Biscuit Cakes

Biscuits and syrup.  Do you remember that?  Do you still eat it?  I think I ate it every time my precious Mama made her fabulous homemade biscuits.  It was soooo good.  I would eat just the biscuits, all broken up, covered with syrup.  I know,  but when something is that good ... you just can't help yourself!  Bake yourself some biscuit cakes and eat them instead of pancakes.  You will love them!

Homemade Biscuit Mix

I sometimes use packaged biscuit mix in  my recipes, don't you?  Since I have been sharing them, it has come to my attention that not all of my friends, that follow Recipes For My Boys, have access to items like Bisquick.  I shared my Cheddar Garlic Biscuits this morning on facebook and one of my friends, from the UK, commented she was all excited about making them, until she read ... biscuit mix.  That was all it took to get me in the kitchen to make my own.  I think it turned out great and so did hubby.  At least by all the biscuits he ate, I would say so.  I don't think I'll be buying the packaged biscuit mix again.

Orange Bran Muffins

My oldest twin loves oranges and anything made with them.  I wanted to make him something special since I have been with his twin, at the hospital, for three days.  We missed each other dearly.  This morning, we sat down and ate our Orange Bran Muffins, just the two of us.  ~smile~

Orange Bran Muffins

1 1/2 cups bran flakes cereal

1 cup buttermilk 

1 egg

1/3 cup shortening

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup unbleached all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

zest from 1 medium Sunkist Orange, about 2 teaspoons

Simple Orange Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

zest from one medium Sunkist orange

2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed Sunkist orange juice or milk

For muffins:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Grease, Homemade Cake Release, or use paper liners in standard muffin pan.  Add bran flakes to buttermilk and let sit while making batter.  Cream shortening and brown sugar together until fluffy.  Beat in egg.  Sift in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and desired amount of cinnamon.  Add zest of orange and mix until incorporated.  Fold in buttermilk/cereal mixture just until mixed together.  Fill muffin tins 3/4 way full.  Bake in preheated oven 17 to 20 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean.  Take out of oven and place on cooling rack. 

For glaze: 

Mix ingredients together.  Dip tops of muffins in glaze or drizzle over tops.  Enjoy! 

Tall and Fluffy Biscuits Made From Scratch

These biscuits are so easy to make and better than a biscuit mix! In a very short amount of time, these tall and fluffy biscuits can be on your table. They are perfect for breakfast, a slider and supper. This recipes makes 10 3" biscuits.

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Honey Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls

These are easy to fix even for a school day morning.  I made them this morning for my boys and still have plenty of time to do what I always do.  You know,  the things that were supposed to be done last night that were not for some unknown reason.  Kind of like “the dog ate my homework” kind of thing.  Get up and get moving!  Made a special breakfast for you little ones and big ones alike. 

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Egg Asparagus and Grits

We love breakfast for supper and eat it quite often.  The other night we had it again with; Bakin’ Bacon,  grits, Homemade Tall and Fluffy Biscuits, Perfect Scrambled Eggs, Perfect Fried Eggs and Microwave Fluffy Pancakes.   As usual, I wanted something a little different and remembered the asparagus I had in the fridge that desperately needed to be cooked.   I made Roasted Asparagus with it and decided to add that to my plate.  It was wonderful and will have a place on my breakfast menu, whether morning or evening, from now on.  There really isn’t a recipe.  You cook the grits,  roast the asparagus, or cook in a skillet, and cook your egg the way you like it, season and enjoy!  You see how I like mine.  

Perfect Fried Eggs

Once in a great while, I want my eggs cooked this way.  Just the way my precious Mama would make them.  The only way my sweet Daddy would ever eat them.  Don't cook the yolks hard.   If you do, you need to crack open another egg and try again.  The tops of the yolks actually had a light coating of white but the yolk was very runny and they are never flipped over.  Never!  Which is probably why I cannot flip an egg without breaking the yolk now.  Ready to fry perfect eggs?  Let's get crackin'!  (sorry about that!)

