Our Favorite From-Scratch Pancake Recipes

I haven't posted a new recipe in a long time, and I've been meaning to. But, summer. So I'll post this collection of pancakes for you instead. We make these at least once a week, often times more. They're simple. delicious, and generally a crowd-pleaser, so hooray!

Favorite Basic Pancake Recipe

This has been our go-to recipe for years and years. A friend gave me a recipe that a friend had given her and... I spent a few years tweaking it to make it our absolute favorite of all time.

Favorite Pancakes Recipe HERE

Best Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes

 These pancakes have a slightly grainy texture because of the cornmeal, and let me tell you, they taste just as good for supper as they do for breakfast. :)

Best Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe HERE

Apple Pancakes with Sugar Sauce

 I can't even remember how this recipe came about, probably just years of experimenting. These pancakes are packed full of good stuff, but then again, the "syrup" I concocted is nothing but sugar sugar sugar. It's all about balance, right?

This is a fall favorite for sure, when the air and apples are crisp.

 Apple Pancake Recipe HERE

Baked "Puff" Pancake

 This pancake is baked in the oven so it can rise and "puff." It's really fun to watch as it rises, and then as it deflates within seconds of taking it out of the oven. It's light but also kind of dense. I just love it with fresh fruit and powdered sugar.

Baked Puff Pancake Recipe HERE

My literal stack of pancakes when I feed this hungry crew of ours. Hope you love the recipes as much as we do. :)

 

Cookie Friday: A Collection of our Favorites

Somewhere along my Mommy line, Fridays became designated as "Cookie Fridays." I can't remember it ever not being that way. This has become such a fun little family tradition for us, so I thought I'd share some of our favorite recipes:

These soft, chewy chocolate cookies are prepared in a saucepan instead of using a mixer like a traditional cookie. They are so, so yummy!

Triple Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies


 The perfect chocolate cookie, in my opinion =)

Double Cocoa Dream Cookies


 If there's oatmeal in it, it has to be good for you. Right?

Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies


These pan, or bar, cookies take no time at all to make, which is perfect for busy Fridays
They are so gooey and rich!

Easy One-Bowl Blondies


If you really want to treat your family, make these!
They're time consuming and make a huge mess, but they are SO worth it!
The creme filling is the real deal, not made with gross fluff.

Whoopie Pies with Real Creme Filling


Since I can't stop thinking about it, I'm going to share something: I was reading in my devotional this morning - something I have NOT been very disciplined with at all lately - and I've been thinking about ever since.
First of all, I am a rule keeper through and through. I may not like or even understand certain rules, but I am consistently annoyed by those who challenge them or fail to abide by them. Believe me, I don't view this as a big plus in my personality, it's just my natural bend. And I struggle with it in every area of my life, as it pretty much affects everything.
Especially how I parent my children.
The devotional mentioned an old fashioned letter seal, the kind where you stamp the wax, which then bears the impression of the stamp, and how our love for Jesus should make a deep impression on our children like that. I think the author used the phrase "affection for Jesus."

And it's like a light went off.

I wondered, do I even have affection for Jesus?
Have I let myself get so bogged down with everyday life- and its problems- that I've kind of lost that affection? Or rather, lost sight of it?
Furthermore, am I showing my kids that I adore and love my Savior? Or am I constantly trying to "teach" them ABOUT his love with rules and explanations and expectations... ?

 Just something to think about! I'd love to hear your thoughts, too!

It's kind of cloudy and chilly here today, but not as cold as it normally is! I'm thinking regular ol' chocolate chip cookies just might be in order for today's Cookie Friday. Yum!

EASY BASIC QUICHE: FAST PREP & DELICIOUS

I used to think quiches were a little bit complicated and kind of a pain to put together. Not anymore! Making a basic quiche this way is one of the most forgiving, easiest dishes to throw together.

The most time consuming part is cooking the bacon, if you'd like bacon in the first place. I normally pair this quiche with BLT's for dinner, so yes, bacon is a must. I made this last week in the early afternoon since we had to be at baseball play-offs and the dance recital by 5pm. It's a great make-ahead dish. Slice some tomatoes, shred some lettuce, and toast some bread for the BLT's, and you've got dinner ready in less than five minutes.

I stopped measuring the ingredients years ago, but I'll give you some to refer to, and you can easily make adjustments based on what you like or don't like.

