Making The Most Of Leftovers

Potato Pancakes

 When we were growing up, my mother made this special treat for us occasionally. Now that I'm the one in the kitchen I know that she was really using up the leftovers! But to this day, I love the potato pancakes made when you have mashed potatoes left from the day before. 

You saw my supper on Monday night—pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and asparagus. Tuesday night's supper was a leftover supper. (Forgive my lack of green on the plate. There was no asparagus left.) I froze one of the tenderloins for later. I made barbecue biscuits from the rest of the pork. And I made potato pancakes.

It had been quite a while since I made these, so my fingers were crossed. I smiled when I turned the pancake over in the pan and saw the lacy golden brown pattern. I knew I had done it right! Funny what things stick in your brain forever. I remember this was exactly how my mother's potato pancakes looked. 

Never in my life have I measured these ingredients. But this time I did pay attention to how I did it. The recipe amounts are pretty accurate for this night's cooking. But I wouldn't worry too much about following exactly what I did. It's not kind of recipe where "exact" matters much.

POTATO PANCAKES

2 cups leftover mashed potatoes

1 egg

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons minced onion

cooking oil

Combine all ingredients until well blended. Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet. Spoon potato mixture into pan. Spread out into patties. Cook these pancakes on medium heat. Brown on one side and carefully turn. Flatten with spatula and cook until brown on both side and pancakes hold together. Serve hot.

This made 8 pancakes.

My blog posts are a little out of order because we got distracted by the winter weather here. This morning we were looking for 8 degrees. But I woke up and it had only gotten down to 15. When you're expecting 8 degrees, 15 sounded warm. Now we are looking for the 8 degrees tonight.

Food For The Soul

Buttermilk Pancakes

I asked Daddy-O to cook supper about a week ago. He immediately said, "I can't cook!" But I know better. He is famous—with the grandchildren, at least— for his French toast, and he does a really good job with pancakes. There are nights when pancakes are just what the body...mostly the soul...needs.

And Shrove Tuesday, sometimes called Pancake Tuesday, is fast approaching. (It's the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.) So it's a good time to share a pancake recipe. Now, I always keep a box of "only needs water" pancake mix in the pantry. There are a couple of good brands we like. It's nice to know there is something that can be fixed quickly when you are tired. And if you've let yourself run out of eggs and milk and everything else, you can still feed people. Always a good thing.

But homemade pancakes are special. I've posted a pancake recipe here somewhere way back, but this one is made with buttermilk. I like that flavor. And we happened to have buttermilk in the fridge. So here goes.

BUTTERMILK PANCAKES

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon canola or vegetable oil, plus enough to lightly coat griddle

Combine flour and dry ingredients. (I like to mix with a whisk.) Make a well in the center.

In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and oil. Pour into well in the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth.

Preheat nonstick griddle or skillet and brush lightly with oil. Use a 1/4 cup measure to pour each pancake onto griddle. When the tops are covered with bubbles, turn and cook the other side. 

For us, this made 8 pancakes.

So whether you're in need of "brinner" (breakfast for dinner) one night or you plan to observe Shrove Tuesday, hang on to this recipe.

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes

I got home tonight without a supper plan and found my refrigerator nearly empty. (Crazy day...probably like yours.) We talked about going out somewhere but it's quite a drive to anywhere from our house. Then I remembered today is Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday. The Episcopal church in town is having a pancake supper tonight. So I thought that would be the obvious supper for us, too. It was quick and easy.

I didn't want to make my usual Bisquick version. Seemed like Shrove Tuesday called for more. And even with my groceries running low, I had milk (only the canned kind), eggs, butter and flour. Here is how I made our homemade pancakes. Not much more effort than a pancake mix. And SO much better. Goodbye, Bisquick! Goodbye, Aunt Jemima!

These are a little thinner than the restaurant kind. But they are tender and flavorful. Granddaddy was very happy with his supper.