Perfect Scrambled Eggs

My boys favorite way to eat eggs is scrambled.  It doesn’t matter how many times I ask, it’s always the same.  These soft scrambled eggs turn out perfect every time.  

Bakin’ Bacon

My oldest has a huge FCAT Writing test today so I got up early and made his favorite breakfast; bacon, scrambled eggs and homemade biscuits.  Making bacon in the oven is a great way to cook it.  The oven does all the work for you so you don’t have to stand in front of the stove getting splattered and well, using time that is always in demand.  I was able to get the biscuits ready and lunches packed while the bacon was bakin’ away.  Next time you need to cook a whole package of bacon..heat up the oven and get your baking sheet out.

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Baked Cheese Grits and Eggs

Grits are a staple in the South.  I've eaten them all my born days. Always. Not that I remember, but I just bet you, grits were my first food.  Mixed up with an egg, yep,  I just bet ya.  That's the way my precious Daddy ate his for breakfast, it was always the same way.  He would put his 2 sunny side up eggs on top of a plate full of grits, chop them up and mix it all together.  Eaten with thick rind bacon and homemade fluffy biscuits ...YUM!  If you haven't tried it, you need to.  These baked grits are great made with bacon or sausage and cutting down, or eliminating, the cheese.  Alternately, you can bake in individual baking dishes.

Cara Cara Orange Coffee Cake

If you have never tried Cara Cara Orange Coffee Cake, or any orange coffee cake for that matter, you need to!  It really is amazing!  Hubby thinks so, too.  I cut a piece to take a picture later, put it aside and went about cleaning the mess I made in the kitchen.  I am a messy one!  When the kitchen was clean,  I went to take the picture of my perfect little piece of Cara Cara Orange Coffee Cake and it was gone!  Geez, I thought after hubby ate three pieces, this piece would be safe.  No!  He ate it!  Hence, the photo below is not the perfect piece I wanted to take a picture of.  I had to take a picture in a hurry and hope for the best.  This is it in all its glory.  From now on, if I want to take a picture of something I'll snap away or I'll hide it!  Enjoy!

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Fluffy Microwave Pancakes

I started a board on Pinterest, Microwave…Making Life Easier.  While looking on the internet I found microwave pancakes on Oprah.  Wow!  I have tried a lot of things in the microwave but never pancakes.  These turned out to be the best pancakes ever!  They felt like fluffy clouds…honest! 

Fluffy Microwave Pancakes

2 cups Bisquick

1 egg, beaten

club soda

buttermilk

1 teaspoon sugar

Whisk Bisquick around to break apart lumps.  Add sugar, egg and enough club soda to moisten but not completely wet it.  Add enough buttermilk to make a medium batter.  Spray a microwave safe plate with non-stick spray or spritz with oil.  Put 1/4 cup, or enough to cover inner part of plate, batter on plate.  Microwave 30 to 40 seconds until pancake is no longer moist, not dry, and tiny holes appear.  Repeat with remaining batter.  Enjoy!

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The Better Baker Weekend Potluck #48

Buttery Buttermilk Biscuits

I finally made biscuits that were light, fluffy, a little buttery and, well, edible!!!  I was so excited I just about drove my oldest by bonkers while riding in the truck yesterday talking about my biscuits!  ~smile~   It was quite an accomplishment for me since I am a Southerner, coming from a line of great women that made the BEST biscuits and couldn't make a descent biscuit.  Here they are...what do you think?

Homemade Instant Oatmeal

We love oatmeal at our house yet each boy wants their's a bit different.  I've seen this on the internet for some time now and I decided to make my own instant oatmeal so they can each have their own favorite.   Brown or regular sugar, sugar substitute, cinnamon, nuts, coconut, chocolate chips...the possibilities are endless! Putting the Instant Oatmeal in jars so they can be easily accessed and used in the desired amounts, has been great.   I'm cold and ready to make some Instant Oatmeal come on and join me.

