Mini French Toast Biscuits

French Toast is one of my most favorite breakfast foods. It's so adaptable. There are so many varieties; it can be stuffed, it can be different flavors, it can be covered with anything you want. That is why I love to try different French Toast recipes when I have a chance. French Toast casseroles, quick stove top french toast, stuffed french toast, you name it, I've made it. This though is a new one for me. I came up with the idea when I wanted a personal sized french toast breakfast for work. I thought what's easy to travel with...muffins, biscuits, cupcakes. So I landed on biscuits, thinking I could cut down my prep time by using prepackaged biscuits. So thats what I did, and I have to say the results were better then expected. Think flaky buttermilk biscuits, soaked in a sweet, cinnamon, milky concoction. Topped with crunchy oats, and then smothered with fresh blueberries and lets not forget, syrup. Just like the real thing, but travel sized. They would also be a great substation for real french toast at a brunch party where people like to have a little sample of everything. Plus you can make them ahead of time! I love recipes that can be made the day before so you have more free time to decorate the day of.

Mini French Toast Biscuits

Confessions: Airing my Empty Refrigerator

Every Saturday I stare at my almost empty refrigerator with joy. Strange right? Most people would think one, you don't have anything better to do on a Saturday, two, why is your fridge empty, and three, your just plain old weird. 

See I  picked up one of those contractable habits kids sometimes get from their parents. This one's called anal retentive planning. My dad taught us to never waste food. I remember watching him go through the refrigerator checking the perishable produce and dairy, telling my mom which items needed to be used up soon. Back then I found this annoying and I thought him a bit crazy. (Dad if you're reading this I promise it ends well.) 

But now I see the "light" or more literal, the back wall of my refrigerator. I now realize that food is money and food wasted is wasted money. Pretty straight forward right? Back then I didn't put two and two together, maybe because it wasn't my money being wasted. That is why ever since I moved in with my husband, for my sanity and wallet, we have made it a weekend tradition to plan out our meals for the upcoming week. This way I only buy perishable food that I need for those meals and recipes. This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's helpful because it's less runs to the grocery store, less time thinking about what to make everyday, and most importantly less waste. Non-perishables are ok to stock up on when there is a good sale, especially since they are stored out of sight, out of mind. But since we try to eat mostly fresh veggies and meats, there is much more money spent on items with a short shelf life. So standing there in front of my mostly empty refrigerator, I am overjoyed thta I planned well this week and excited to think about all the new food and possibilites that will soon stock these shelves. 

Ok thats the end of my rant. I know, I'm strange... and dad I hope your proud.

The Refrigerator: Before and After

S'more Monkey Bread

Sweet, sugary bread that pulls apart. Who doesn't love that? Add in some classic campfire ingredients and you've got a great dessert for any social gathering. Finger foods are always a great way to serve food at parties. No serving utensils needed, just grab and go. This "bread" brings together the sugar soaked biscuits of traditional monkey bread and the childhood favorite, s'mores. Delicious from the outside in, each bite will remind you of nights spent under the stars, heated by the fire and the one you love.

S'more Monkey Bread

Cappuccino Cream Cheese

I love coffee flavored foods. My favorite ice cream flavor, coffee. My favorite cookies are coffee flavored, my favorite drink is coffee. There is something about the combination of bitter and sweet. The aroma alone is enough to make me come running. I decide that I wanted to make a coffee flavored cream cheese to spread on my english muffins in the morning. I mean what goes better with coffee, then coffee? I have to say that I wasn't expecting much from this recipe, but I wowed myself. This is the most delicious flavored cream cheese I have EVER tasted. As soon as you open the container the coffee aroma hits you, then when you taste it it literally tastes just like coffee ice cream, but creamier! Pure perfection! Although I used this as a spread, you can also use it as a dip. If you let the cream cheese sit out and become room temperature, the consistency becomes softer and creamier and easily becomes a dip. Think dessert dip! Dip chocolate wafers in it, dip fruit in it, add chocolate chips to the cream cheese mixture for some more texture. The ideas are endless! 

