Baked French Toast Casserole

This recipe is DEADLY and DELICIOUS! It's a Paula Deen dish... so eaters beware! I've tried making this with 1/2 the eggs, milk, and half-n-half. It's good that way, too -- a little less bread pudding, a little more french toast. I also HIGHLY recommend adding a huge dollop of fresh whipped cream on top with maple syrup. Delicious!

Casserole:

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the casserole and bake for 40-60 minutes (it turns out differently every time for me -- just watch it), until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping: 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Use entire mixture to cover french toast casserole.

Sweet Sushi

Something's fishy about this sushi -- maybe because the only fish in it comes from the candy aisle!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
Pound cake, cut into 1-inch-thick slices
White frosting
Fruit leather (we used FruitaBü Organic Smoooshed Grape Fruit Twirls)
Flaked coconut
An assortment of candies and jellies for sweet toppings and sushi sides

1. Sushi bases: For rolls, use a knife to cut 1 1/2-inch circles from a slice of cake. Frost the tops of the circles, then wrap a 6-inch strip of fruit leather seaweed around each one, using a dab of frosting to secure it. Press coconut rice into the frosting. For individual sushi, cut a cake slice into rectangles and round the edges, as shown. Frost the top and sides of each oval, then roll it in coconut.

2. Sweet toppings: From left to right, starting with the top row, we used orange nonpareils, apricot preserves, and pieces of Twizzlers Rainbow Twists. In the middle row, we used a green gumdrop slice, diced Swedish Fish, and gumdrop wedges. On the bottom row, we topped the sushi base with a Swedish Fish, then wrapped it with a strip of fruit leather.

3. Sushi sides: To make wasabi, warm a green Starburst candy in the microwave for 10 seconds, then use your hands to work it into a mound. For pickled ginger, microwave and flatten an orange Starburst candy, then bunch it up into a pile, as shown.

Recipe from Family Fun.

Yummy Tea Party Scones

These are the best scones for Tea parties that I have found!! And so EASY!! ~Mindy

1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1 egg
Course sugar for top of scones
In a small bowl, blend the sour cream and baking soda, and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt. Cut in the butter. Stir the sour cream mixture and egg into the flour mixture until just moistened.
Separate dough into 12 circles and coat with course sugar.
Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom.

Orange and Arugula Salad with Marmalade Dressing

Mindy Powell
Adapted from Rachael Ray show

1 tablespoon orange marmalade
1 lemon (juice and zest)
3 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and pepper to taste
3 oranges, skin and white outer pith removed, then sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
5 cups arugula (or mixed fancy greens)
Whisk together the marmalade, lemon juice and zest, salt, pepper, and EVOO. I let people make their own salad by arrange arugula and orange discs on plate and drizzle with dressing.

Broccoli & Cheese Quiche

Mindy Powell

1 pie crust (frozen or refrigerated)
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped broccoli thawed (I freeze my own or you can use frozen from store)
4 eggs
1 cup cream
½ cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
1 t Italian Seasoning or 1 T fresh herbs
Preheat oven to 400°F. Let frozen pie crust thaw while preheating oven and then cook for ten minutes. Remove from oven and turn oven to 375°F. Sprinkle half of the cheese evenly onto bottom of crust and top with broccoli. Beat eggs, cream, milk and seasonings until well blended; pour over ingredients in crust. Top with remaining cheese. Bake 45 minutes and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Cauliflower Pasta

Mindy Powell
Adapted from Rachael Ray

8 T butter
1 cauliflower head, cut into florets
Coarse sea salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
1 pound linguine
10 fresh sage leaves or ½ teaspoon dried sage
2 T fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 T minced garlic
¾ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan

½ cup breadcrumbs & more Parmesan to serve at the table

Boil large pot of water for pasta. In a large skillet, melt 2 T butter over medium-low heat. Add cauliflower florets and 1/4 teaspoon salt and sauté for 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water; cook until cauliflower is tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 5 minutes. Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
In pasta pot, melt remaining 6 T butter over medium heat. Stir in sage, thyme, and garlic; cook until butter is golden brown, 3 minutes. Add pasta, cauliflower, parsley, and Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and add reserved cooking water if pasta seems dry. To serve, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and more Parmesan.