Homemade Instant Oatmeal

Ingredients

4 cups 100% whole grain old fashion oats 

1/4 to 1/2 brown or regular sugar or sugar substitute, more or less, you decide
*make your own brown sugar*

1/2 teaspoon salt

ground cinnamon

vanilla beans

nut, chopped, optional

dried fruit optional

coconut, optional

chocolate chips, optional

anything else you may want to add that is a favorite and can be stored in a jar

To make

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Place oatmeal on a cookie sheet and bake 4 to 7 minutes, stirring every minute so it doesn't brown too much

Take out of oven when light brown.  Leave oven on if adding nuts or coconut to oatmeal.

Cool completely.

While cooling you can toast nuts and/or coconut if you are adding them.  Toast until lightly browned.  Around 3 minutes, stirring often.

Cool and set aside.

 Chop toasted oatmeal in food processor, I use my little food chopper and did it in batches. A blender may also be used.

Give a coarse to fine chop, however you like your oatmeal.  We eat it medium.

Put in a mixing bowl and add sugar and salt mixing well.  I just mixed in the jar.  

Add additional ingredients if desired.

Store in an airtight container.  

To serve

Heat water to boil.

Stir oatmeal before adding desired amount into a heatproof bowl.

Add boiling water, depending on how thick you want yours.

We use 2/3 cup Instant Oatmeal to 1 cup boiling water, more or less depending on how thick you like it.

Add cream, milk, fresh fruit or eat it as it is.

Enjoy!  

Low Fat Waffles

School's started and I like to keep something in the freezer for a fast morning meal.  You know, for those mornings when we run a little late.  Yep, we do that!  ~smile~

I made a LOT of pancakes and waffles last week.  When I went to get them yesterday morning they were gone.  My boys had eaten every one of them!!!  LOL  I made them again today.  These are super fast to make, low fat, light and fluffy!  I make mine in a waffle maker I bought at Walmart one Christmas for $5.00.  I never used it until recently and now it is used all the time!  Go dig your's from out of the back of the cabinet or closet.  Dust off the box and put it to use.  You'll be happy you did!  Waffles aren't just for breakfast.  Top them with fruit and serve as an afternoon treat.  Cut in slices and serve with warmed jam or syrup *Make Your Own Syrup*  in a cup for dipping.  Layer squares on a skewer with fresh fruit and serve with yogurt fruit dip!!!  Enjoy!  Love and hugs!

Low Fat Waffles 

makes 10

3 cups reduced fat biscuit mix, I use Bisquick

1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups club soda

1 egg, 2 egg whites or egg substitute, beaten

1 1/2 Tablespoons oil

1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Whisk together biscuit mix, egg, oil, 1-2 teaspoons vanilla and 1 1/4 cup club soda.  If it is too thick add a little more club soda.  Too thin, add more biscuit mix..a Tablespoon at the time.

Cook in waffle maker according to directions.  I cook about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.  

Eat what you want and put the rest in a freezer bag for another morning.  Pop in the toaster on lowest setting until warm.  Or, in the microwave for 20 seconds, more or less depending on your microwave.

Take out and top with your favorite fruit, whipped cream or syrup. 

Enjoy!  

Baked Banana French Toast Casserole with Brown Sugar Vanilla Crumb Topping

I get tired of the same ole, same ole for breakfast/brunch, don't you?  Every morning, it's the same for us.  Eggs, turkey bacon, grits, oatmeal, pancakes...you get the idea.   It was time to try something new.  I decided on baked french toast and the result was a very delicious, dessert like meal.   Perfect for a lazing weekend brunch when you want something special but don't want to spend the morning making it. 