What You'll Need:

4 large eggs

3/4 cup half and half, light cream, or whole milk (or a combination of these)

1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup shredded swiss cheese

4-5 whole mushrooms, chopped

fresh baby spinach, chopped (thaw first if using frozen)

1/4 medium onion, chopped 

4 slices bacon

salt and pepper to taste

nutmeg, optional

pastry crust*

*I rarely make my own for this recipe, and get a 2-pack deep dish frozen crust

What You'll Do:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F

• Whisk together eggs, milk or cream, add salt & pepper; set aside

• Layer cheeses, vegetables & bacon on bottom of pastry crust- this way makes all the difference! No messy, clumpy mixtures to contend with. Carefully pour egg mixture over all, and ingredients magically "float" to the top and throughout; sprinkle with nutmeg if desired.

• Bake for about 40 minutes or until eggs look set and crust begins to brown. Lots of time, I end up turning the oven off and simply leaving the quiches in for a while. This is a very forgiving dish!

Serve warm or cool- cold leftovers are great the next day, too, though in this family...not so many leftovers. ;)

I know these photos aren't the greatest, but the day I made these was particularly hectic so I was in rush rush rush mode. Thankfully, that is the exception and not the norm around here!

MEMORIAL DAY MENU & THOUGHTS

Thank you to all our veterans, including my Dad and several other family members and friends, who have served and are currently serving our country- we are humbled by and grateful for your dedication and sacrifice. And thank you to your families, who have experienced sacrifice beyond what most of us can comprehend.

I have so many wonderful memories of family get-togethers, BBQ's, backyard parties and hours-long volleyball or badminton games with cousins...and fabulous food. We don't have big parties like that anymore, now that we've grown up and have our own families and in-laws, and I really miss them. I'll be honest here, there is some favoritism among grandchildren going on inside our family and it is the most excruciating thing I've had to deal with, and it's difficult to muster the desire to go party with the people who are hurting your babies (and us). I have one sibling, an older brother who has never much cared for me, and he ignores our parents for the most part as well, so that's that. Sorry. I feel like I should be apologizing- this was supposed to be a fun post on party food, that's all! I'm simply being brutally honest here. Life is such a beautiful gift but it is not without complications, that's for sure. Well, anyhoo. Whatever we do, we will think of those who have sacrificed, and there will be fun and laughter and sparklers and plenty of good eating.

We prepare traditional barbeque fare, steak tips to hot dogs and sausages and marinated chicken, and there's always potato salad or pasta salad. My mother always bring a huge dish of jello pretzel salad- yum!

Nothing says Bring on Summer! quite like a jello poke cake. Super easy and super yummy! Usually I make this for 4th of July, but I'm changing things up this year.

 Patriotic Poke Cake

I'm also making these...but with red, white and blue sprinkles. Sorry, no photo yet, but I'm sure you can imagine.  =)

 Homemade Whoopie Pies with Real Creme Filling

It's nice to have something light and green amid the heavier, richer foods. This salad is fabulous, and there's a recipe for homemade vinaigrette dressing, too.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

These are so good, so easy, and look so festive served up on a simple plate.

  Easy Summer Snacks

It's tradition for us to have this Overnight French Toast sometime during the (any!) holiday weekend. Yay for tradition! This is my favorite! You can add sliced strawberries and top with whipped cream to make it look really festive as well.

Overnight French Toast Bake with Blueberries

These last photos just make me happy to look at and remember.

 

Ach. I feel like an emotional wreck I have gotten so off track lately. I have the same twenty-four hours everyone else does, but lately mine feel stagnant and burdened rather than joyful and hopeful. I think it's priorities. And being in tuned with God's Word, which I haven't been. And the real kicker? I just can't seem to make myself. Does that sound awful? It's as simple, really, as opening up a book- The Book- and I can't will myself to do it on a regular basis. My prayer life has taken somewhat of a downward spiral as well, if I'm being honest, and believe me, these are the days when I need guidance and direction and just plain connection/communion with God more than ever. Life is messy, relationships are challenging, parenthood...do I even need to?

Well now you know that I'm just a mess. I may be a little sad or even discouraged, but I'm extremely thankful. For all of it, this. I posted something on IG the other day about life being short and intending to make the most of the days I'm given- the choice is mine, it really is. Have a wonderful weekend.

PS: There's a sale going on at Rose & Ruffle. Details in the shop. Feel free to spread the word...thank you!

sharing with:
Sew Many Ways

EASY CHICKEN STEW & DUMPLINGS

I thought I'd share a recipe with you that I've been making for nearly twenty years now. Whoa. That sentence makes me sound (and fee!) like an old granny lady. I guess I am getting old, ha! Last night I shared on IG how yesterday was our engagement anniversary, and when I wrote out the date- April 7, 1997... yikes! That was a loooong time ago! I'll be shopping for dentures and Depends before I know it, sigh.