Spring & Summer Ziti

Mindy Powell Family
Adapted from Rachael Ray

2 T EVOO
1 T onion flakes
3 large garlic cloves minced
2 14 oz cans stewed tomatoes
1 T Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
10-12 leaves fresh basil, thinly sliced
1 pound ziti with lines
1 pound thin asparagus (trimmed and chopped into 1 1/2 inch pieces on an angle)
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup freshly grated parmigiano cheese
½ pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring to a boil to cook the pasta. While the water is coming to a boil, sauté the onion flakes and garlic with 2 T EVOO over medium heat. Stir in tomatoes and crush them with a potato masher. Season the sauce with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to your taste. Cook five minutes more then stir in basil and turn off heat.
While sauce is simmering, add salt to boiling water and cook the pasta to just under al dente – it should have a nice bite left to it. After the pasta has been cooking for 5 minutes, add in the asparagus. Add frozen peas a minute before draining. Drain pasta and veggies, reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water. Add ricotta and half the Parmigiano cheese to the hot pasta pot. Add the hot pasta and veggies back to the pot and stir to coat evenly. Add the pasta water.
Pour half the sauce into a large baking dish. Add all of the ziti to the dish and top with remaining sauce. Dot the top of the ziti with mozzarella and remaining Parmigiano. Place in oven until top is brown and bubbly, about 12 minutes.

Our Favorite Buttermilk Brownies!

Buttermilk Brownies

1 cup margarine
1 cup water
1/3 cup cocoa

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
½ cup buttermilk
1 ½ tsp vanilla

Set oven to 350 degrees. Bring water, butter, and cocoa to a boil stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside.’
Mix flour, sugar soda, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add cocoa mixture and mix until well blended. Pour into greased
15 ½ x 10 ½ x 1 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes

Frost when still warm
Frosting
¼ cup butter
3 Tbsp cocoa
1/3 cup buttermilk
heated until warm and soft.

Mix in 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla
1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Vegetable Beef Barley Soup

Mindy Powell

1 lb. hamburger
1 T Italian seasoning
1 T dried parsley
½ t fresh ground pepper
1 t salt (or to taste)
1 t onion powder
½ t garlic salt
1 T minced garlic
1 can green beans
1 can corn
4 spears celery chopped
4 large carrots chopped
6 cups chicken broth
2 large cans stewed or diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato sauce
1 cup barley, uncooked
2 cups water
Brown hamburger and add seasonings to it. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on high for 1 hour and then on slow for 5-6 hours or until vegetables are cooked to your liking.

Tomato Olive Sauce

Mindy Powell

1 can (14.5 ounce) Italian stewed tomatoes
2 T tomato paste
2 t fresh herbs chopped or ½ t crushed dried herbs
Real sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste
1 can (2.25 ounce) sliced olives
Place all ingredients except olives in medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Let simmer for 5 minutes or until of desired consistency. Add olives and heat through. Serve over pasta. My favorite is Spinach cheese ravioli.

Lasagna Rollups

Mindy Powell
Adapted from Rachael Ray

12 whole wheat lasagna noodles 2 t olive oil 8 ounces Portobello & Button mushrooms, chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 cups marinara sauce (I make my own-but you can use store bought)1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 1 egg, lightly beaten Freshly ground black pepper to tastePinch ground nutmeg 1/4 cup grated Parmesan 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Cook the noodles al dente according to the directions on the package. Drain them well and spread them out onto waxed paper to prevent them from sticking. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and all the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the tomato sauce and simmer for 2 minutes. In a medium bowl combine the ricotta cheese, spinach, egg, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, a few turns of pepper, and nutmeg.
Spread 1 cup of tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9 by 12-inch baking dish. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture onto a lasagna noodle. Top with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mushroom mixture, roll the noodle and place it into the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining noodles. Spread the remaining 1 1/2 cups of sauce over the lasagna rolls. Top with grated cheeses, cover loosely with foil, and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 minutes more.

