French Toast Dumplings…Simmered in Maple Syrup!

I saw this the recipe the other day and thought "I have Grands Biscuits and I love cinnamon. I have to try this. And I will try it after this post ;-). I like easy and I like a short list of everyday ingredients and I love sweets. So this was a no brainer. Here is the link where I got the recipe Oh Bite It just in case you want to go there. Enjoy!


What you’ll need:

1 can of Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers Biscuits

1.5 cups Maple Syrup..good quality if possible

1/3 cup Brown Sugar

1 tsp. Nutmeg

1 cup cinnamon Sugar (1 part Sugar to 1/2 part Cinnamon)

A dollop of Mascarpone..optional

Directions:

In a medium sauce pot add the Maple Syrup and the Brown Sugar..bring up to a simmer

Cut each raw biscuit into fourths and roll each section into a ball

Gently add them into the simmering syrup..leaving room for them to puff up..they get puffy!

Cover them and let them simmer until they are doubled in size..turning them once, to coat each side of the dumplings evenly in the thick and amazing reduced syrup sauce!

Let them cool. While they’re cooling, mix up the cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg in a bowl..set aside.

Gently toss each dumpling in the Cinnamon/Sugar/Nutmeg mix..for that French Toast crunch!

Pile a few dumplings into your bowl and top them with a scoop of Mascarpone or Sour Cream & a nice drizzle of the reduced Maple Syrup Crack Sauce!

O my!! Take a bite of the most soft, tender and incredible version of French Toast you’ll ever have! ~Enjoy!

I'm Not Necessarily a Ravens' Fan... but,

My daughter told me about the following article and I just had to post it. Ray Rice is a Ravens football player. There is a family in Littlestown, PA that had their house burned down last year. It was the house that they built. They lost everything including their pets. It was before Christmas and is so sad, they even lost the Christmas presents. Ray Rice stepped up to the plate and helped their school give to the family. I am a Steelers' fan and their is a lot of competition between the Steelers and the Ravens, but I must say...that I think I am becoming a Ray Rice Fan! Check out the video and the article below. Guess who I will be rooting for in the Superbowl?

This is from the local news station Fox 43:
Ravens mania is taking over the Annunciation BVM School in McSherrystown. But this isn’t your typical purple Friday. Although he couldn’t be there, Ray Rice sure knows how to throw a party.

8-year old Giana Hoddinott from Littlestown is a big Ravens fan. Her family lost their home, several pets, all of their possessions and Christmas presents in a fire two weeks after Christmas. “It’s just been absolutely devastating. That is a home that we built with our own hands and sorrow. Then on top of it, the community the school just came and rallied and that’s honestly what’s been getting us through,” says Giana’s mother Angela Hoddinott.

Her classmates surprised her with presents and also donated $1 to be able to dress in Purple Ravens gear at school on Fridays. ”They wanted to start doing purple Fridays in honor of me and my family, so that was huge. Because they’re not all Ravens fans in that auditorium right now. That right there is huge because they put their rivalries aside for us,” says Angela Hoddinott.

“I really miss our pets and I miss some of the things that my family got me. I miss my house and my room, and my clothes,” says Giana Hoddinott. “I’m really excited because I like how they are helping our family.”

Ravens Running Back Ray Rice caught onto the story and decided to throw the kids a Purple Friday Pizza Party. “It was shared with Ray Rice on his Facebook page. His publicist came out and contacted us immediately and he was touched by two things. He was touched by the kids kindness and the school because he is all about anti bullying, and about the pets, the loss of the pets,” says Angela Hoddinott.

The party included trivia, prizes, pizza and over 300 team shirts, one for every student. Ledo’s Pizza supplied 80 pizzas. ”He has no idea how he has made my family and the community feel and I just want to thank him very much,” says Angela Hoddinott.

Read more: http://fox43.com/2013/02/01/ravens-ray-rice-throws-party-for-local-girl/#ixzz2JlCiFiTY
Read more at http://fox43.com/2013/02/01/ravens-ray-rice-throws-party-for-local-girl/#DEuOdwHztXoYlfSu.99

Paying It Forward

I have been following the Pay It Forward page on Facebook and have found the stories so inspiring! Paying It Forward (PIF) sends uplifting true stories everyday and some of those beautiful says with great backgrounds. The stories are a Representative of the people who paid it forward and the people who have received the PIF. You don't have to be rich to do this. Look at this page and you will be uplifted each day and you will also be more aware of the ways that you can "pay it forward". The page is Pay It Forward Face Book Page or go to the their web site Pay It Forward Web Page . Here is just one of many examples:

McMuffin Casserole Recipe - Oh so good!

