BANANA WALNUT UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

CHIVE BLOSSOM VINEGAR

If you have any chive blossoms left in your garden, you may be interested in making Chive Blossom Vinegar. You can find the detailed instructions on Savoring Time in the Kitchen and here. 

Close your jar, and allow to steep in a cool, dark place. After the blossoms steep in the vinegar for one to two weeks, strain and refrigerate. I didn't use a jar with a metal lid, but if you do, place some plastic wrap in between the lid and jar as the acidity of the vinegar may corrode the lid.

               

This is the pretty color after one week. 

Here is the gorgeous pink color after two weeks, strained and ready for gift giving. I also kept a jar for myself, and bought some beautiful lettuce at the farmers market today so we had it for dinner tonight. It is wonderful!

While you are in your garden picking chive blossoms, enjoy the scenery!

I'm joining the Cozy Home Party and Seasonal Sundays.

Thank you for stopping by!

Debbie

LITTLE PIES...AND A NEW TOY FOR ME!

I ADORE little pies! The Breville mini pie maker has been on my wish list for the last year, so when I found out about a  three day sale at Williams-Sonoma, I just couldn't pass it up for $49.95. When I placed the order, I chatted with customer service for almost 20 minutes. She was very passionate about it and wanted to share her experience with me.

Our very first pies were cherry because cherry is our favorite. Mini egg breakfast pies are next on the list. I'm thinking with summer just around the corner, mini savory pies with a side salad will make nice summer meals. 

  Photo courtesy of Williams-Sonoma      

                  

                            

 In the instruction book, they recommend using either a pie crust or puff pasty. We've tried them both ways, and prefer the puffed pastry.                                      

It's a sturdy, easy to clean machine. I bake for my mom and next door neighbor on a regular basis, so this will make it so simple. Who doesn't love a little pie?  Having a jar of  pie filling makes it even easier.  Takes about 10 minutes to bake (not including 5 minutes prep time). Clean up is a breeze...just wipe.

I am joining the Cozy Home Party and Foodie Friday. Thanks for stopping by!

Debbie

HAPPY EASTER....AND THE BEST PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL PANCAKES

To those that celebrate, Happy Easter! I think I will ALWAYS enjoy coloring eggs for Easter. We played around with food coloring, brown and white eggs, and had some cheap fun! 

Sharing one of my favorite pancake recipes. I've made these twice, but the lighting was never good enough for a photo since I usually eat pancakes before 8 in the morning. These amazing pancakes are from the Recipe Girl, and I found the recipe when searching for ways to use up some pumpkin.  She had me at pumpkin, but the cinnamon filling and icing puts these pancakes over the top. We'll be starting Easter Sunday with attending sunrise service and then looking forward to these pancakes.

Photo courtesy of RecipeGirl.com

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes from RecipeGirl.com

CINNAMON FILLING:
1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

CREAM CHEESE ICING:
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter
2 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

PANCAKES:
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup pure unsweetened pumpkin puree
2 large eggs
2 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice (see Tips below)
1/2/ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar

directions:

1. Prepare the cinnamon filling: In a small bowl- mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Whisk the filling ingredients together and then pour it into a sandwich-sized zip baggie. Zip up the baggie and lay it on the counter while you prepare the pancake batter.

2. Prepare the Icing: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, heat butter and cream cheese 30 to 60 seconds, just until butter has melted and cream cheese has softened. Whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla and combine until smooth. Set the icing aside.

3. Prepare the pancake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together milk, pumpkin, eggs, oil, and vinegar. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, salt and brown sugar. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir just until all is moistened.

4. Check on your cinnamon filling: Open up the baggie again and give it a good stir to re-incorporate any butter that may have separated. You want the mixture to thicken a bit- it's best when it's similar to the squeezing texture of toothpaste (which will eventually happen if you leave it on the counter long enough, but refrigerate for a few minutes if you need to). Don't try to use the filling for the pancake swirl unless it has thickened as it will be too runny! Snip off a small piece of the corner of the baggie.