This needs to be made ahead of time, overnight is great.  You can make it in the morning for an evening dessert, too.  I made it in the afternoon and baked it the next morning.   A shorter amount of time would work as well.  I had an abundance of bananas I bought on sale, just wanting to become a part of this scrumptious pan of yumminess.  Those, along with homemade bread (I forgot to write the recipe down!) ...were perfect.  The baked french toast itself is not very sweet but the topping is.  The combination works well.  Feel free to adjust to your desired sweetness.  I also found that I did not need syrup or even powdered sugar, at all for this.  It's your breakfast/dessert, you eat it any way you like it.  After all, I read that eating dessert with breakfast helps you lose weight.  Perhaps it works if you eat your dessert for breakfast instead????  Enjoy!  <3 and hugs! 

Baked Banana French Toast with Brown Sugar Vanilla Crumb Topping

Baked French Toast

1 loaf of French or Italian bread, sliced 3/4"

   may use regular bread, also

1 1/2 cups coconut milk, whole milk or half & half

6 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup heavy cream

   may use any combination

1/4 cup sugar or more 

1/4 honey or more 

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

4 bananas or any fruit, or combination, you have on hand

1 tablespoon lemon juice and 4 tablespoons water, to dip bananas or apples in, if using

Brown Sugar Vanilla Crumb Topping

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoon unsalted butter 

Grease, or spray with non stick spray, 8x10 pan. 

Put slices of bread in greased pan.  If using loaf bread, overlap the pieces.  

In large bowl, mix by hand, eggs, cream and milk, sugar, honey, cinnamon, vanilla.   

Pour over bread, pushing slices down.  Cover with foil and put in refrigerator for 2 hours to overnight.  Although I have never made this before, I would probably put it in the oven before the 2 hours was up, if'fen I took a mind to.  ~smile~  

When getting ready to bake, take out of oven for 30 minutes and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Cook, covered for 30 minutes.  While cooking, cut up fruit you wish to use, if any.  If your fruit tends to darken, mix lemon juice and water, and put fruit in it.  

Cut flour, brown sugar, vanilla and butter together to resemble crumbs.  

Place fruit that has been in lemon water, on paper towel to drain.  Pat dry.

After 30 minutes, take out of oven and carefully remove foil, there will be steam.   

Layer fruit and top with crumb mixture.  Bake another 15-20 minutes, until brown. 

*Note...my french toast looked like a mountain in the middle but settled back down once out of the oven.  

Serve with warm maple syrup and/or powdered sugar.  Warning....it will be very sweet if you do!  I like it just the way it is out of the oven.  Enjoy!  <3 and hugs! 

I would love for you to  stop by, subscribe (button is above the picture)  and leave a comment on Examiner.com.  Thank you!  <3 and hugs! 

Breakfast Slider

We love to eat breakfast for supper.  Do you?  There is just something so comforting to it.  I always think of my Precious Mama when we do.  Frying up bacon and then scattering flour on the bottom of the cast iron frying pan to cook the eggs just right!  MMM...treasured food and memory.  I'm not cooking bacon now but thought I would share since it's breakfast and all.  <3

I made this sandwich for my hubby the other night and he really like it, I did too!  The boys like their egg scrambled while we like our a little runny.  Eggs, sausage, hash browns, onions, pepper jack cheese, garlic and thyme.  Are you ready to eat?  Well, here you go then !  Enjoy!  <3 and hugs!

Breakfast Slider

1 lb bulk sausage, sliced or sausage patties, country, maple, hot, sage or season your own

or ground sirloin

eggs

pepper jack cheese, shredded

hash browns, I used frozen diced ones

1/4 minced onions

1-2 cloves minced garlic

dried thyme

sea salt, to taste

freshly ground pepper, to taste

 dinner rolls or slices of bread cut in rounds

Make sausage, or sirloin, into patties and cook until done.  Temperature should be 160 degrees for pork.  Cook sirloin the way you like it.

Put on paper towels to soak up the grease.  Blot tops.

Save a little grease, if desired, and add oil to cook hash browns according to directions.

Add hash browns, onions and garlic.  Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Grate cheese.