Homemade Pancakes

1 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup evaporated milk*
1/2 cup water*
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

vegetable oil for the griddle (about 1 tablespoon)

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, butter, egg, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients to milk mixture; whisk until just moistened. (Do not overmix; a few small lumps are okay.)

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium to low. Lightly oil griddle, using a paper towel to spread the oil. Pour about 1/4 cup batter (for each pancake) onto griddle. Cook until surface of pancakes have some bubbles and a few have burst. Flip carefully with a spatula, and cook until browned on the underside. Remove to plate. Serve warm, with butter and maple syrup.

Serves 4 (or 2 hungry people.) Makes about 12 pancakes.

*Or use 1 cup milk in place of evaporated milk and water


You can put the cooked pancakes on a baking sheet or heatproof platter and keep them in a barely warm oven (200 degrees) and keep them warm until you've cooked all of them

Knit A Little Love

Pattern: Basic Vanilla Sock, cast on 60 stitches

Yarn:  Paton's Kroy Sock Stripe--Blue Ragg

Needle Size:  2

Knitting gifts for Christmas is always risky business because the calendar seems to move into warp speed once you pass Thanksgiving. All the plans that sounded reasonable weeks before change into "what was I thinking" mode. But I ALMOST finished these fun striped socks in time to put in Jessica's Christmas stocking. They were done a couple of days late, but in time for her to take back to Atlanta with her.

Pattern: Turn A Square

Yarn: Ella Rae Classic Solid & Noro Silk Garden

Needle Size:  5 & 7

This week, I have taken advantage of some slower days after the holiday rush to try a pattern that's been on my to-do list for a long time. Two more gifts checked off my list. Why did I think this was a hard pattern? This hat could easily be a one-afternoon project. I did each of them in a couple of shorter sessions. I still need another hat to finish my Christmas list. If I were really smart, I would start my planning and knitting for next Christmas right now! (Two hats from one skein of the solid and one skein of the Noro.)

Here's my knitting tip for the day—put your work on a tray instead of in a knitting bag to easily move it around in the house. It's great for keeping the little bits and pieces contained and it's easy to see everything at once. I might move from TV knitting to by-the-window knitting to fireplace knitting. I like the tray.

Yes, I know. You've seen this photo already. But it makes me smile to see Little Sister so intent on working along side Jessica and taking her "knitting" so seriously.

And it's not too late to share a recipe I made while everyone was here, is it? Pancakes for everyone is a sure winner. This is almost as easy as a bought mix and so much better. Mix your dry ingredients the night before and it's super quick. (I made a double batch for our full house.)

HOMEMADE PANCAKES

1 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
vegetable oil for the griddle (about 1 tablespoon)

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, butter, egg, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients to milk mixture; whisk until just moistened. (Do not overmix; a few small lumps are okay.)

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium to low. Lightly oil griddle, using a paper towel to spread the oil. Pour about 1/4 cup batter (for each pancake) onto griddle. Cook until surface of pancakes have some bubbles and a few have burst. Flip carefully with a spatula, and cook until browned on the underside. Remove to plate. Serve warm, with butter and maple syrup.
Serves 4 (or 2 very hungry people.) Makes about 12 pancakes.

Presidents Day = Grandkids Weekend

We were in full grandparent mode this weekend. The littles had a long weekend off for Presidents' Day. They might have been more excited that it also included Valentine's Day. They arrived at the farm loaded with Valentines from schoolmates and lots of candy. And a dozen "Valentine doughnuts" for Daddy-O.

I have made heart shaped pancakes many times over the years. I did it by making heart shaped aluminum foil "collars." (Fold foil over several times to make long strip about 1 inch wide. Join the ends by folding together. Pinch tight to hold. Shape into hearts.) But this year I happened up on silicone heart shaped pancake makers at Target. So much easier! 

As I was making pancakes I thought about my own mother who never owned a griddle or a wire whisk. But she was an excellent pancake maker. My favorite was when she would fry bacon first and then pour batter over a strip of bacon. 