This is a quick and easy main dish and takes about a half hour from start to finish, less if you've got the chicken already prepared. It's great year-round, too. It's warm and comforting in the colder months, and it keeps me from having to turn on the oven in the hotter ones when we still need to, oh I don't know, eat something other than cereal.

 INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN STEW

14 oz chicken stock

about 2/3 cup water

small bag frozen mixed vegetables

1 cup milk

1/2 cup flour

1-2 cups cooked chicken, cubed *

oregano, parsley, thyme & basil

dash garlic powder

salt & pepper 

fresh basil for garnish, optional

1. In large saucepan, combine broth, vegetables, water (I fill the stock up about halfway; if I use more water, I'm sure to compensate by adding a bit more spices), herbs & spices. Bring to boiling.

2. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, gently blend milk and flour with fork. Add to vegetable mixture and stir. Next add cubed chicken and stir. Reduce heat to medium and cook until mixture thickens- this may take several minutes. If the mixture still won't thicken or get bubbly, stir in a bit more flour.

3. While stew is thickening, prepare dumplings.

INGREDIENTS FOR DUMPLINGS

3/4 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/3 cup milk

2 tbsp cooking oil

dash salt

a few shakes of dillweed and parsley

4. Combine dumpling ingredients to form a thick doughy mixture. Don't over-stir. If mixture seems too dry, add milk; too wet, add flour- this recipe is forgiving, which comes in handy when I'm making a bigger batch than usual. Drop dumpling mixture onto bubbling stew with either a cookie scoop or a spoon. 

5. Cover mixture and simmer over low heat 10-15 minutes. DO NOT LIFT COVER while simmering or the dumplings will not fully cook. Serve promptly. Enjoy!

*We cook chicken for this dish in a covered pan in about an inch of water over medium-low heat.

**If you're really short on time, you can combine about 1 cup biscuit mix and 1/3 cup milk for the dumplings; add herbs to dough mixture.

PS: This is Isabelle's basil, or hazel, as she calls it, and she is quite proud of it. She may have been a bit overzealous when pinching one of the leaves off, ha ha.  =)

Happy Wednesday!

EASY SUNDAY DINNER IDEAS

Good Saturday morning! The sun is shining and I hear we might even get up into the 30's today. Woot! Last night we had Jonah's birthday party- it was so much fun! What a great group of boys. I thought, however, that I was going to enjoy a quiet and lazy morning today... but then I woke up at four, ended up making blueberry coffeecake, and generally puttered around doing a little of this and that. Until the quiet ended. =)

Today I'm sharing some easy fix 'em & forget 'em recipes, which have come in handy on Sundays. I've gone to church my whole life, and growing up, I remember always coming home to the smell of something delicious after Sunday service. We enjoyed a big, sit-down meal around one o'clock, sometimes with one set of grandparents or the other. It was just a really special time. In our family now, we typically enjoy a larger Sunday evening meal, but since joining an afternoon Bible Study, this hasn't been working out quite so well, as dinner doesn't get eaten (or prepared) until much later into the evening. And that actually feels a little bit stressful, not exactly how I'd like to welcome a brand new week.

Here are some recipes, all of which can be fixed ahead of time, left in the oven with the timer set, and be ready for us when we're back home around noon.So now I'd like to begin this midday tradition with our family. It's certainly easier with colder weather since we're already sort of stuck indoors, but come summertime, I'm sure I'll happily trade in oven-cooked meals for a cold picnic lunch at the beach or mountains.

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

When this dish is the main meal, I add cubed ham.

Veggies: sauteed asparagus (10 min); steamed carrots (8-10 min in microwave)

Sides: cottage cheese; canned or fresh fruit

Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew

I like to prepare the ingredients sometime on Saturday to save time in the morning.

Sides: rolls or bread for dipping; fruit

Tangy Pork Loin

Truly a fix it and forget it dish- toss a few sweet potatoes into the oven to bake at the same time

Veggies: potatoes/ sweet potatoes

buttered peas & corn (frozen, steamed) or salad

Sides: cottage cheese; applesauce

Slow Cooker Ribs

Veggies: green beans (or green bean casserole); steamed corn

Sides: corn bread or rolls; applesauce; "pink stuff" or cottage cheese

Aw. I came across this photo from a few years ago as I was looking through the files- we'd had my Mom and Dad over for dinner, and then we headed outside to make S'mores since it was such a gorgeous afternoon. Boy oh boy am I looking forward to green grass and cute little sundresses and eating outside again!