Frozen Mint Herbal Tea Strawberry Lemonade

The PERFECT Summer Tea Party Drink!!
4 cups water
6 mint herbal tea bags
1 can frozen raspberry lemonade
1/2 cup sugar, (or to taste)
1 package frozen strawberries (sweetened)
10 ice cubes
In the morning or the night before, heat 4 cups water to boiling. Add the mint tea bags and let sit for 5 minutes. Take bags out and put tea in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Mix raspberry lemonade, but use only 2 ½ cans of water. In a blender, place ice cubes, 2 cups of tea, the frozen strawberries and sugar. You can start with 1/4 cup of sugar and then add more as you blend. As the ingredients blend, you may need to add more tea if it gets to thick to process. When the mixture is well blended, pour into the lemonade. Serve immediately for a slushy drink. You can add more ice if you want it really slushy, but then decrease the water when making up the lemonade.

Boston Lettuce Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup buttermilk
1 t celery seed
1 T fresh oregano
1 t lemon rind
1 t coarse salt
2 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
1-2 heads Boston lettuce
Optional vegetable garnishes:
grape tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, carrots,
sugar snap peas, red peppers, radishes...
or any other yummy veggie!!

In a bowl, whisk together everything except lettuce and veggies. Clean and dry whole lettuce leaves. Place leaves in serving bowl and drizzle with dressing. Garnish with veggies if desired. Serve immediately. Excellent with fresh veggies from your garden!!

Mini Molten Chocolate Cakes

Mindy Powell

4 oz Baker’s semi-sweet Chocolate
1 stick butter
1 cup powder sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 T flour

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt chocolate and butter (on stove or in microwave for 30 second increments.) Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Blend in eggs and yolks one at a time with whisk and then mix in flour until well blended. Divide batter between ten paper-lined medium muffin cups. Bake for 10 minutes until sides are firm but centers are soft and let stand for 1 minute. So yummy with a side of vanilla icecream and a little powdered sugar!

Strawberries and Cream Dessert Squares

Crust
1 pouch Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg

Filling
1 cup white vanilla baking chips (6 oz)
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

Topping
4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/3 cup water
10 to 12 drops red food color, if desired


Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 15x10x1- or 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Press evenly in bottom of pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds or until chips are melted and can be stirred smooth. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Stir in melted chips until blended. Spread mixture over crust. Refrigerate while making topping.

In small bowl, crush 1 cup of the strawberries. In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch. Stir in crushed strawberries and 1/3 cup water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in food color. Cool 10 minutes. Gently stir in remaining 3 cups strawberries. Spoon topping over filling. Refrigerate 1 hour or until set; serve within 4 hours. Store covered in refrigerator.

Strawberry Spinach Salad (the best!)

1 package Baby Spinach leaves
1 chopped head of Romaine Lettuce
1 half chopped Purple onion
1 bag Almond Accents Toffee Flavored (Found in produce section)
2 Cups Strawberries cut up in fourths
Mix altogether

We topped our Salad with T.Marzetti Poppyseed Dressing which is found in the cooler by the produce along side the Lighthouse Dressing.

You could add cooked chicken pieces and crumbled bluecheese.

Sprial Cut Smoked Ham (Barefoot Contessa)

1 (14- to 16-pound) fully cooked, spiral-cut smoked ham
6 garlic cloves
8 1/2 ounces mango chutney
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
Zest of 1 orange
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the ham in a heavy roasting pan.

Mince the garlic in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the chutney, mustard, brown sugar, orange zest, and orange juice and process until smooth. Pour the glaze over the ham and bake for 1 hour, until the ham is fully heated and the glaze is well browned. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Easter Egg Nest Cupcakes

Toasting the coconut that forms the nests adds a natural straw color as well as a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor to these whimsical cupcakes. Easter egg candies come in many different sizes; use as many as will comfortably fit in each nest.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sour cream
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup sugar
6 Tbs. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 eggs, at room temperature

Vanilla buttercream for frosting cupcakes
Easter egg candies for decorating

Directions:
Preheat an oven to 350°F. Spread the coconut on a baking sheet and toast until lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper or foil liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream, oil and vanilla. In another bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the sugar and butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the sour cream mixture in 2 additions, beating until just combined; scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full. Bake until the cupcakes are lightly golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes. Then transfer the cupcakes to the rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour.