Cappuccino Cream Cheese

Mini Pesto Chicken Pot Pies

If you have ever used pesto before, you'll know it doesn't last long once you open the jar or make your own. I would suggest using it up as soon as possible. That's what I was on a mission to do once I opened that heavenly smelling jar of pesto. I wanted to share this recipe with you as well, so that you can have another great use for that pesto jar you opened for the delicious Pesto Chicken Salad you made. This is a comfort meal that people have been making for years. It's perfect for those nippy nights where nothing soothes the soul better then a crusted, creamy blend of chicken, vegetables, and now pesto. Again pesto does the trick; adding that garlic fresh scent to the house as these little pies bake up and then that burst of flavor in your mouth when you actually get to eat it. I don't think I would EVER make Chicken Pot Pie any other way ever again. This recipe is just...that...good. 

Scroll down to the bottom of the post for this week's "Outta the Box" linky party to share your recipes.

Mini Pesto Chicken Pot Pies

Pesto Chicken Salad w/ Toasted Almonds

I'm hoping and praying that you have experienced the initial shock of just how green pesto really is and have grown to embrace and love it's fresh, zesty taste, like I have. My first encounter with pesto was at a family dinner where my husband's dad ordered pasta with pesto sauce. We all gasped when his plate arrived with bright green pasta. Repulsed and a little offended I knew that pesto was not for me. I mean it sort of looked like..boogers. Ok yes I said it. It looked really gross, but please do not let this discourage you. My next encounter with pesto was at a restaurant where they placed a spoonful of pesto in olive oil for the table's bread. Not fully realizing what it was, I ate it and ate some more, and more and probably would have licked the dish had we not been in a public place. The taste was part garlic, part garden fresh herbs, part nuttiness. It was FANTASTIC! I had to make it myself, which isn't hard at all either. It's a whole lot of fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and pine nuts blended and chopped in a food processor till you get a bright green paste like substance thats smells like it came straight from heaven's garden. It's truly a flavor to be reckoned with. Add it to anything your cooking and the flavors pop and explode in your mouth like fireworks and the best part, I think, is it's scent. Opening a jar of pesto will transport you to summer days, picking vegetables from your garden. It's a magical thing. For this recipe I've added it to my chicken salad recipe. The pesto works its magic and adds a layer of flavorful herbs and garlic to the salad that usually isn't there in your average chicken salad. A sprinkling of toasted almonds give the salad a much needed crunch. 

Pesto Chicken Salad w/ Toasted Almonds

Popeye's Favorite Lasagna

If Popeye had a favorite lasagna, this would be it. Full of his favorite green's, spinach, it's packed with a whole lot of flavor and nutrients, and not to mention, its super delicious and easy to make. Traditional lasagna is always a great meal, but this lasagna brings in veggies, seasoning, and a new spin on an old recipe. I made it for my husband and he just couldn't get enough of it. Thankfully it's one of those meals that two people always end up with leftover's of, but it reheats so well, it's almost better the second day! 

Popeye's Favorite Lasagna

Breakfast Bread

Ah breakfast, my favorite meal of the day. Unless it's a work day, then it completely frazzles me because I have .2 minutes to think of something to have for breakfast and what I usually choose in that hasty moment is just not "favorite" meal worthy. Think fruit and a yogurt. Healthy, yes. Filling, kind of. Delicious and tasty, not so much. So if I do a little planning a head of time on the weekend, and prepare myself something perfectly breakfast worthy for the weekday, breakfast once again becomes my favorite meal. Here is where Breakfast Bread was created. It's sort of savory french toast meets breakfast sandwich. It's got all your favorite breakfast ingredients, eggs, cheese and bacon. Or if those aren't your favorite ingredients add whatever meat, or veggies, or herbs you want. What's better then that? Plus you can make it ahead of time and reheat, making it an easy choose when those hectic weekday mornings arise.

croll down to the bottom of the post for this week's "Outta the Box" linky party to share your recipes.

 Breakfast Bread

Free Printable: Valentine's Gift Tag

Because I love all my followers so very much, I wanted to share with you this adorable gift tag I created for Valentine's Day. You may have seen the tag in my post Puff Pastry stuffed with Brie & Balsamic Peaches. I thought it an adorable tag to tie up a homemade dessert you give that someone special on Valentine's Day. "Best Thing I Ever Did was 'Bake' U all Mine"; the tag says it all. A pun on the lyrics from the Eli Young Band's song "Crazy Girl"it's a clever way to tell the one you love that making them yours is the best thing you ever did {along with baking the delicious dessert you made them}.

Just print out the below document on a fun color or textured 8 1/2x11 cardstock, cut out the tag by hand or with a Uchida 3 1/8' by 2 1/8' Tag Punch, punch a hole in the top, and tie a ribbon through the hole. Package your tasty treat and tie the tag on with the ribbon. 

