French Toast, My Southern Ways and other Misc Things

I thought about this post while I was up half the night.  I was thinking about it because I was hungry and wanting some of my stuffed french toast.  For someone reason everyone seems to fall in love with it.  I get calls from friends wanting to come see me so that I can fix them stuffed french toast.
So I thought since I have very little to post I will post about Stuffed French Toast.

First let me tell you how I came about this.
When we lived in Kansas City one of our favorite places to get away was Branson.  We loved to stay at The Bradford House.  Bob and Cristy became like a second family we were there so much.  Just to get away, anniversaries, birthday, and when we miscarried.  Standing in the kitchen while they prepared breakfast, I would watch as Bob whipped up this wonderful stuffed french toast.  His version varies quite a bit from mine but I think they are equally as good.  If you are ever in Branson, you cannot go wrong staying there.  The place is beautiful inside and out.  The view is breath taking and the Inn Keepers are exceptional.  (I hope they are still there since we've not been unfortunately in 6yrs now).

Below you will find pictures and a "recipe".
Here is where my "southern ways" comes in.  Rarely do I ever use a recipe.  My food is usually based on something I've seen or had and I've recreated it.  Or something I watched Nannie fix while growing up.  She never used measurements for cooking.  A dash of this, a sprinkle of that, butter "egg size", a "cup" that usually consisted of an old coffee cup she had used.  So you see, for me to tell you exact measurements for this is impossible.  So this morning I "attempted" to do that as I went a long.

First you will need all of this:

I'm guessing at measurements, please keep this in mind.  It's French toast, so roll with it!!  You can't go wrong, well you can, but give it a shot!!

(this is based on 2 people)

4 slices of Texas Toast (fresh or stale is fine)
or if you prefer you can slice your own french bread but do it thick
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 - 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk (or more)
cinnamon
1 tsp of vanilla
cream cheese
powdered sugar

Toppings:
fresh fruit
fried apples
peaches, blackberries, cherries fixed for cobblers
(if you don't know how you can always buy a can of pie filling and warm it in the microwave)
syrup
honey
cool whip

I like to mix my sugar and cinnamon together first, then add my eggs and milk.  It's all about consistency.  It should be somewhat thin but have a yellowish/reddish tint if it is more "white" from too much milk, add another egg and a dash more of sugar and cinnamon.  Note, I always like to use a "smaller" "high sided" bowl to mix in so that it stands around my bread.

I use a lot of cinnamon, but I love the taste of it.  You put in how much you think you would like. 

Once I put it in the skillet I like to sprinkle a little extra on the toast. 

Fry this until browned like grilled cheese. 

While it is frying I slice my cream cheese.  

I flatten the slices a little so it will get soft easier between the warm toast.

Usually I put 2 slices between the bread.  

Sometimes I like it a little thicker, sometimes thinner all depending on my toppings I use. 

When I  have the second layer on top I then sprinkle it with powder sugar. 

Top it with anything you like.  My favorite is doing what I call a "tropical" stuffed french toast. 

I use coconut, fresh pineapple and bananas on top.  

today was just powdered sugar for me.  

DH likes his with apple butter from the Apple Barn.

If you have never been to that little Tennessee treat in Pigeon Forge You MUST go. 

Yes, I made mushroom, onion, and tomato omlettes this morning as well. 

I'll save that recipe for another day maybe. 

I topped it all off with a big cup and I do mean big cup of fresh ground coffee.

The next few weeks here are going to be pretty busy.  Next weekend we will be going to Bloomington for DH's Grandma's 89th Birthday party.  Where I will be able to eat cupcakes made by my delightful cousin Kat who has just started her own blog on cupcakes and such at Kat's Cake-Topia.  Head over there and give her a BIG shout out and welcome. She is the creator of those awesome Coconut Lime Cupcakes you heard me going on about for days (if you are friends with me on Facebook).

DH will be gone Valentines week to Atlanta on a business trip.  Then that Friday Aunt Mattie and I are going to Cinnci to see Ree Drummond.  You know PIONEER WOMAN!!!!!  I am so exited, can you tell? 

I guess DH signed us up for the 

Update on the bathroom project.  Guys still haven't showed up.  Suppose to come tomorrow, I'm not holding my breath.  Although it has motivated DH.  He has pulled out the drywall, and is currently as I type installing the new flooring.  I'm glad.  I'm already tired of seeing the bathroom sitting in my courting parlor, foyer and any where else it has landed while coming home from Lowe's lol.  Now I just have to pick out a color.  I thought all this would be fun but instead I have found it stressful because everything we wanted they had the faucet but not the tub set or vice versa.  So we had to change that, then lights, etc.  Oh well, it's just part of the whole experience I guess. 