Yes! Another recipe that I saw on Pinterest (it took me to the Plain Chicken 
site) and thought I would try it. It looked easy and it looked good. Well,
it turned out delicious!! It is a light casserole.

It has all the flavors of an Egg McMuffin in casserole form. This casserole
is assembled in minutes the night before and baked when you are ready.

I used Thomas' English Muffins.

McMuffin Casserole
serves 4
(Printable Recipe)

4 English muffins, split (Bays)
6 oz Canadian bacon
1 cup cheddar cheese
4 eggs
1 1/4 cup milk
salt
pepper

Grease an 8-inch square baking dish. Cube English muffins and chop 

Canadian bacon. Add half of the cubed English muffins in a single layer. 

Top with half of the Canadian bacon and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Layer 
the remaining English muffins and Canadian bacon and 1/2 cup more
cheese.

Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until 

combined. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the casserole. Wrap the 
baking dish with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 
1 hour, or up to 1 day.

Then take the plastic wrap off of the baking dish and bake it at 325 
degrees for 45 to 50 minutes.

Spicy Sausage Skillet

I saw this on Pinterest (it took me to the Plain Chicken site) and thought I would like to try it. It looked easy and it looked good. Well, it turned out great!! It was a little spicy but spicy is suppose to rev up your metabolism - right? So that is good!

It's done in a skillet - no transferring to another pot or bowl (less to wash). I did modify it a little. I used 1 cup of heavy cream because I might have put too much penne pasta in and the pasta seemed to absorb the cream. I could only find the Rotel tomatoes with chili peppers. So I used them. I also used one of those frying pans that everything slips out of (advertised on TV) and it can be placed in the oven. Anyway, my husband and I just loved it! I will be making this dish again!



Spicy Sausage Skillet
adapted from KevinAndAmanda.com
(Printable Recipe)

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into 1/4" slices
2 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
1 tsp garlic powder
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 oz campanelle pasta (or penne)
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions

Heat olive oil over medium hight heat in a 12-inch oven safe skillet until hot. Add sausage and cook until lightly browned.

Add onion flakes, garlic powder, broth, tomatoes, cream, pasta, salt and pepper and stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover skillet. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until pasta is tender.

Remove skillet from heat and stir in half of the cheese. Top with remaining cheese and sprinkle with scallions. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.

New Grandbaby’s Blanket

This is a baby blanket I made for our new granddaughter, Norah. She was born on 1/14 and is just a cutie!

My wishes for 2013

These wishes are the first that came to my mind. Please add any of your wishes and maybe, some of them will come true...

DIY Embroidery Pattern Printing

Hi Everyone! I was on Pinterest and saw this. First thought was I have to share this. What a great idea! When I opened it up, I saw it was from the Homegrown Hospitality Blog . Check it out.

DIY Embroidery Pattern Printing

Thank you for all of your comments and compliments on my "scrapple" style stitching. I love to stitch and while I will be the first to admit that I do not "follow" any rules or techniques on the correct way to stitch I will also say that I LOVE the way it is coming out with all of the textures and stitches and I even added some pink in last night !!?!!whhhaatttt???, I know!



Anyways, I know you can Google "how to transfer an embroidery pattern" but this is how I do it :

Supplies
Muslin
Freezer Paper
Scissors
Iron
Printer

1. Measure and cut a piece of freezer paper to measure 8 1/2" x 11 (just trace a piece of computer paper onto the freezer paper)




2. Place the freezer paper SHINY SIDE OF PAPER DOWN and iron the freezer paper onto the muslin. It will pucker a little bit. MAKE SURE THAT ALL EDGES ARE IRONED DOWN COMPLETELY. Trim to measure the 8 1/2" x 11



3. Place your piece into your printer the way you would typically place paper in and print out your image.



4. Remove the freezer paper



5. Attach an embroidery hoop



6. Stitch away!..be careful..it is addicting, well and even a bit harmful if you poke yourself as much as I do!

Ingredient Substitutions

Just in case you are stuck at home because of no electricity, storms, blizzards, or even your car in the shop, these ingredient substitutions are just great to know! All of these were copied from the blog One Good Thing by Jillee. She provides so much good information! And she does it with a little humor, too. I just thought this would be a great way to share her info with my followers plus everything is in one list!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ingredient Substitutions