The littles received a special treat from a friend of mine. She had made them Valentines that included s'mores kits. After the candy and doughnuts and the pancakes with syrup, there was still room for "s'more!"

For little girls who live in a neighborhood with a small yards, it's always fun for them to come here where there is so much space for outside play. 

Bicycles, scooters, roller skates, a wagon, a swing. And plenty of space to ride and run.

It doesn't matter what else goes on around here, every day the cows are fed.

And sometimes Daddy-O has helpers. Something for them to tell their friends about when they get back to school.

There was even a little driveway fishing. Baby Girl has gotten pretty good at casting her line. She'll be ready when she gets a chance to fish off the pier at the lake this summer.

And when they were packing up to head home today, Baby Girl asked for a snack to take with her. Bless these girls. And the mommy who has taught them to eat well. The youngest one was happy to take a bag of carrot sticks home with her. How good to choose healthy snacks to balance the Valentine treats!

How Sweet It Is

Mommy and family arrived home in the wee hours of the morning. We survived a few days here without them and did okay. It helped that by Saturday, the adult/toddler ratio was 3 to 1. Saturday night, (night #3) getting Baby Girl to bed went much smoother than the first two nights.

I got an entire night's sleep Saturday night, so to celebrate I made pancakes for Sunday breakfast! Daddy-O was happy. Jessica (who had come for the day on Saturday then took pity on us and spent the night) was happy. Baby Girl was REALLY happy. Because after her plain pancake, Daddy-O got involved and poured a little syrup for her.

They don't do that when Mommy is in charge. It's probably for the best that Daddy-O doesn't see them very often. I fully agree that teaching them good food habits is important. But Daddy-O made a sneak attack with the maple syrup. And the look on her face was priceless.

PANCAKES for EVERYDAY
              adapted from Mark Bittman's NYTimes recipe

2 cups all- purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 to 2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted & cooled

Mix together dry ingredients in a bowl.  In another bowl, beat eggs into 1-1/2 cups milk. Stir in melted butter. Stir milk mixture into dry ingredients, stirring only enough to moisten flour. A few lumps are okay. If your batter is too thick, add a little more milk.

Use 1/4 measuring cup to ladle batter onto a medium hot greased griddle or skillet. When you see bubbles around the edge and the bottoms are brown, flip and cook the other side.

Makes about 16 4-inch pancakes


This is an easy recipe, but there is measuring involved. I think it would be nice to mix up a couple of batches of the dry ingredients and pack and label it. Then it would be really easy to make these. These really are better than using a mix (which I also use.)

Less Doing

These are words I am taking to heart this year. The days left until Christmas are limited. My energy is limited after a round of bronchitis. But the spirit IS here. Our family starts arriving this weekend. I am trying to think of easy recipes for the few meals when we will all be together. 

How about you? Are you a big decorator? Do you love shopping and wrapping gifts? Do you bake elaborate recipes? If so, go for it. But I'm aiming for simple and low-key this year.

With lots of extra people here for a few days, here are a few easy recipes that I might (or might not) make. We will see how it goes the next few days go. 

MAKE AHEAD RECIPES

✔Ham Delights - Delicious little ham & cheese or turkey & cheese sandwiches for a party or for supper. Put them in the freezer and you'll only have to pop them in the oven when you need them. (These are already done!)

✔Damn Good Chili - I usually make a double batch, sometimes triple and put it in the freezer in quart containers. Only takes minutes to thaw and serve.

QUICK & EASY

Old-Fashioned Potato Soup - Not the thick, loaded kind you get at restaurants. Just a simple delicious soup that my folks love.

Baked Bowties w/ Tomato & Mozzarella - One of our favorite pasta dishes. Creamy and flavorful. You can make it early in the day and have it ready to bake at dinner time. I have also frozen this after I've baked it. Just thaw in the refrigerator before heating.  

Pasta Bake - It's not unusual to have "no red meat" eaters or vegetarians in the family nowadays. This is good enough to feed the meat eaters and non-meat eaters alike. One dish feeds them all. Make it early in the day. Bake it later.

BEVERAGES

Blushing Apple Juleps - Delicious and it's so pretty.

Hot Cocoa - Perfect for sipping while you watch the Christmas tree lights twinkle.

BREADS

Sweet Potato Biscuits - Make them ahead and freeze them. Just bake when you're ready.

✔Corny Cornbread - Goes well with the chili or the potato soup.

BREAKFAST

Homemake Pancakes - If you measure you dry ingredients the night before, it doesn't take long to mix the batter. You might need to double or triple the recipe if you are feeding a big family.

Apple-Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal - Mix this the night before and refrigerate. All that's left to do the next morning is to bake it. This is so very good. 

By Thursday, I'll have a meal plan and a grocery list. That doesn't mean that I will stick to it exactly, but the better prepared I am, the more I can relax and enjoy the company.

July Lake Life

I'm so tired today. But this is a good tired. We got home last night from a week at the lake with family. It was such a good week. You know having that many people in a small space for a week could have gone all Chevy Chase on us. (You've watched those National Lampoon movies, haven't you?) But it was all good. The weather was unbelievable. Here in the Deep South, July is typically hot and muggy. Miserably so. This week, though, was like magic, with low humidity and moderate temps. If you could order weather from Amazon, this would have been the week I would have added to my shopping cart!

Here's what our week included:

Swimming. Giant Jenga. Skiing. Boating. Cornhole. Scrabble. Kayaks. Farkle. Hammock. Porch sitting. Reading. Puzzles. Wading pool. 4th of July family dinner. Lots of cousins. Spot-It! Bedknobs & Broomsticks movie. Fishing. Coloring books. Morning coffee on the porch.

Peach Ice Cream. Barbecue. Low Country Boil. Hushpuppies. Lemon Pound Cake. Macaroni & Cheese. Quesadillas. Blueberry Pie. Peach Cobbler. Food Truck Pizza. Baked Rotini. Burgers. Blueberry Pancakes. S'mores. Bean Salad. Homemade Lemonade. Fresh Cucumbers. Shrimp Dip. Snow Cones. Boiled Peanuts.

Here. You can see for yourself. And don't miss the recipe at the very bottom!

The cooking was shared, so no one was burdened. I headed to the store on Tuesday to find something for dinner. No particular plan in mind. Which worked out well because I tried the food sample that day. And bought everything needed for the burgers they were demonstrating. Really easy to put together and totally delicious. It's the Thousand Island dressing that makes it special.

It's from Publix Simple Apron recipes. Because it calls for pre-made burger patties, precooked bacon and bought pimento cheese and Thousand Island dressing, it's very easy. It's really more assembly directions than a recipe. We will do this again for sure. Daddy-O grilled the burgers. Big Sister microwaved the bacon (according to package directions) and Jecca sliced the tomato and onion. Many hands make light work.

PIMENTO CHEESE BURGERS

4 ground beef patties, about 1-1/2 lb (we used pre-made ground chuck patties)
1/2 cup pimiento cheese, divided
8 slices precooked bacon
4 hamburger buns
1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
1 small onion, thinly sliced
4 lettuce leaves
8 teaspoons Thousand Island dressing, divided

Preheat grill (or grill pan). Place burgers on grill; cook 4–5 minutes on each side and until meat is 160°F. Top each burger with 2 tablespoons cheese spread during last minute of grill time, then close lid (or cover) for cheese to melt.

Microwave bacon following package instructions. Slice tomato and onion. Separate lettuce leaves.

Spread 2 teaspoons dressing over top halves of buns. Assemble each burger in this order: bottom half of bun, beef patty, bacon, tomato, lettuce, onion, and top half of bun and serve.

Makes 4