 Momma just texted me and is bringing DH and I both back a warm piece of this 

from here

Smokey Valley Truck Stop

If you missed my story on this place check it out here.

So I gotta run!  I'll post more later............

Saturday in the Hills

It's a fairly warm Saturday here in the hills for a Saturday in Jan.

Suppose to top out today at 55.

The sun is trying to sneak it's little head out and say "howdy".

I know it's hard to believe but I am still in my jammies here at 2pm

and to be perfectly honest, I don't know that I will get out of them today.

It's so nice to just be lazy!!!

DH asked this morning if I would fix "Lennie's Duck"

which is a dish here in the hills we fix.  Who knows, maybe others do?

It's great with a big pone of cornbread and glass of sweet tea, Mmmm..

I told him that was fine, and since I had the stuff, I would make the

Lemon Meringue Pie with Cookie Crumb Crust from over at Southern Plate.

Christy sure does know how to make a mean lemon pie.

 

We had a piece of Ice box Lemon Pie which is

similiar to this at Bozo's Hot Pit Bar-B-Que in Mason TN

(outside of Memphis TN) a few years back on our anniversary. 

It was awesome!!  I guess so since I learned while looking for an addy to it

this morning that Hard Rock Cafe' has bought them out,

and trying to make them an international success as well.

Which is somewhat disappointing since it was a great small town place.

It also is where they filmed part of Walk The Line about Johnny & Juny Cash.

DH had to have some bar-b-que sauce to go

That is what is in the brown bag, not booze.

Although it is addictive as booze some would say.

Reason why I love DH today?

1. He went to Wally World so I didn't have to, and took my brother

2. He is outside taking down all the Christmas lights while it's still warm

3. Simply because he loves me so.

So here is the recipe for Lennie's Duck

(I will have DH take a picture to post later)

• 1lb of hamburger
• 1/4lb pork sausage
• 6 potatoes peeled & quartered
• 2 large onions quartered
• 4 carrots sliced
• 1 head of cabbage quartered

Mix hamburger & sausage with salt and pepper.  Roll into balls about the size of a quarter.

Place in 13x9x2 inch pan.  Add potatoes, carrots, onions. 

I usually pull my cabbage quarters apart and lay across the other stuff.

I usually only use half the cabbage, and sometimes even fix it seperate as boiled cabbage.

Salt a little again (or alot if you're me)

Cover and cook at 400 for 1 1/2 hrs.

Serve with Cornbread and Sweet Tea!

 

Tuesday's Tasty Treat (Homemade Thin Mints)

Today's Tasty Treat I'm leaving with you is a homemade version of a girl scout thin mint cookie, yum!!
It's one of my favorite Christmas Treats to fix.

What You'll Need:
1 pkg of almond bark chocolate flavor or chocolate chips, melted
(I personally like the almond bark because it's supper easy to melt)
1 bottle of peppermint oil
2 sleeves of Ritz Crackers
Wax paper, spoon, & fork

Melt chocolate, then adding 1 to 2 drops of peppermint oil.  I do it to my personal taste.
Usually 2 drops is enough for a batch.  Mix well. 
Then I roll the ritz cracker slowly not to break them in the chocolate.
Lifting the cracker out of the chocolate with the fork so that the chocolate can drip off a little.
Placing the cracker on the wax paper to cool and set up.

Makes approximately 2 sleeves of crackers.
Believe it or not these are REALLY good, and reallly simple to make.

Just an update, I went to the doctor yesterday.  She says I will live, lol.  I have a horrible sinus infection trying to move into my lungs, so I'm suppose to take it easy rest, rest, rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take my meds she says.  My post will probably be short and sweet this week.
Hope you all are having fun getting prepared for Christmas.  In the midst of it all, please don't forget the
Reason For the Season, Jesus.



picture from Saturday Night's work Christmas Party

Hubby's Kinda Breakfast

This is one of DH's favorite breakfasts. He's only fortunate enough to get breakfast on Sunday's when I have plenty of time to piddle in the kitchen.
Really it's the rice he likes best. I generally serve it with scrambled eggs with cheese, and a tortilla. Below is the recipe for the breakfast rice.