Allspice - 1 teaspoon1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Apple cider vinegar (1/4 cup) 1/4 cup white vinegar
Apple pie spice 1 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon cardamom

Balsamic vinegar (1 Tbs.)
1 Tbs. sherry or cider vinegarBeer (1 cup)
1 cup non-alcoholic beer, beef broth, or apple cider

Baking mix (1 cup)1 cup pancake mix OR 1 cup Easy Biscuit Mixture


Baking powder 1 teaspoon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar OR 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 cup buttermilk (decrease liquid in recipe by 1/2 cup)


Baking SodaThere is no substitute for baking soda

Barbecue Sauce
Substitute 1 cup ketchup and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon liquid smoke seasoning for 1 cup barbecue sauce.

Bread crumbs 1 cup
1 cup cracker crumbs OR 1 cup matzo meal OR 1 cup ground oats

Broth, beef or chicken 1 cup
1 bouillon cube dissolved in 1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon powdered broth base dissolved in 1 cup boiling water

Butter (salted) 1 cup
1 cup margarine OR
1 cup shortening plus 1/2 teaspoon salt OR
7/8 cup vegetable oil plus 1/2 teaspoon salt OR
7/8 cup lard plus 1/2 teaspoon salt

Buttermilk 1 cup
1 cup yogurt OR 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup

Cheddar cheese 1 cup shredded
1 cup shredded Colby cheddar OR 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Chicken stock 1 tablespoon base, instant
1 cup canned or homemade chicken dissolved in broth or stock
1 cup waterChili sauce 1 cup
1 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, dash of ground cloves and dash of allspice

Chives, finely 2 teaspoons chopped
2 teaspoons finely chopped green onion tops

Chocolate chips 1 ounce semisweet
1 ounce sweet cooking chocolate OR
1 cup chocolate candies OR
1 cup peanut butter OR
other flavored chips OR

Cocoa 1/4 cup
1 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate

Condensed cream of mushroom soup 1 (10.75-ounce) can
1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of celery, cream of chicken, OR golden mushroom soup

Cooking Sprays, No-stick
Substitute for shortening to prepare baking sheets and baking pans.

Corn Syrup 1 cup
1 cup sugar plus 1/4 cup liquid (use whatever liquid is called for in the recipe)
1 cup honeyCornstarch 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening)

Cracker crumbs 1 cup
1 cup bread crumbs OR 1 cup matzo meal OR 1 cup ground oats

Cream cheese
Part skim milk ricotta cheese or lowfat cottage cheese beaten until smooth

Cream, half and half (1 cup)

7/8 cup whole milk + 2 Tbs. melted unsalted butterCream, heavy (1 cup) (not for whipping)
2/3 cup whole milk + 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter

Crème fraiche 1 cup
Combine 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt. Let stand for 6 hours at room temperature

Cream, sour 1 cup
3 tablespoons butter plus 7/8 cup sour milk
7/8 cup buttermilk plus 3 tablespoons butterCream of tartar 1 teaspoon
2 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar

Egg 1 whole
Substitute 1/4 cup refrigerated egg product for 1 whole egg.Espresso Instant Coffee Powder 
Substitute 2 to 3 teaspoons instant coffee granules for 1 tablespoon espresso coffee powder.
Substitute 2 1/2 tablespoons instant cappuccino drink mix for 1 tablespoon espresso coffee powder.

Extracts 1 teaspoon
1/4 teaspoon oil of similar flavor

Flavor-based oil 1/4 teaspoon
1 teaspoon extract of same flavorFlour, all-purpose (1 cup)

1 cup + 2 Tbs. cake flour

Flour, cake (1 cup)

1 cup minus 2 Tbs. all-purpose flour

Flour, self rising (1 cup) 

1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder + 1/2 tsp. salt

Garlic 1 clove, small
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or 1/4 teaspoon instant minced garlicGarlic salt 3/4 teaspoon
1 medium size clove or 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh

Ginger–dry 1 teaspoon
2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger

Ginger–fresh 1 teaspoon, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground dried ginger

Green onion 1/2 cup chopped

1/2 cup chopped onion, OR
1/2 cup chopped leek OR
1/2 cup chopped shallots

Herbs, dried 1 teaspoon
1 tablespoon fresh, finely cut

Herbs, fresh 1 tablespoon,
1 teaspoon dried herbs

Honey 1 cup
1 1/4 cups sugar plus 1/4 cup liquid (use liquid called for in recipe)Hot pepper sauce 1 teaspoon
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper plus 1 teaspoon vinegarItalian Seasoning
Substitute 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves for 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning.