Quick & Easy Dinner: Tangy Pork Loin

Ugh. Has this been a rough season of colds, flu bugs, back spasms (seriously!), and fevers in our household. Thankfully, we're normally very healthy, but we've been hit by our share of mack trucks so to speak for the past couple of months. And with the temperatures rarely venturing beyond 7 degrees since December...yeah... is it summer yet? Pleeeeaaase!?!?!

In other news, I've been reading lots of fashion blogs lately. Not the high-end Vogue kind of fashion, more the normal but nice, everyday kind. While I would not call myself a high maintenance kind of gal by any stretch of the imagination, I do like to look my best, as most of my friends do too. But sometimes it's hard to find the right balance of what's appropriate and cute versus what just, well, isn't. Is the length too short, the neckline too low, the fit too tight...? I want what I wear to honor the Lord first and foremost, and I believe that dressing more modestly also honors my husband. But I also want to be stylish and modern, not frumpy or hidden beneath a moo moo (is that even spelled correctly, because even the word looks unattractive).

Moving on. Not sure why I launched into the fashion dilemma for this post. Must be he Nyquil talking.

I don't know about you, but thinking about meal prep and shopping lists- much less actually making meals-  when I'm sick seems somewhat torturous. I have to note that my husband is VERY helpful and completely competent in this area, but that's kind of my job. Although my boys are pretty great in the kitchen, too! Here Jonah is earning culinary arts credit, I mean, making yummy yeast rolls.

This guy, on the other hand, not so helpful. Please don't judge me. I am fully aware how gross that must look. In my defense, I was nearly done and he is just so cute and...okay, I don't really have any defense.  I digress. Again. (Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Recipe)

Here is one fabulous dinner that doesn't require measuring, tricky ingredients or prep, helping hands (or paws) or even any thinking. Win win.

Easy Prep Tangy Pork Loin with Baked Potatoes

1-2 lb pork loin

olive oil

rosemary, optional

salt and pepper

French's mustard

Dijon mustard

flour

potatoes ** / ***

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. After washing and pricking potatoes, place on top rack to bake.

Place pork loin in baking dish, make a few narrow cuts/slashes in top, and sprinkle salt, pepper & rosemary over top; drizzle with olive oil. Next, coat pork with a dusting of flour. Squirt mustards over top. 

  With a spoon or pastry brush, spread across top.

Pop in the oven and completely forget about it for the next hour or so.

**Instead of baking potatoes, you could quarter them and place them in the baking dish alongside the pork loin- be sure to drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper. (When I'm this sick, fooling around with knives and slippery potatoes isn't such a great idea...)

***You can also bake nutrient-rich sweet potatoes, though I wouldn't recommend quartering them and baking alongside the pork loin.

After an hour or so, I check on the potatoes and the pork. Sometimes they're ready within a few minutes, and other times, like last night, they require another twenty minutes. I made some deeper slices in the pork loin so the insides would cook evenly at this point- don't do this too early or the pork will dry out.

Voila

No, sorry, I don't have a pretty picture with the baked potatoes- or even a pretty plated picture of the entire meal- but I think we all know what a nice baked potato and steamed spinach look like. Pop some organic baby spinach in the microwave or into a steamer, and you've got a satisfying, nutritious meal with very little prep...no thinking required!  =)

I have a few other good and easy dishes like this that have saved me on more than one occasion. And there's always take-out, because sometimes...a girl just needs some take-out.

I was writing this yesterday but never finished. Oops. I'm happy to report that I feel halfway decent this morning! Happy Wednesday! (HA, my kids just informed me that it's actually Thursday...baby steps...)

Oh, and one last thing: things are getting springy and summery in the shop...here's a little post about it.

COMFORT FOOD: STOVETOP HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE

This post could have been alternately titled: It's Cold Out and I'm Bored and Freezing So I May As Well Cook Something Else in My Nice Warm Kitchen. Catchy, right?

Getting a little stir crazy up in here, that's all. It is so, so cold, and there hasn't been much sunshine this winter, so I think it's making us me a tad grumpy. It's just for a season, it's just for a season...

Anyhoo. Thought I'd share this yummy and quick lunch with you. It's versatile, cooks up super quick, and of course is delicious! If you thought convenience involved a little packet of powder, think again. This is an absolutely perfect comfort food for little time and effort, and with real ingredients.

