Saturday Breakfast

Just the words make me happy! This usually means sleeping in, sipping coffee, and eating any number of delectable foods. Among the delicious are these Banana, Raisin, and Oatmeal Pancakes.

I started making these after I got married and rarely get requests to make anything else on Saturday morning. Occasionally I sneak in a low-carb or no-carb breakfast, like an egg omelet loaded with veggies, but these are the most popular breakfast food in our house!

Last Saturday the refrigerator was lacking a few items, but I used sour cream instead of yogurt and buttermilk instead of milk, and the pancakes were just as good if not more so. I also decreased the brown sugar and they were fine. So yummy with a bit of maple syrup on top, or eat them like my husband does without any adornment.

To save leftovers for another day, carefully wrap them and hide them in a corner of the refrigerator where your family will not find them (well, that's what I have to do anyway since they tend to disappear later in the day)!

Inspiration from the Sale Rack

I recently discovered the rack hidden in the back of my local QFC near the meat case that houses all manner of delectable baked goods at very low prices. Yes, it took me a year, but in my defense they hide it well far from the fresh baked goods. A couple weeks ago I found some artisan whole wheat slider buns. I forgot about them and while cleaning out the refrigerator in preparation for vacation I popped them in the freezer and vowed to look for recipes.

We managed to get sick while on vacation but were feeling well enough to eat today, so I ventured out to the grocery store [along with the entire population of my town and then some]. Tonight's dinner, inspired by the sale slider buns: Epicurious Chipotle Pulled Turkey Drumstick Sliders with Brussel Sprouts Slaw. I sauteed the brussels sprouts instead of serving raw, which was great. I used about 2 tablespoons of chipotles in adobo (approximately two chili peppers and some sauce). Your family and friends who do not like spicy foods will find that too hot, but the ones who like it in the range of spicy-but-can-still-taste-the-food will find it just right.

These sliders were a hit, and I'm definitely eyeing that sale rack when I'm in QFC. I only wish we were feeling well enough to invite a bunch of people over to share, but that's for another day. Happy New Year all!

Hello again! Got Thanksgiving leftovers?

Let's just take care of the elephant in the room first: Yes, I have not written in more than a year. I might be back now. We'll see. I am toying with ideas on the direction this blog should take. Since we last connected I got married, Cupcake Royale opened in Bellevue, and I gained a dog. Since I am no longer enmeshed in wedding planning at lunchtime, blogging could be a good way to spend the time!

Ah...so...anybody still have Thanksgiving leftovers almost a week later? I bought a much larger turkey than my small gathering needed with the anticipation of leftovers. As it turns out Saturday night after Thanksgiving some cousins and their families came over and helped us eat Turkey Chili with Pumpkin Walnut Focaccia and Cornbread Foccacia. Rave reviews to all. The pumpkin walnut focaccia has been in my repertoire for some time and now a new Kitchen Aid stand mixer resides proudly in my kitchen so I'm having fun with other new breads too.

We still have quite a bit of leftover stuffing (ok, technically dressing since it was baked separately from the turkey) and gruyere cheese. I'm thinking about French onion soup. Maybe this one? Big bread cubes from stuffing instead of large slices of bread would work, yes?

See you around!