Ketchup 1 cup
1 cup tomato sauce plus 1 teaspoon vinegar plus 1 tablespoon sugarLemon juice (1 Tbs.) 1 Tbs. bottled lemon juice, lime juice or white vinegar

Lemon zest (1 tsp.) 1 tsp. lime or orange zest or 1/2 tsp. lemon extract chopped

Macaroni
2 cups, (4 cups cooked) uncooked
2 cups spaghetti, uncooked, (2 inch pieces)
4 cups noodles, uncooked

Marshmallows 1 cup
10 large miniature

Marshmallow Creme
Substitute 16 large or 160 miniature marshmallows plus 2 teaspoons light corn syrup for 1 cup marshmallow creme. Place in double boiler or stainless steel bowl over simmering water; stir until smooth.

Mayonnaise 1 cup
1 cup sour cream OR
1 cup plain yogurt

Milk, buttermilk 1 cup
1 cup plain yogurt

Milk, evaporated 1 can (about 12 ounces)
Whip until smooth: 1 cup nonfat dry milk; 1 3/4 cups warm water. Keep refrigeratedMilk, nonfat (1 cup)
1/3 cup powdered milk + 3/4 cup water

Milk, whole (1 cup)
1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water or 1 cup skim milk + 1 Tbs. melted butter

Molasses 1 cup
Mix 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Mustard–prepared 1 tablespoon
Mix together 1 tablespoon dried mustard, 1 teaspoon water, 1 teaspoon vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar

Oil (1 cup)

1 cup melted butter, margarine, or shortening depending on the recipe

Onion 1 small1/4 cup chopped, fresh onion
1-1/3 teaspoons onion salt
1 to 2 tablespoons minced onion
1 teaspoon onion powder

Orange Juice
Substitute 3/4 cup water plus 1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate for 1 cup orange juice.

Orange zest (1 tsp.)
1 tsp. lemon or lime zest or 1 tsp. finely chopped candied orange peel

Poultry seasoning (1 tsp.)
1/2 tsp. ground sage + 1/4 tsp. ground thyme + 1/4 tsp. ground rosemary

Pumpkin pie spice (1 tsp.)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon + 1/4 tsp. ginger + 1/8 tsp. nutmeg + 1/8 tsp. cloves-

Shortening (1 cup)
1 cup butter or margarine. Do not substitute oil for shortening.

Sour cream, 1 cup
1 cup plain yogurt OR
1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough cream to make 1 cup OR
3/4 cup buttermilk mixed with 1/3 cup butter

Soy sauce 1/2 cup
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce mixed with 1 tablespoon water

Sugar, brown 1 cup, firmly packed
1 cup granular sugar
1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup molassesSugar, white 1 cup
1 cup brown sugar OR
1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar OR
3/4 cup honey OR
3/4 cup corn syrup

Tomato juice (1 cup)
1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water

Tomato paste (1/2 cup)
1 cup tomato sauce cooked until reduced by 1/2Tomato sauce (2 cups)
3/4 cup tomato paste + 1 cup waterTomatoes, canned (1 cup)
1 1/3 cup fresh cut-up tomatoes; simmered 10 minutes

Vanilla Bean
Substitute 2 to 3 teaspoons vanilla extract for 1 8-inch vanilla bean.Vanilla extract 
1 teaspoon, 1-inch vanilla bean split and simmered in liquid of recipe

Vegetable Oil
Substitute equal amounts melted butter or margarine for vegetable oil.

White vinegar (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or 1/3 cup lemon juiceWine, red (1 cup)
1 cup non-alcoholic wine, apple cider, beef broth, tomato juice or water

Wine, white (1 cup)
1 cup non-alcoholic wine, white grape juice, apple juice, chicken broth or water

Worcestershire 1 teaspoon
1 teaspoon bottled steak sauce

Yogurt, plain (1 cup)
1 cup sour cream, buttermilk, or creme fresh or
1 cup heavy whipping cream + 1 Tbs. lemon juice


And as a reward for reading through that extremely LONG list….here’s a little BONUS.

