Perfect thin pancakes

When Bryan and I were living in the city our favorite breakfast spot was a place called "Salt and Pepper Diner."

When the Chicago Cubs won the world series and we wanted to go visit, we decided to pop in for a quick breakfast. BUT, to our displeasure, we found out that it had closed down permanently! We were so heartbroken. They had the best breakfast food and the most amazing pancakes EVER. They were thin and mouth watering. If anybody knows the exact recipe or knows a cook from there...PLEASE end my misery.

I found this recipe at: http://everydaysisters.blogspot.com/2015/02/perfect-thin-pancakes.html?spref=pi

It's delicious and satisfying, but it still does not compare to the diner's pancakes. I will keep trying new recipes until I find it!

Ingredients:

2 eggs
1 c. milk
3 tbs. melted butter
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 c. flour
1 tbs. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt

Instructions:
In a bowl, beat the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla.
Add the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
Mix with a whisk until smooth.
Add butter to a hot skillet.
Pour pancake batter into wanted size.
Flip when the edges start to set.
Top with butter, syrup, and/or powdered sugar!
Enjoy/cry because they are not Salt and Pepper's pancakes.

Wait until the batter sets to flip!

Shape doesn't matter!

Official taste tester of all recipes

Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

This classic American family loves meatloaf and many other comfort foods. We love chili, hot dogs, burgers, pasta, and all things tasty bad for you. I love this recipe because its a healthier twist on a classic meatloaf recipe. Instead of ground beef you use ground chicken. And when its topped with sauce and cheese-you can't go wrong!

Here is where I found the recipe:http://www.whatscookinchicago.com/2010/06/chicken-parmesan-meatloaf.html

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground chicken
1/4 c. bread crumbs
1 egg
1/2 tsp basil, oregano, salt, pepper
1 garlic clove minced
1 small onion chopped (we skip this part)
1/2 c. parmesan cheese
1/2 c. pasta sauce
1/2 c. shredded mozzarella or Italian cheese combo

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350
In a large bowl combine the chicken, bread crumbs, spices, egg, parmesan cheese, garlic, and onion
Place into a greased loaf pan
Top with pasta sauce

Bake for 40 minutes
Add shredded mozzarella
Warm in oven until cheese is melted

Serve with your favorite sides: buttery crescent rolls and salad drenched in ranch dressing. Or you know...healthier options like steamed vegetables and tears.

It's all about balance. I did my Jane Fonda aerobics. Don't be a judgey asshole.

Traveling with a toddler

Traveling with a toddler is a slice of hell situation you need to be prepared for. Your expectations need to be very low and the snacks/activities need to be constantly flowing.

We just got back from a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada and we had a blast! We went to visit my mother in law and John's Grammy.

A few of my must haves for airplane travel with a toddler are:

1) Melissa and Doug Water Wow- These are amazing for travel and/or restaurant visits. They occupy John for quite some time and are mess free.

2) Melissa and Doug reusable sticker pad- This was a new activity for John and he enjoyed it the whole trip. He would stick the stickers on the airplane window and then when we got desperate we played peek-a-boo with them in the barf bag. Hey, whatever works.

3) Coloring books, crayons, and stickers. We stock up on these from the Target dollar spot. Stickers are a lifesaver.
4) Snacks, Snacks, and more snacks. In the beginning we stick to healthy snacks so he will hopefully fall asleep. Raisins, applesauce pouches, crackers, etc. Then towards the end when John didn't take a nap and we're desperate for him to shut up sit still we break out the fruit snacks, dum dums, and leftover Halloween candy.
5) iPad. Fill it up with new cartoons and games. It will save your life.
6) And lastly...your child's blankie/lovie. If they are adaptable sleepers then this will help them sleep on the plane. If a nap doesn't happen (John did not nap for either flight) then don't stress about it. Keep them occupied with snacks and activities! My husband and I would switch seats when we needed a change of pace. I know it's easier said than done. But on the bright side- you'll never see those people again!

We had a great time in Las Vegas and we look forward to our next trip!

Fry Bread

Recently I started singing John a new song before he goes to bed. I butcher sing "Pennies from Heaven." It was my Grandma Lina's favorite song to sing to us.

Oh every time it rains

It rains pennies from heaven

Don't you know each cloud contains

Pennies from heaven

You'll find your fortune

Fallin' all over town

Be sure that your umbrella is upside down

Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers

It you want the things you love

You must have showers

So when you hear it thunder

Don't run under a tree

There'll be pennies from heaven

For you and me

Because of that, I've been thinking about her a lot lately and missing her and her amazing cooking! My fondest memories of her are her standing in a kitchen cooking and forcing us to clear our plates! She used to make fried bread for every meal and I thought I would give it a shot. This isn't her recipe, but one I found online. Unfortunately for me, she didn't have recipes (due to her expertise) to follow, and so I have to experiment until I get it right! 

I found the recipe here:http://simplygloria.com/homemade-fry-bread/

Ingredients:
1 tbs yeast
1 1/2 tbs sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 2/3 c. whole milk
1 1/2 tbs butter shortening
1 egg beaten
4 1/2 c. bread flour
1 1/2 c. vegetable oil (or your preferred oil)

Instructions:
Combine sugar, salt, and yeast

Heat milk and shortening in microwave 2 minutes and mix
Add sugar, salt, and yeast to the milk/butter mixture
Add beaten egg
Add 1 1/2 c. of flour
Stir with a wooden spoon
Slowly add the rest of the flour ( I only used 4 c. total)
Once combined, shape into a ball and place in a greased bowl
Cover the bowl with saran wrap and let it rise until double its size

I left it on the counter for a little over an hour
Heat oil in skillet
Pull pieces of dough (about hand size) and add to the hot oil

Fry for about 1 minute each side
Place on paper towels to soak up the oil and then ENJOY!

Top with butter, jelly, or powdered sugar. Any topping is delicious on them!

Fried goodness

My taste tester enjoyed them!

Then he was a jerk customer and demanded more butter

Happy Halloween

I hope everyone had a fun and safe sugar filled Halloween! I also hope you are not a lame household that gives out healthy options. If you are, then we cannot be friends anymore.

Us minions had a great time trick or treating, eating lots of candy, and enjoying some jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers for dinner!

East stuffed peppers recipe

Ingredients:
Bell peppers
Ground Beef
Rice
Cheese
Salt, Pepper, Oregano

Instructions:
- Pit the peppers
-Cook the meat and rice
-Combine meat, rice, cheese, and spices
-Fill the peppers with mixture
-Bake at 350 for 30 minutes

Enjoy the Halloween hangover! It used to involve a splitting headache due to booze intake. It now involves a sugar hangover and an angry toddler yelling "CANDY!" at you all day long.

I'm very disappointed in the amount of illegal drugs hidden in John's candy stash this year.