Ingredients:
1 roll of hot or sage sausage browned
1 green pepper chopped
1 red pepper chopped
1 onion diced
1 Tablespoon of chicken flavoring (such as a bullion)
(I use a brand from GFS, but you can get it anywhere)
3 cups of instant rice
3 cups of water for rice
tortillas

Brown sausage. I recommend hot or sage sausage because it has much more flavor to spreed around. When browned, put your water on to boil for your rice. Adding the chicken flavoring to your water with a dash of Mrs. Dash.
Add peppers and onions to your sausage while your letting your rice cook.
When rice is ready mix together and cook on top of the stove together. About 5-7 minutes allowing the flavors to mingle.
Serve hot with eggs, tortillas, and salsa

note: rice is enough for several people. this makes enough for DH to have rice for at least two days.

Exciting Stuff Here

I've gone a wheee bit crazy this summer with the fruit.
Is being fruity or nutty worse?
I don't know why but I have loaded DH and I up on the fruit this summer.
At any given point in time you can find 2 BAGS of cherries, and 2 BOXES of blueberries. DH loves blueberries. Today I looked in the fridge and am ashamed to admit how many boxes of blueberries I had. let's just say I had some already, and then on "girls night" Friday they were on sale for a $1, yes $1 a box at Wally World. Of course I bought more!! Since I have been home sick, and deathly bored this afternoon I decided to make something with these blueberries.
Waaa Laaa.........Blueberry Crisp.
Of course I couldn't go by the recipe and had to adjust it myself. Seriously, who goes completely by the recipe anyways??
So here it is. It looks delicious. DH is stopping on the way home to pick up some vanilla ice cream to go with it. I hope it taste as good as it looks. Below you will find the recipe I used in case you want to try it. Bon Appetite!

Blueberry Crisp: Bake at 375/30mins

4 cups of fresh blueberries
4 tablespoons of self-rising flour
1/3 cup of granulated sugar
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
3/4 cup of flour
3/4 cup of oats
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup of melted butter

mix 4 tablespoons of flour with sugar. Stir in fresh washed blueberries with lemon juice. Fold into 9" pie plate (I know they're pricey but I love the ones from longenbarger (I hope that's spelled right, oh well I am positive you know what I'm talking about), they are so easy to clean, and they are very hard to burn stuff in)set aside.

mix remaining ingredients. Drop crumbles of mixture over blueberry mixture.
Place in preheated oven 375 for 30 minutes.

Recipe Tuesday on Wednesday

Ok, ok, with all the hustle and bustle of this week, I completely forgot about the dessert recipe for Tuesday. Who wants to think about dessert anyways, when you are doing a low carb diet? Well this one will be short and sweet.

See that beautiful lushes cake with the ice cream, drizzled with hot fudge and caramel sauce? That is my recipe for today. This cake is to absolutely die for!!!
So here it is:

Get your Hubby/Sweetie/Best Girlie Friend and head on down to the nearest Cheddar's Restaurant. Ask to sit near the fireplace. Order a big cup of coffee and a the Chocolate Fudge Cake for $3.99. Yup, you heard me correct this piece of cake is $3.99 and I do have to say, I think it is the best chocolate cake I have ever ate.
This cake could feed up to 4, since it covers a whole dinner plate. (I do not exaggerate when it comes to cake people, especially chocolate) Hubby and I usually can eat it by our self, if we box up half of our meal. Now when "Mrs. Smith" comes to visit, I have this nice piece of cake after I have an order of their onion rings, yummy!!

Locate your nearest Cheddars at www.cheddars.com

Ok, that's it tonight. Hubby got home early. Gonna go snuggle on the couch with him. Tomorrow we talk about diets, lol.

Most Dangerous Cake

Someone brought this recipe to me at work. Since it has all simple ingredients you keep on hand, and takes 5 minutes total to fix, I thought, Ok, I'll try it. So I did.
I thought, hey, I love to cook, so why not have a "Recipe Tuesday" on my blog. So if you are a follower, you are in for a treat!! Hot Tub Lizzy, the "ladies" would love this! It is delicious and cool to make. Yes, the recipe is right, there is enough for 2!

Recipe for "Most Dangerous Cake" below:

(Or known as Minute Chocolate Mug Cake)

1 Coffee Mug
4 tablespoons plain flour (not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil, mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT!! (this can serve 2 if you want to share)

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day!!!!

Note: I used self-rising flour because I was out of plain, so I used a BIG coffee mug and a pot of coffee!!

Enjoy!!!