Commonly used equivalent measures:

• General

3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon

4 tablespooons = 1/4 cup

5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon = 1/3 cup

16 tablespoons = 1 cup

2 cups = 1 pint

2 pints = 1 quart

• Butter

1/2 ounce (1/8 stick) = 1 tablespoon

1 ounce (1/4 stick) = 2 tablespoons

2 ounces (1/2 stick) = 4 tablespoons

4 ounces (1 stick) = 1/2 cup

16 ounces (4 sticks) = 2 cups


• Chocolate

12-ounce morsels = 1 cup melted chocolate

12-ounce morsels = 2 cups whole morsels

• Cream

1 cup heavy cream = 2 cups whipped cream

• Eggs

8-10 whites, large = 1 cup egg whites
12-14 yolks, large = 1 cup egg yolks
• Flour

1 pound = 4 cups

• Fruit

1 medium lemon = 3 tablespoons juice + 1 tablespoon grated rind

1 medium orange = 1/3 to 1/2 cup juice + 2 tablespoons grated rind

1 pound apples = 3 medium whole or 3 cups sliced

1 pound bananas = 3 medium whole or 1 1/2 cups mashed

• Nutmeats

4 1/2 ounces nuts, chopped = 1 cup

• Popcorn
1/4 cup kernels = 8 cups popped

• Sugar

1 pound brown sugar = 2 1/4 cups

1 pound confectioners’ = 4 1/2 cups sifted

French Toast Bake

I love French Toast! My daughter made it one year for my birthday - and it was just so good!! So I was on Pinterest and selecting items that interested me. After awhile you get so far away from Pinterest because you just continue to click on links and it takes you to another page or blog. Anyway, I ended up on the Sheldon Rachel Blog site. This recipe looks fairly easy and I think it would taste so great!

French Toast Bake

Last weekend I made a French Toast Bake for a bridal shower brunch. I love this recipe because it is so easy (Fia could do this by herself), economical (most expensive ingredient was the Texas Toast at $2), & oh-so-delicious! The best part is that it is made the day before so there is no fuss on the day you consume it....perfect for a Sunday afternoon or brunch. This food post will be step-by-step as I take you through the entire recipe with me...as I like to make my own tweeks & people get mad at me for not telling them EXACTLY what I did. *My additions to the recipe will be in red*


Before I begin....I must note that I was making a double batch (two 9 x 13 pans) so the pictures have double the ingredients. The recipe listed below is for 1 pan (9 x 13). Happy eating!!

** For those who are not familiar with Texas Toast, it is thickly sliced bread. The slices are about double the thickness of standard sliced bread. For a better description, click here **

Ingredient Checklist
1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar
1 loaf Texas toast
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Directions

1. Melt butter in microwave & add brown sugar....stir till mixed.
2. Pour butter/sugar mix into bottom of 9 x 13 pan....spread around
3. Beat eggs, milk, & vanilla
4. Lay single layer of Texas Toast in pan
5. Spoon 1/2 of egg mixture on bread layer
6. Add 2nd layer of Texas Toast
7. Spoon on remaining egg mixture
8. Cover & chill in fridge overnight
9. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes (covered for the first 30 minutes)
10. Sprinkle with powdered sugar
11. Serve with warm maple syrup (I don't do the syrup part)

- Crack eggs & get them started (on low)
- Melt butter in microwave
- Add brown sugar & stir together


- Pour mixture into 9 x 13 pan
- Spread evenly to cover bottom of pan


- Add milk & vanilla to egg mixture
- *Add 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar to egg mixture*
- Spread even layer of Texas Toast on butter/sugar layer
- *I cut off the crusts...this is NOT necessary....I just think it looks nicer...it was for a bridal shower*-


- After you have 1 even layer, ladle on 1/2 of egg mixture

- *Sprinkle brown sugar & cinnamon before next layer*
- Spread second layer of Texas Toast

- Ladle second half of egg mixture
- *Spread thin layer of butter*


- *Sprinkle lightly with white sugar & cinnamon*
(I think the butter & sugar help give the final product a crusty top....I could easily be wrong....but it sure doesn't hurt the flavor....and since this recipe is far from figure friendly...then why not?)
- Refrigerate overnight


- Bake at 350 for 45 minutes
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar
- Top should be crusty, middle should be soft & moist, & bottom is just glorious!



- The recipe calls for eating it with warm maple syrup. I did not do this....it would be way too sweet....instead, I added the Tablespoon of powdered sugar in the egg mixture.
- I personally feel that eating it upside down is the way to go.....that way you don't waste any of the sticky bits of heaven on the plate