Always Read the Reviews!

This morning, since I was up early, I went to the grocery store to get some needed ingredients to make some "from scratch" pancakes for my sweetie!  I found a recipe, but found out after the batter was cooked and served that one ingredient was overpowering...the baking powder.  It left a bitter aftertaste that was not pleasant.  So, I read the reviews of the recipe I used, and voila! I found that others had the same problem and lowered the amount by half.  So now I know for next time, but they look good right?

Looks are deceiving!

So, I have included the CORRECTED recipe for you.  I hope that you enjoy the new and improved pancakes better than I did on the 1st try!

Makes 4 pancakes (increase accordingly)

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions  

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in milk, egg and oil. Mix until smooth. 

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot. 


Let me know how yours turn out!!!

1, 2, 3...Easy As Can Be!

Ever think, I'm in the mood to bake, but don't have what I need?  Ever want a quick snack of something sweet but not have anything on hand?  Well, if you have 1 egg, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of peanut butter, you have THESE:

Peanut Butter Cookies

The recipe is as follows:

Mix together 1 cup sugar with 1 egg, then add 1 cup peanut butter.  mix until smooth. This recipe makes 12 cookies.  Roll 1 inch balls and place on greased cookie sheet.  Take fork and press each cookie.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, let cool, and ENJOY!

Let me know how yours turns out!

And it was YUMMY!!!

Earlier this week, Daren and I went out to eat at T.G.I.Friday's ("our" place) where I had their Parmesan-Crusted Chicken.  It was DE-LISH!  So, I just HAD to try and make it at home.  Needless to say, SUCCESS!!!  I don't have a picture of mine because it was eaten up before I thought to take one, but I will include a picture that it looked like when it came out of the oven!  I figured I would share this marvelous recipe with you!  Let me know how yours turns out!

Ingredients   
2 Servings 
Prep: 15 Minutes
Bake: 20 Minutes

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
1 cup (or more) of Caesar Dressing
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each) 
1 tablespoon olive oil 
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions

In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, salt and garlic powder. In another bowl, put in the Caesar dressing. Place the Parmesan cheese in a third bowl. Coat chicken in flour mixture, then dip in Caesar and roll in cheese.

In a skillet, brown chicken in oil on both sides. Transfer to a shallow 1-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray; drizzle with lemon juice. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until juices run clear.

The hardest part was frying the chicken after dipping it due to the cheese running, but in the end it is worth it!  Here is a picture from T.G.I.Friday's menu of what mine kinda looked like after it was done:

Kudos

 

 

 The juices that are on the bottom of the dish when you get it out of the oven, please pour on top of chicken to add yumminess! 

Bon Appetite!





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Happy Easter!

It is 7:00 AM and it is a GLORIOUS morning.  The sun is pouring in through the windows and reflecting off of the dew.  I feel energized after waking up around 6:30 and felt a need to post.  There is no set reason, but I hope my energy passes off to someone needing a smile. 

Easter is spent today with Daren's sister and her family.  With their two kids (both under 12), it should be interesting to see the reactions to the masses of candy that will soon present itself.  After receiving a text message yesterday requesting my favorite candy, I'm quite excited to see what I soon get to devour!  Pictures will be definite, although I forgot to bring my camera.  I will be sure to snap some bits and pieces of my day to share with you all. 

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Easter!  Enjoy the day, eat up, and live life to the fullest!

My Dirty Little Secret

Kudos

Up early this morning, and I have a cleaning itch.  But what do my eyes see first...the kitchen.  I made a realization this morning.  Is it just me, or is the kitchen the central place of the home?  I found that nothing else in the house can become clean UNTIL the kitchen is clean first.  I mean, it is where refreshments are kept, cleaning supplies hide, and other odds and ends that you need to clean the rest of the home.  I tried the living room, but found myself continuing to return to the kitchen for something.  It seems as though the kitchen HAS to be clean FIRST before any other room, otherwise, everything just STOPS.

Does anyone else find this interesting, or am I the only one?

Turnaround

I know that I'm late on Madness Monday, but I think due to the current situation that I find myself in, I will be utilizing this blog as a way to share my journey along this path that my life has decided to follow.  It is scary to be told you have cancer...especially when you are only 23 years old.  The experience that I am about to have will be one of pain, laughter, love, tears, and support.  My hope is that anyone that is going through scary situations in their life, that they will find comfort and support here.

Yesterday confirmed the day I will receive what scares me the most...chemotherapy.  Two weeks ago, I received my first cycle of the drugs.  I did not enjoy the upset stomach, the trips to the bathroom every hour, and the restlessness and sleeplessness of the days that went by.  Yes, I am feeling good now, but it has been over a week and I will look forward to the time I feel good again (in approximately another two weeks).  I receive my next cycle this Thursday.  They also want to put a port in so that my veins don't "blow" from all of the treatments.  They want to do that today, but I have yet to receive a phone call, so I might have to vein it out until next week when the port will become a definite appointment. 

I miss Jersey, but it is good to be home in NC around family and friends as I travel this unexpected road.  It is very difficult, though, to be away from my boyfriend who is my lifeline and support.  I love the fact that he has been so supportive throughout all of this and I can not wait to see him again and be wrapped inside of his arms.  I love and miss him with all of my heart.

If you, my readers, wish for me to share anything specific or if there is a fun topic that you wish for me to blog on, please comment!  I am still developing my blog and will utilize any and all advice!

My Apologies

I'm sorry for my disappearing act, but I promise that I'm back.  Unfortunately, I was hospitalized for two weeks in order to undergo tests to find out if I, at 23 years old, have cancer.  I do.  It was diagnosed on April 4, 2011 as Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  It is a scary thing to be told this type of news, but strangely enough, I have taken it pretty well. 

I have already begun chemo, and have come down to North Carolina to be near family and friends through this.  I will still blog and try to keep up, but forgive me if I tend to lax once in a while. 

If any of you have ideas for a Madness Monday post tomorrow, please comment!  I would love to hear your ideas!