5. Cook the pancakes: Preheat a large skillet or griddle to medium, and spray it with nonstick spray. Use an ice cream scoop (or ladle) to add the batter to the pan. Use the bottom of the scoop or ladle to spread out the batter into a nice, even circle. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pick up your cinnamon filling baggie and squeeze the filling into the corner. Starting at the center of the pancake squeeze the cinnamon filling on top of the pancake batter in a swirl (just as you see in a cinnamon roll). Cook the pancakes 3 to 4 minutes, or until bubbles begin popping on top of the pancake and it is golden brown on the bottom. Slide a thin spatula underneath the pancake and gently but quickly flip it over. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until the other side is golden as well. When you flip the pancake onto a plate, you will see that the cinnamon filling has created a crater-swirl of cinnamon. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel, and repeat with the remaining pancake batter and cinnamon filling. Serve pancakes topped with a drizzle of cream cheese icing.

tips:

*If you do not have pumpkin pie spice, use this combo of spices instead: 1 teaspoon allspice, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*Check out my Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll Pancakes post for some more tips on how to get the cinnamon filling *just right* (it's critical to the success of these pancakes!)

Source: RecipeGirl.com

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This delicious recipe brought to you by RecipeGirl.com

http://www.recipegirl.com/2011/09/22/pumpkin-cinnamon-roll-pancakes/

Thank you for stopping by!  I am joining Seasonal Sunday.

xxoo

Debbie

GRANOLA FROM MY FAVORITE VERY ROMANTIC INN AND A SKI PARTY

My inspiration for this tablescape is from our Ski Party from 2011. We finally have snow, and it is soooo cozy. We are heading to the Adirondack mountains for our annual winter getaway. You are all invited to Mountain Breath's ski party. 

But first, I am sharing my very favorite granola in the whole wide world. Love starting my day with granola from my favorite inn. I had no idea that the inn would give me the recipe, but they went into the kitchen and handed me a copy. I've never heard the word "NO" at this inn. That's why we love it. Anyhoo, here is the recipe.

Mix in large bowl:

2 c. Oats
1 c. Whole Wheat Flour
1 c. Whole Bran Cereal (Special K or Bran Flakes)
1 c. Coconut
1/2 c. Nuts (any kind)

Melt until hot and bubbly:

8 oz. Butter
1 c. Honey

Add to Butter-Honey Mixture:
1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Combine all ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees on a 12" x 9" cookie sheet for 20 - 30 minutes.

For Fine Granola - break apart while still warm.

For Larger Granola - break apart when cool.(This is my favorite way to eat it...I look for the big clumps with lots of nuts)

You're going to need mittens for the ski party, so I've placed a pair at your table setting. Do you remember when blogger Stone Gable taught us how to make the Diamond Napkin Fold  to make our napkins look like this? Very easy. The cozy mittens are napkin rings that I have had forever. 

Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies will warm your heart.  

Our ski party is taking place at the inn where we are guests. The cozy inn puts out a tray of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies so that when you check in, you have something to look forward to.     They are willing to share the recipe, so I am sharing it with you. We'll snowshoe or ski during the day, and head back to the inn around 4:00 when they serve coffee, tea and more cookies. 

Pour yourself some coffee or tea and cozy up to the roaring fire.



A short tour of the inn. Every inch of the inn spells RELAXATION~

And if you want to venture outdoors for a walk Lake Placid, you will be surrounded by Winter's rich evergreens.

The snow is good for keeping beverages chilled for the Ski Party. 

A little box of sweets from the folks at the cozy inn. 

Around the inn, there are "words" that I love.

This blue hour photo has a tropical look until you see the snow on the cars!

Thank you very much for stopping by! I'm joining the Cozy Home Party and Tablescape Thursday, Foodie Friday and Seasonal Sundays. If you'd like to leave me a comment to let me know you were here, I'll stop by your place for a visit! 

Debbie