Enjoy! 

"Best Thing I Ever Did was 'Bake' U all Mine.jpg"

Ipad App Review: FoodGazer

I am very excited to share with you a new iPad App that I have been introduced to. FoodGazer is an interactive, up-to-date, visual recipe library that pulls from the blog universe that you can get right on your iPad, any time of day. Download this awesome app and you can have a virtual recipe book with 1,000 and 1,000 of creative, innovative, and delicious recipes from all over the internet world at your finger tips. You can search with keywords, making finding specific recipes easy and quick. Only have certain ingredients in your pantry and don't know what to make? Just type an ingredient in the search box and pull up hundreds of recipes that you can try. My favorite part is the convenience of being able to "star/favorite" those recipes that you love and would want to make again and again. It's sort of like having a recipe book with a never ending supply of new recipes with beautiful, brilliant pictures to quench your visual appetite. Isn't there a saying "You eat with your eyes first"? It's absolutely the truth. I was salivating just looking at some of the delicious recipes that came up. Plus you can just prop your iPad up and read along with the recipe as you cook. No need to print it out and waste paper, go green!

So if your looking for a food app that brings together the convenience of searching, visual stimulation, and a place to save all your favorite recipes, look no further. FoodGazer is for you!

This is the link if you are overwhelmed with the need to have this app right now (don't worry I felt the same way): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foodgazer/id477598997?ls=1&mt=8 

Puff Pastry stuffed with Brie & Balsamic Peaches

After an excruciatingly painful foot spasm tonight, I am finally sitting in front of my computer, with my little pup, excited to share this new recipe with you. Balsamic vinegar is one of my favorite flavors; add it to a salad with oil and it's a healthy dressing, toss it on cooked veggies and you have whole new side dish, add a little sugar to it and reduce it, you have a sweet and tangy glaze. This is exactly the process I used to create this delicious flavor palette. I tossed the peaches in a sweet balsamic glaze and set them between flaky puff pastry layers with brie cheese. The brie helps to offset the sweet flavors with a touch of saltiness. These are a sure way to a someone's heart for Valentine's Day. 

Puff Pastry stuffed with Brie & Balsamic Peaches

The Lone Star State: Part II

You saw the first part of our trip, where we were nestled far away from civilization; our only companions, fish, strays cats and cows. Now for the second part of the trip where we joined the human race and feasted like kings and queens {Texas Kings and Queens}. On our 4th day in Texas we packed up our rental car and drove 3 hours to San Antonio, the birthplace of The Lone Star state. On our way though, we stopped for some BBQ at Texas Pride BBQ, which had been featured on one of our favorite shows, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. The BBQ was out of this world good. The decor was exactly what I would picture for a great BBQ joint. Vintage and rustic, with park bench tables, a concession stand for all your favorite toppings, and a smoker pit in the back that you can smell from miles around. Just look at this place, screams great BBQ right?

Bang Bang Shrimp in Lettuce Wraps

Fried Shrimp...Yum! Fried Shrimp with a Spicy, Chili Mayo...double Yum! Fried Shrimp with a Spicy, Chili Mayo, Avocado's, Onions and Peppers, in a Lettuce Wrap...Yumilicous! This is one of my favorite meals now. Ok it's not healthy because of the fried shrimp, but it is in a lettuce wrap instead of a tortilla, give a girl some credit for trying. I honestly like the lettuce wrap better then a tortilla in this case. It gives a nice fresh crunch when you bite into it; it's sort of like a salad turned taco. It can also be a great appetizer if you make the portion size smaller, since it's hand held and easy to grab and go. Something that would be simple enough to grace your table for Super Bowl even. 

Scroll down to the bottom of the post for this week's "Outta the Box" linky party to share your recipes.

Bang Bang Shrimp in Lettuce Wraps

Whole Wheat Raspberry Pancakes with Almond Syrup

It's almost Valentines Day and what better way to start the day then with pink heart shaped pancakes to show the one you love how much they mean to you. Many people do the red velvet pancakes, or just add red food coloring to normal pancake batter, but I wanted to try something different. I thought that red fruit would give me the color I was looking for and the flavor. So I went ahead and mixed up these healthy and delicious bad boys and they were all that I had hoped; raspberry flavor and coloring throughout. Even if it's not Valentine's Day, who wouldn't love pink pancakes? 

Whole Wheat Raspberry Pancakes with Almond Syrup