Easy-As-Pie French Toast Batter

This recipe is great. because you now have quick-fix french toast every morning for a week, or less if you share. This is modified from a very popular restaurant recipe.

4 eggs
2/3 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
(bread)
(oil or cooking spray)

1. Blend eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. (Store in fridge for up to 1 week.)
2. Dip bread in batter for 30 seconds on either side. Scrape off excess batter.
3. Grill over medium heat on greased skillet until browned.

Suggestions: Serve hot, with maple syrup, chocolate syrup, powdered sugar, and whipped butter.

Hot Chocolate Syrup

Things that make you go mmm... This is the makings of the hot chocolate of the gods. Plus, this will make you enough for the month--or the week if you dare to share. After all, it is a bonified, modified "Grandma's Secret Hot Chocolate Recipe." Dare you take the time to make such a sinfully sweet treat? Yes, yes you do.

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla
(x cups whole milk)

1. In a medium size pot, wisk together cocoa, sugar, salt, vanilla, and 2 cups water.
2. Place on medium-high heat and bring to simmer.
3. Wisk every 30 seconds for about 5 minutes, or until mixture thickens to a syrup. Adjust heat as needed to avoid boiling.
4. Pour into sealed container. (Store in fridge for up to 1 month.)
5. Stir in about 2 tablespoons syrup per cup whole milk. Microwave 1-2 minutes and stir.

* Suggestions: Serve hot chocolate with marshmallows, whip cream, and chocolate pieces. Cream is highly recommended.

Potato Soup

Just like Panera's. From Panera's Cream Cheese Potato Soup.

4 cups chicken broth
6 medium potatoes, cubed
1/4 cup onions, minced
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1. Boil broth, potatoes, onion, and spices over medium high heat until potatoes are tender. (20 min)
3. Smash several of the potatoes to release their starch for thickening.
4. Cut cream cheese into chucks and add to soup.
5. Cook over low heat until cheese melts, stirring frequently.

Suggestions: I didn't have seasoning salt, so I looked up Judi's Seasoning Salt, which inspired a mixture of salt, garlic powder, Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle seasoning, and a dash of sugar. Worked just fine, tasted like seasoning salt. ^_^

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

This tastes just like Chinese food - the way you've always wanted it! Serves 2-4.

1 bag teriyaki stir fry
1/2 bag frozen chicken thighs
Mahatman white rice
real butter
oil
garlic
salt

1. Cook rice in a pot, stir fry (without sauce) in a skillet, and chicken in another skillet, all over medium high heat. Add oil to stir fry, and butter to rice.
2. When chicken has cooked a bit, use a fork to dip each piece in a mixture of melted butter, garlic, and salt, and return to pan.
3. Add teriyaki sauce to stir fry and stir.
4. When chicken has just seared, add to stir fry. Let the flavors mix, then serve with rice.

Spiced Apple Muffins

A low-fat, super moist, healthy treat. Modified from Tripple Hitter Muffins.


40 min / 20 min prep - 12 muffins

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 3/4 cup grated apple
1 cup all-purpose whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 400 oF (200 oC).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oil and sugar. Beat in egg, then apples.
3. In another large bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
4. Fold dry ingredients into wet, until just mixed.
5. Grease muffin tray. Spoon batter to the very top of muffin cups.
6. Bake 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean when inserted in a muffin.

Suggestions: Add nuts, raisins, or dates. Top finished muffins with icing, perhaps an apple butter cream icing or a white icing with walnuts.

Extra Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin

A cheesy side dish. Modified from Easy Au Gratin Potatoes.

2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. flour
1 cup milk
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can Del Monte Sliced New Potatoes, drained

1. Melt butter in saucepan; blend in flour. Add milk gradually, and cook, stirring constatnly until thickened. Add garlic powder and 1/2 cup cheese.
2. Combine potatoes and sauce in 2-qut. shallow baking dish; top with remaining cheese.
3. Back at 375 F, 25 minutes or until golden brown and heated through. Garnish with extra shredded cheese and a touch of oregano, if desired.

Apple Cream

A cold juicy drink for summer-time apple-juice lovers.


Apple Juice
Great Value Extra Creamy Whipped Cream Topping
Mulling Aspen Spices

1. Mix apple juice, whipped cream, and spices in a cup.
2. Top with whipped cream sprinkled with spices.

Alterations: Use orange-apple juice, add a cinnamon spice stick, a spicy mint or cinnamon candy stick or candy cane, serve warm.