Frost the cupcakes with the buttercream. Top each cupcake with a ring of toasted coconut. Place an Easter egg candy (or candies) in the center of each nest and serve. (The finished cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature before serving.) Makes 12 cupcakes.

Adapted from Cupcakes, by Shelly Kaldunski (Weldon Owen, 2008).

Eggs Benedict (For Easter Brunch!)

This contemporary recipe for eggs Benedict calls for sliced honey-cured ham and toasted sourdough bread spread with a piquant green onion butter. Classic hollandaise is made foolproof by whisking cubes of chilled butter into the warm yolks, which helps keep the sauce from separating.

Ingredients:
For the green onion butter:
8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room
temperature
3 green onions, white and light green portions,
minced
For the hollandaise sauce:
6 egg yolks
2 Tbs. milk
2 1/2 sticks chilled unsalted butter, cut
into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Coarse salt and cayenne pepper, to taste
1 1/2 lb. thinly sliced cooked honey-cured ham
12 slices sourdough bread
1 tsp. coarse salt
2 Tbs. distilled white vinegar
12 eggs
4 green onions, white and light green portions,
chopped
Paprika for sprinkling

Directions:
To make the green onion butter, in a bowl, using a wooden spoon, mix together the butter and green onions until evenly blended. Set aside.

To make the hollandaise, in the top pan of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and milk. Place the pan or bowl over but not touching barely simmering water in the bottom pan of the double boiler or in a saucepan and continue to whisk until warm and frothy, 4 to 5 minutes. Whisk in the butter pieces a few at a time, beating after each addition until fully incorporated before adding more. Continue to whisk until all the butter has been incorporated and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 3 to 5 minutes total. Stir in the lemon juice and season with a pinch each of salt and cayenne pepper. The sauce can be kept warm over barely simmering water for up to 3 hours, stirring from time to time.

Preheat an oven to 200°F. Wrap the sliced ham in aluminum foil and place in the oven to warm. Toast the bread slices, then spread them lightly on both sides with the green onion butter. Keep warm until serving.

To poach the eggs, in a large fry pan, pour in water to a depth of about 1 1/2 inches. Add the salt and vinegar and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat so that the water is just below boiling. Working quickly and being careful not to crowd the pan, break an egg into a saucer and gently slip it into the water. Repeat with more eggs, keeping them well spaced. Cook just until the whites have set and the yolks are glazed over but still soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a skimmer or slotted spatula, carefully remove the eggs from the water, letting them drain well, and place on a plate; keep warm. Repeat with the remaining eggs.

To serve, place 2 toasted bread slices on each warmed individual plate. Top each slice with an equal amount of the ham, then place a poached egg in the center of each slice. Spoon an equal amount of the hollandaise sauce over each egg. Sprinkle the top with chopped green onion and paprika. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma, Entertaining, Edited by Chuck Williams (Oxmoor House, 2004).
You could omit the onion butter and use the english muffins instead, but I love the sourdough!)

Cafe Rio Knock-Off Pork Burrito/Salad

My friend Ashlee sent me this recipe! I hope it's as good as Cafe Rio's! Mmmm!

Pork Burritos/Salad:
1 pork roast (shoulder approx 3-4lbs) or butt
2 cans coke
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 small cans of diced chilis
1 (14 OZ can of tomato sauce)
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin

Mix ingredients in crock pot. Add roast. Cook the night before on low for 6-7 hours. Shred pork the next morning, put back in crockpot and let marinade for 4-5 hours on warm.

Costco has a great uncooked tortillas. (pk of 40)
2-3 cans of black or pinto beans
2-3 cups of rice of your choice
1 can of green chili enchilada sauce
2-4 cups of mozzarella cheese (depends on if you like a lot of cheese inside and on top)

If you want to make a salad do not use the enchilada sauce and mozzarella cheese from above, instead add: 2 bags of greens

Cafe Rio Creamy Tomatillo Dressing:
1 cup mayo (full fat not light)
1 cup cilantro
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Buttermilk Recipe Dressing
Mix 1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cloves garlic (minced)
3 tomatillos (quartered)

Mix all ingredients in blender until well blended. Chill before serving.

Don't forget tortilla strips for the top of the salad!

Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Butter and Parmesan Sauce

Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Butter and Parmesan Sauce
2 packages (11-ounce) fresh wild mushroom ravioli
1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
6 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
1 whole nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
2/3 cup grated Parmesan

Cook the ravioli in a large pot of boiling salted water until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain and put on a platter.
Meanwhile, cook the butter in a heavy medium frying pan over medium-high heat until pale golden, about 4 minutes. Add the basil leaves and cook until lightly fried, about 2 minutes. Add the pine nuts. Pour over the cooked ravioli. Grate 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg directly over ravioli. Sprinkle Parmesan over dish and serve.

Grilled Pineapple with Nutella (Soooo Good!)

Grilled Pineapple with Nutella
2 pineapples, peeled, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices and core removed
2/3 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
6 tablespoons whipping cream
Olive oil
3 tablespoons chopped toasted hazelnuts

Prepare the outdoor barbecue to medium-high heat. If you do not have a barbecue, you can use an indoor grill pan set to medium high heat. Lightly oil the grill. Grill the pineapple slices until heated through and beginning to brown, about 3 minutes per side. It's important to leave the pineapples on the grill, untouched so that you can create the grill marks.
While the pineapples are cooking, whisk the mascarpone and vanilla in a small bowl to blend. Set aside.

Combine the chocolate-hazelnut spread and cream in a small bowl and stir to combine. Place in a microwave on high for about 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds to blend well. Alternatively, you can combine the chocolate-hazelnut spread and cream in a small saucepan, set over low heat, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Heat until satiny smooth and easy to pour, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Transfer the pineapple slices to a large platter. Drizzle the warm chocolate-hazelnut sauce over.

Dollop the mascarpone mixture atop. Sprinkle with the hazelnuts and serve.

Crepes Jordan

If you know Jordan, then you know he loves crepes! This is a yummy recipe that Jordan changed a little to make it his own! (I know, I'm lucky-I found a man that likes to cook like my Dad!) We put cream cheese and rasberry jam inside of them and powdered sugar on top! I think fresh fruit and whipped cream would be fabulous too!

1 cup flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter, melted
1/8 cup sugar (if desired)
desired toppings

1. Whisk together flour and eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter, beat until smooth.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour batter onto griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.
3. Cook crepe for about 2 minutes or until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot with your choice of toppings!

Big Sur Power Bars

1 tablespoon coconut oil (or regular butter)
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup slivered almonds
2/3 cup (unsweetened) shredded coconut
1 1/4 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups unsweetened crisp brown rice cereal
1 cup brown rice syrup
1/4 cup natural cane sugar
1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a baking pan with the coconut oil. If you like thick power bars, opt for an 8 by 8-inch pan; for thinner bars, use a 9 by 13-inch pan.
On a rimmed baking sheet toast the pecans, almonds, and coconut for about 7 minutes, or until the coconut is deeply golden. Toss once or twice along the way. Mix the oats, toasted nuts, coconut, and the cereal, together in a large bowl and set aside.
Combine the rice syrup, sugar, salt,and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly as it comes to a boil and thickens just a bit, about 4 minutes. Pour the syrup over the oat mixture and stir until it is evenly incorporated.
Spread into the prepared pan and cool to room temperature before cutting into whatever size bars you desire.
Makes 16 to 24 bars.
Looks so healthy and filling!
I got this recipe from 101cookbooksdotcom/heidiswanson

Peanut Butter Squares

I got this from my friend Sarah Sparks' blog! It looks yummy!
Peanut Butter Squares
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
1 tablespoon milk

Peanut Butter Frosting
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons milk

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 13x9-inch pan.

2. In large bowl, beat granulated and brown sugars, butter, 1/3 cup peanut butter and the egg with electric mixer on medium speed. Stir in flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Spread in pan.

3. Bake 17 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack, about 15 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, mix all Peanut Butter Frosting ingredients until smooth and spreadable; reserve 1/3 cup. Stir cocoa and 1 tablespoon milk into remaining frosting until smooth. If necessary, stir in additional milk until spreadable.

5. Spread cooled bars with cocoa frosting. Drop Peanut Butter Frosting by teaspoonfuls onto cocoa frosting; swirl through frostings for marbled design. For squares, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows.