Bacon and Cheese Pannekoek

One of the most delicious foods I had the pleasure of trying in Holland was a pannekoek, a Dutch pancake. These pancakes are far different from American ones. They are not fluffy, but instead are thin like crepes. Locals fill them with fruits, meats, cheeses, or just top them with powdered sugar.

I tried the bacon and cheese pannekoek and it was AMAZING! If it were any bigger, I don’t think they’d have a plate big enough for it! The batter has a unique and deliciously fresh flavor, while the fillings were cooked perfectly. There was a perfect ratio of pannekoek to bacon and to cheese.

I finished off dinner with a traditional favorite…sprinkled with powdered sugar! There is something so wonderful about a food like this. It’s so versatile and, unlike most foods you eat out, doesn’t make you feel sick afterwards. I ate a LOT of food here, and I felt full and happy. No regrets!

So if you are ever in Holland…I would strongly suggest ordering up some pannekoeken! You won’t regret your decision.

Portuguese Sweets

Portugal is famous for a little custard tart called nata. Here is a box containing a nata as well as the traditional pastry of Sintra and two other delicious goodies!

Dutch Apple Pie and Hot Chocolate

I don’t have a recipe for this, but I wanted to share some of the delicious foods I consumed on my trip to Europe. First up, Dutch apple pie! And let me tell you, it was delicious!!!!

Mini Madeleines

For this recipe I used a madeleine mold for 1 inch long cookies. The recipe yielded 60 1-inch madeleines.

Ingredients:

2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In small microwave-safe bowl, melt butter. Set aside to cool. Grease and flour madeleine pan.
In a medium bowl, beat eggs and vanilla until frothy. Gradually beat in confectioner’s sugar until batter is thick and satiny.
Sift together flour and baking powder. Sift 1/3 the flour mixture into the egg batter. Gently fold in. Repeat for remaining 2/3 of flour.
Fold in melted and cooled butter. Spoon batter into prepared molds about 3/4 full.
Bake in preheated oven until edges are golden brown and cookies spring back when touched, about 10 minutes.
Immediately remove from mold and place on cooling rack. Once cooled, dip the cookies in melted chocolate and let set. Store in airtight container and enjoy!

Hot Chocolate Hearts

Looking for a fun holiday recipe to make with the kids? Or maybe you’re tired of buying those hot cocoa packets. Either way, these are the recipe for you!

Ingredients:
9 ounces quality milk or dark chocolate
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
*milk

Additional Supplies:

quart size Ziploc bag
parchment paper
baking sheet

Instructions:

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Break chocolate into small chunks and melt, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Stir until smooth.
Add confectioner’s sugar and cocoa powder. Mix Well. The chocolate mixture should resemble the consistency of frosting.
*If the consistency is too dry, add small amounts of milk until it looks more like frosting.
Spoon chocolate into Ziploc bag. Twist the top to form a cone with one of the bottom corners of the bag (like a piping bag). Cut off the tip of that corner.
Pipe chocolate onto parchment lined sheet in heart shapes (1-2 inches across) or other shapes. Let harden.

Store in airtight container. When ready for use, place 2-5 (depending on your chocolatey preference) hot cocoa hearts in a mug of hot milk. Stir until chocolate dissolves into milk. Wa-la!

Twice Baked Potatoes

I LOVE POTATOES

Ingredients:

4 large unpeeled Idaho or Russet potatoes
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
4-5 strips bacon

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Wash potatoes and stab several times with a fork. Place potatoes in preheated oven and bake 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Remove potatoes from oven. When cool enough to hold, cut potatoes lengthwise and scoop filling (potato) into large mixing bowl. Make sure you do not scoop too close to the skin so skin still holds shape.
Mash butter into potatoes. Meanwhile, cook bacon according to package directions. Chop into small pieces.
Add milk, sour cream, and salt. Mix until incorporated. Stir in bacon and cheese.
Scoop filling into potato skin “shells.” If desired, sprinkle tops with more cheese.
Place potatoes on baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until hot.

*If you wish to freeze the potatoes, wrap in foil and place in a Ziploc bag. Freeze before the second bake.

Almond Biscotti

One of my favorite things to bake is biscotti because I can experiment with all different flavors! This is one of the more simple kinds that I’ve made and it is simply delicious. I made these for my boyfriend on Valentine’s Day!

Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips (optional: for chocolate drizzle)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees (Farenheit). Butter baking sheet and coat with flour.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and extracts.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually stir into butter mixture until blended.
Divide dough into two pieces. Form each half into a log 1 foot long and about 1/2 inch high and place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. The top should be a light golden brown. Let cool on rack for 5 minutes.
Slice each loaf with a serrated knife into 1/2 inch slices. Lay the cookies cut-side down on the baking sheet.
Bake for 5 minutes on one side. Carefully flip cookies over. Bake for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and place cookies on cooling rack.
Meanwhile, melt chocolate (whichever method you choose) and spoon into small Ziploc bag. Cut the tip off one corner of the bag and pipe chocolate in zig-zag patterns along the cookies. Let harden.
Eat and enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Banana Walnut Muffins

Do your bananas always get ripe too fast? Tired of that plain old banana bread? These are the perfect recipe for you! Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert!

Ingredients:

1 stick butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2-3 ripe bananas
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons light brown sugar
3/4 – 1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 – 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (Farenheit). Place paper or silicone liners in cupcake tin.

In large mixing bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. In small bowl, mash peeled bananas. Add eggs and stir together.

Add egg and banana mixture to butter and sugar mixture. Mix well. Gradually add flour and baking soda, stirring until well blended.

Stir in brown sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin, about 3/4 full. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Muffins are done when a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. They will be a lovely golden brown.

Remove muffins from oven. Immediately transfer muffins to cooling rack. Cool at least 5 minutes before enjoying!

Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies

Ingredients:
1 & 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar, loosely packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cut into pieces
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips (your choice on variety)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In large bowl, beat together butter ad sugar until fluffy. Beat in cream cheese until combined. Some chunks are okay. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla.
Stir in dry ingredients and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Refrigerate dough for 10 minutes or until it’s less sticky.
Roll dough into 1 inch balls ad place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10-13 minutes, or until cookies are set. Transfer to cooling rack. Cool completely before storing.

*The photo makes these cookies appear quite dry. They are actually quite soft and moist with a wonderful brownie-like texture!

Easy Pizza Dough

Ingredients:
1 package dry yeast
1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees Fahrenheit)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions:
In medium bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in remaining ingredients. Beat vigorously (about 20 strokes). Let rest 5 minutes.

*To Make Pizza*
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
With floured fingers, pat dough into two 11 inch ungreased pizza pans OR into one standard cookie sheet pan. Dough may tear, but small holes are okay (the dough will rise and fill these holes when it bakes).
Spread dough with your favorite sauce and toppings.
Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.

I mixed ground beef in my sauce before topping with cheese. It was delicious! Try using peppers, pepperoni, bacon, pineapple, or other tasty toppings!