 Here's what you need:

1/2 box/bag of pasta

2 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp flour

1/4 cup milk

1/2 - 3/4 cup cheese, either Cheddar or American, or a combination of the two

Here's what you do:

First, cook pasta according to directions in a small to medium sized saucepan. Use whatever pasta you like- I prefer bow tie or elbow. Drain cooked pasta in a colander and let sit while you make the cheese sauce.

In the same saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Of course you don't actually have to use the same saucepan, but it does make for quick, no-mess meal prep. Next, stir in flour; then milk. Don't worry about little clumps- they will work themselves out as the sauce heats up. (You can easily do this in the microwave as well, but I'm on a sort of anti-nuke kick. We shall see if it lasts.)

While milk mixture heats up, cube the cheese (or simply tear the American in several pieces), then carefully drop into milk mixture. Keep heat low and stir every minute or so until the cheese melts and sauce thickens. Add a dash salt and pepper. This entire process takes five minutes or less. Be careful not to let the mixture scald or burn on the bottom, though. At this point, give it a little taste and decide if you'd like to add more cheese or if you like it just the way it is. You cannot go wrong!

Now you're ready to add the cooked pasta back to the saucepan. Gently stir the noodles into the sauce, coating everything evenly. That's it! No chemicals, no unnecessary ingredients or preservatives, no artificial powders...just good stuff. And love.  =)

I whip this up and pack it for the kiddos' lunches several times a month. Not one complaint yet, I tell you.

You can also add different types of cheeses to the sauce, but I do have to caution you to avoid bleu cheese at ALL COSTS because your meal will taste like...and let's pretend I'm whispering this in your ear so as not to offend...vomit. 

I kid you not.

Happy Cooking!

Roasted Acorn Squash: Fast, Easy Prep, and Delicious!

We are smack dab in the middle of a brewing thunderstorm and I'm wondering if we aren't going to lose the power in, say, the next twenty seconds. I'd better type fast. Because I've clearly got my priorities in perfect working order. =)

There are a gazillion different recipes and methods for baking/roasting/cooking/preparing acorn squash. I wanted easy, fast, and not quite so sugary and fattening that it no longer counts as a good-for-you food. Which in fact a veggie or fruit should always be. Well, almost always. Here goes!

Here's What You'll Need:

1-2 acorn squash (squashes? - that doesn't sound right...)

1-2 Tbsp brown sugar

3-4 Tbsp butter, melted

coarse salt

black pepper

dash cinnamon, optional

shallow baking pan/ cookie sheet

aluminum foil or parchment paper

Here's What You Do:

Preheat your oven to 350 F. Line baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

Slice squash into 1-inch wide slices and remove seeds and pulp from center; cut in half again and place on prepared pan in a single layer.

 Drizzle or brush melted butter over each slice; salt and pepper as you like, and sprinkle brown sugar (I use my fingers to sort of pinch it), and cinnamon if desired. That's it! Super easy, right?

(You might notice that I didn't use foil or parchment paper here- I suggest using it because it makes cleaning up easier, that's all.)

Bake about 10 minutes and turn over each slice; bake 10-15 minutes more or until tender. If they cook too long the sugar will start to burn and you will certainly smell that- that's not exactly what we're going for here, but it has happened to me a few times and it really isn't a big deal. They still taste great! Let sit a few minutes and serve warm. You can use a fork to eat them straight from the slice, simply removing the flesh from the skin; or you can scoop the flesh and mash it like a sweet potato casserole. Enjoy!

Tonight is actually the first time it has rained in about a week, and we sure have enjoyed the beautiful sunshine! Field trips, family trips, and trips to the lake, beach and mountains...the perfect first week of summer!

I think my beach pics have all been on instagram- look for me under 'roseandruffle' if you'd like to find me there. I'm outta here because I happen to know there's a root beer float with my name on it in the other room. Have a great night!

Good Eats for Great Dads

What better way to celebrate the great Dads in our lives than by tempting their taste buds with savory, sweet, and otherwise delicious food fanfare? None, right? I know! Here is a round-up of some of the all-time favorites in our home...

Isabelle's Granola

(This is so good as a topping on yogurt!)

Crumb Coffee Cake

Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Honey Vinaigrette

Summer Squash Casserole

Chicken Quesadillas

Grasshopper Ice Box Cake

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

(This pie makes my man weak in the knees!)

Homemade Brownies with Cream Cheese Topping

Whoopie Pies

(My Dad's all-time favorite!)

Chocolate Fudge Cake

It's one adventure after another around these parts!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in the whole world!