When the hash browns are almost done on the flip side, toast rolls or bread rounds that have been cut with a cookie cutter or coffee mug.

To microwave eggs:  Crack an egg in a coffee cup/mug.

Sprinkle with thyme.

Cook at medium heat (1100 watt microwave) for 30 seconds or until the white is cooked on top.  Carefully flip it over and cook another 5 to 10 seconds or until your cooked the way you like your egg.  WATCH CAREFULLY!

If using diced potatoes, mash potatoes and onions until stuck together like the shredded ones.

Place on toasted rolls or toast rounds.

Top with shredded pepper jack cheese.

Place sausage, or sirloin, patty on top of cheese.

Top with egg.  Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

Add additional cheese, if desired.  

Instant Oatmeal Pancakes for One!

An easy way to make pancakes that are healthy and yummy!  By using one package of instant oatmeal, you can have pancakes in minutes!  Use any variety and your flavored pancakes possibilities are endless!  May also be viewed here: http://www.examiner.com/food-in-orlando/healthy-instant-oatmeal-pancakes-for-one   Enjoy! <3 and hugs!

Please check the Coupon tab to see if Instant Oatmeal, and other favorites, are there.  ~smile~

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Baked Breaded Bacon

My hubby, Ted, bought bacon the other day while grocery shopping.  Yep,  he does that!  I didn't know what I was going to cook tonight.  While rummaging around in the fridge, I found it.

Okay..now I have bacon.  What am I going to do with it?   I remembered Nel of The Paper Cup Kitchen  mentioned cooking bacon in the oven,  on her facebook.  I don't recall the instructions for it but do remember thinking that my Sweet Grandma and Mama did that!  I also remembered them breading the bacon with flour.  Flour........I used seasoned flour the other day when I fried fish.  Oh My Gosh,  this is really sounding good to me now.  Now I know what I have to do.  I hope you like it like we did.  These were very thin pieces of bacon and did very well.  Boys kept coming back for more.  I broke the bacon in halves.  One boy had 6 pieces, one had 4 and the other doesn't like bacon....I know can you imagine? lol  <3 and hUgs!

Baked Breaded Bacon

12 oz or however much you want to cook,  low sodium bacon

1 to 2 cups seasoned flour...any breading mix will work, or make your own

I used Kentucky Kernel Seasoned Flour

Spray cookie sheets. I used 2 for 12 oz.

Put flour on a plate, in bowl or plastic bag.

Coat bacon completely.

Place on greased cookie sheets.

Place in COLD oven.

Turn oven on to 350 degrees.

Cook for 10 minutes and get out of oven.

Flip the bacon over and put back in oven, turning pans around.

Cook for another 3 - 5 minutes, if it is not done, continue cooking and check every minute or two, so it doesn't burn.

Take out when done..browned and almost crisp.

Place on paper towels to absorb excess grease. 

Enjoy!  <3 and hUgs!

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Sausage Rolls

An easy make ahead breakfast or after school snack.  Two ingredients and you are set!  Great for appetizers while watching football with spicy or honey mustard.

Sausage Rolls

1 bag frozen yeast rolls

1 package, 10-12 brown n serve sausage links
(double the sausage if you are leaving the sausage whole)

Thaw rolls as directed.

Thaw sausage and cut in half.

Once thawed, stretch dough to make a circle.

Place sausage half inside. 
You can also leave sausage whole, stretch and wrap around.

Roll up and tuck ends over top, flip over and place in greased 13x9 pan. 

If cooking at a later time, spray tops, cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator.  Get out in the morning and let them set, and come to room temperature, while your oven is preheating.  Cook as below. 

If cooking now...let double in size. Then place in preheated 350 degree oven and cook for 7 minutes, turn around.  Cook another 5 minutes and check.  These need to be a little dark to cook throughout.  15-18 minutes should be good.

As always, My oven cooks different than yours.  Check before earliest time and adjust time accordingly.

Top with butter and serve.  <3 and Hugs!

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