Pop Up Pancakes

I tried the following Pop Up Pancake Recipe – I found the recipe at Makes and Takes.

1 cup milk
1 cup flour
6 eggs
1/4 cup melted butter
dash salt

Preheat oven at 400
Makes 24 in a muffin pan or 9" x 13" pan - greased.

Mix all ingredients in a blender. You definitely need to use a blender. I first tried to whisk the ingredients together, but the batter was very lumpy. Also, the blender makes it easy to pour right into the muffin tins.

Bake them for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. They should pop right out.

I will say they are very eggy. One of my kids liked them, and the other did not. I'm a big time pancake girl, and these are by no means a traditional pancake. I still prefer regular pancakes over these, but it's a cute idea. We topped ours with powdered sugar and syrup. They definitely need some sweetness.

Caramel Oatmeal Bars

I found this recipe for Caramel Bars on According to Kelly. They are yummy, but just a little too sweet for me. I think I'm going to try them without the caramel next time.

ingredients:
2 sticks melted butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 bag of chocolate chips
1 jar of caramel topping (think smucker's)

1. preheat oven to 325 degrees, & grease a 9x13" baking pan.
2. combine the brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, baking soda & salt. add melted butter & mix until "crumbly".
3. press HALF of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, & bake for about 15 minutes.
4. remove from oven & spread the ENTIRE bottle of caramel topping on top, followed by the the ENTIRE bag of chocolate chips, & then finally sprinkle the remaining prepared dough mixture over the top.
5. continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or so, until it's a light golden brown.
6. once you've removed the caramel bars from the oven you need to let them cool & chill until the chocolate is set.... then it's time to cut them & start feasting.

Sopa de Frijoles

I love to make beans from scratch or from the dry state, but sometimes I'm in a hurry and don't have time to soak them. So, I created this recipe. They are just as yummy.

1 tablespoon olive oil or to coat bottom of pan
4 slices of turkey bacon chopped
1 small white onion chopped or 1/2 of a larger one
2-15 oz. cans black beans drained and rinsed
2-15 oz. cans pinto beans drained and rinsed
10 oz. can Rotel (I use Mild, but you could make it spicier)
32 oz. carton of chicken broth
2 Tablespoons of Fiesta brand Pinto Bean Seasoning*

Coat bottom of large stockpot with olive oil. Add chopped turkey bacon. Stir and saute bacon until well cooked and almost crispy. Add onion and saute until just starting to carmelize. Add rinsed beans, entire can of Rotel (juice, too), and carton of chicken broth. You can add more water or chicken broth if you want to make it more soupy.

Since this is my recipe, I'm not sure on the number of servings. It does make a lot. We usually have leftovers.

*Note: If you are unable to find the Fiesta brand Pinto Bean Seasoning, you could season with Garlic, Onion Powder, Chili Pepper, and salt. I'm not sure on the measurements (I guess 1/2 to 1 tsp. each), you would have to season to your taste.

Variations: You can change up the beans. Sometimes I use small red beans with black beans, or whatever I have on hand. Or, if you want all black beans, you could do that, too.

Gaga's One Bowl Brownies

1 cup Oil (I use Canola)
6 TBS. Cocoa
4 eggs
2 cups Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 1/2 cups Flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup Nuts or Chocolate Chips (optional)

Stir everything together well in one bowl. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees in 9 x 13 pan.

My Mom aka Gaga has made these for years. They are always a hit and very easy.

Heavenly Delight

This is such a delicious dessert. I remember always having it at family reunions--my Aunt Barbara makes it. Some in our family call this dessert "Mountain Mama". I'm not sure why, though?

1 stick margarine
1 cup pecans
1 cup flour
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
13 oz. Cool Whip
4.5 oz. chocolate instant pudding
3.4 oz. vanilla instant pudding
2 1/2 cups milk
1 small choclate bar (grated) - optional

For Crust:
Combine margarine, flour, and chopped nuts. Mix well. Press into bottom of 13" x 9" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool.

Blend cream cheese and powdered sugar. Fold in 1 1/2 cups thawed Cool Whip. Spread over cooled crust. Set in icebox while making puddings. Mix instant puddings together with 2 1/2 cups of milk and beat until thick (about 2 minutes). Poor over cream cheese filling. Top with remaining whipped topping. Grate chocolate over top if desired. Chill in refrigerator.

Migas or Mexican Breakfast Casserole

Juan loves these Migas. I used to make them all the time, but it's not the healthiest.

2 TBS. Canola Oil
3 green onions finely chopped
1 serrano pepper finely chopped
10 corn tortillas torn or cut into 1-inch squares
6 beaten eggs
Salt and pepper

Heat oil over medium heat. Add tortillas. Stir the tortillas and cook until soft. Add onions and peppers. Stir to blend the onions and peppers evenly. Add beaten eggs and continue to stir until the eggs are cooked (as if they were scrambled). Add salt and pepper.

HEALTHIER VERSION: I have sauteed the tortillas in Pam cooking spray, or you could use less oil to cut the fat. It's not quite the same, but definately healthier. We've also used Egg Beaters.

Fresh Homemade Hot Sauce

2 Small Roma Tomatoes
3-4 Serrano or Jalapeno Peppers (Use more if you want it hotter.)
1/4 Cup Chopped Onions
1 clove Garlic
1/4 to 1/2 cup Cilantro Leaves (do not use stems)
1/2 can Tomato Sauce (small)
Salt - to taste

Cover tomatoes and peppers with water. Boil in a small saucepan for about 15 minutes. Remove the stems from the peppers. Put all the ingredients in a food processor, along with 1 cup of water used to boil peppers/tomatoes. Chop using food processor. I prefer not to use the blender because the sauce gets too foamy.