've been hooked ever since.  Its still the same sweet/tart flavor of a regular lemonade, but it has a nice smoothness due to the vanilla, and a subtly sweet honey flavor.  It's delicious. 

Shrimp and Corn Chowder

Here's a nice chowder to serve along with those Cheddar Bay Biscuits I posted last week.  I made them together and couldn't have been more pleased by how well they got along. 

Let me tell you how much I love shrimp. 

I LOVE SHRIMP!!!

If I had to request a last meal (we won't get into the details about the events leading up to such a request), it is very likely that shrimp will be involved.  Maybe as an appetizer, possibly as a component of the second course (my last meal would have seven courses, minimum.  No, I haven't put much thought into this, why do you ask?), but definitely involved somewhere. 

Blueberry Muffins

Muffins are fabulous foods.  They're perfect for grab-and-go mornings or just a lazy Saturday when you can sit and enjoy one with a hot cup of tea (or coffee, if that's more your style). 

Reasons why I love muffins:

1. They're technically not cupcakes, but you can fool yourself into thinking they are.
2.  Because they're not cupcakes, you can justify eating two without too much guilt.
3.  They are so versatile!  Savory, sweet, hardy, light, however you want to spin it, a muffin can handle it!

I could go on, but lets just get to the recipe already, sheesh.

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

I like these biscuits.  They're tasty.  I want to eat them as a meal, but that would be irresponsible.  And gluttonous.  And I would be setting a bad example for my carbaholic daughter.  I hate setting a bad example. 

Double Chocolate Muffins

Ooooohhh Maaannnn...
That's all I have to say.

That, and it kinda makes me think of UFOs....

Anyone?

...just me?

...nevermind.

Meatloaf

Meatloaf was never one of my favorite foods growing up.  It was always kinda bland, boring, and tasted like... well, like bland boring meat, I guess.  But I think that had more to do with the way it was prepared rather than the dish itself.  Meatloaf, I have discovered, can be very tasty.  It all depends on the kind of flavor you want to mix into it.  I like mine to be a little zesty.  I've come up with a recipe that adds just the right amount of zest without being overpowering and still tastes like a traditional recipe.

Honey Bun Cake

I can't decide if this is a dessert or a breakfast...

Its sweet enough and satisfying enough to fulfill that after dinner sugar craving, but it also sings of cinnamon and brown sugar and that delicious icing I associate with donuts and cinnamon rolls. 

Its a toss up, I tell you.  I've been eating it at night after the kids go to bed, because I want to be able to savor every bite.  And, as anyone with kids can tell you, when there are children present whilst eating, meals are just a shovefest that happens between calls of, "Eat your peas!" and, "Get your finger out of your nose!"

Garlic String Bean Chicken

I had a craving for Chinese food.  It happens a lot. 

I also had a large amount of green beans that I needed to cook.  That happens a lot, too. 

We eat a lot of green beans around here. 

This tastes a lot like the string bean chicken you might order at a well-known Chinese-food-chain-restaurant- with-a-Panda-for-a-mascot who shall remain nameless.

Don't ask me where I got the recipe.  I'll never tell.

Chocolate Andes St. Patrick's Day Cookies

These are probably my favorite cookies ever.  I love chocolate.  I love mint.  I love Andes.  Put it all together and I love, love, love these cookies. 

I always think of these around St. Patrick's Day because St. Patrick's Day makes me think of the color green, green makes me think of mint, and mint makes me think of these cookies.  Therefore, I think they're St. Patrick's Day cookies.  You can't change my mind. 

Blueberry Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

This is an easy make ahead recipe that would be perfect for a brunch or special occasion breakfast.  You make it the night before so there's no need to wake up at the crack of dawn to start cooking.  I like that.  More sleep = happy Heather. 

Start with some day old french bread.  I happened to have half a loaf that I made before a busy weekend of birthday parties, errands, and various running around.  We weren't home to eat it, otherwise it wouldn't have been there.  French bread doesn't last long around here. 

Pot O' Gold Bread

Is this totally cute, or what?

I'm trying to get ahead of the game and am starting to do fun St. Patrick's Day stuff before I discover that its March 16th.  I came up with this cute little bread creation on paper and was relying on luck that it would translate well in bread form.  Not too shabby, I think.  Here's how I did it:

Rosemary Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Julia hates potatoes.  She won't even eat french fries.  On the rare occasions when she gets a happy meal, she is sure to inform me that she would rather eat apples with her cheeseburger, and "NOT french fries, Mommy!"

Weird kid. 

Sammy, on the other hand, would live on french fries and tater tots if it were humanly possible.  She is my meat and potatoes girl. 

Just because one or both of my kids doesn't like a certain food, it doesn't mean that I'm going to stop serving it to them.  I like potatoes.  So I make potatoes.  And I put them on my children's plates.  It's their job to try everything on their plates, regardless of the fact that they have never liked that food in the past.  I love this rule.  And every once in a while it pays off. 

Beef Stew

My husband and I used to work together as science teachers at the same high school.   Students were frequently confused.  Especially at the beginning of the school year... "Did you know that they put 'Mr.' on the schedule?  Oooh, burn!"...  "Mr. Wilson is in the next building over.  You're in the wrong class."...  "Oh."...  *slink away*

This situation had its ups and downs.

Up:  We drove to work together so our gas bill was totally manageable.
Down:  I couldn't leave until he was ready to leave.  He's such a workaholic. 

Up:  We got to eat lunch together everyday.
Down:  We had nothing new to talk about.

Up:  We totally got to gossip to each other about people, and we always knew who the other was talking about!  I mean... we didn't gossip.  That's not nice.
Down:  We kinda gossiped about people, and we always knew who the other was talking about.  

Up:  Every year our Home Ec dept. would have a cookbook sale as a fundraiser and my hunny always bought one for me!

Brownies Baby!!

Brownies are my husband's favorite food of all time, I think.  He didn't say that.  I'm taking a leap, here.  Here's why:

1.  When I ask what kind of dessert I should make, his answer is always, "brownies."
2.  When I make brownies, he eats them.  ALL of them.
3.  If he doesn't get to eat the LAST brownie, he pouts.

I think I have a pretty good case.

I made these brownies last night and the girls and I polished off the last two while he was at work today.  Ten bucks says he has something to say about it when he gets home.  Double or nothing he demands more.

Belgian Waffles

My family loves these waffles!  They are requested often.  I love them, too.  They rank right up there with the fancy round waffles they serve you at Denny's.  You know the ones all covered in strawberries and whipped cream?  My old boyfriend used to call it the "Army Ant Special" and he made fun of me for ordering a plate of sugar for breakfast.  Did I mention we broke up?

Anyway, I love these waffles, army ant style or otherwise.

Let me make something clear right from the beginning.  You need three bowls.  Its necessary.  Don't try to simplify for the sake of fewer dishes to clean.  Your waffles will suffer for it.  Make your peace now.