Category Archives: brunch

May 11 2 comments
brunch

Buttermilk Skillet Pancakes

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Pancakes are, you could say, my culinary Achilles heel. They always turn out awful. Too undercooked, burnt, too gooey, too chewy, not fluffy enough, whatever. I hate making pancakes. I’ve yet to find a recipe that gave me the perfect results I want so usually when I crave pancakes it means we’re going out. Why eat mediocre pancakes at home when the world is full of diners?

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However, thanks to the power of suggestion and certain websites, I learned about skillet pancakes, also known as “Dutch babies” or “German pancakes.” Essentially these are pancakes that you cook in a skillet and slice like pizza. No muss pancakes AND another recipe to add to my ode to skillet collection, PLUS a good way to use up the rest of my buttermilk? Sold! I searched around a bit and finally settled on this recipe and I have to say, these were fantastic. Not only were they delicious (topped with strawberries and honey hallelujah Spring is here), they heated up in the toaster oven for days to come, making breakfast (my least favorite weekday meal to worry about) a piece of (pan)cake.

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We’re off today for New Orleans for Lauren’s wedding. We’ll be gone for 8 days (ah!) and I’m a mess of frantic, excited, anxious, and thrilled. Happy almost wedding, Lauren & Bradley!

buttermilk dutch babies 1Buttermilk Skillet Pancakes
adapted from Williamette Food Adventures

4 tbsp butter

3 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp sugar

Pinch of salt

Dash of powdered ginger

3/4 cup whole wheat flour (I used rye)

Preheat oven to 425.

Whisk together eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, sugar, salt, and ginger. Stir in flour. Melt butter in a skillet on the stovetop. Pour batter into the hot skillet and transfer to the oven. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

 

Feb 01 2 comments
brunch, fruits, soups, grits, and stews, vegan

Almond Grit Cakes with Clementines & Honey

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One of the very best things about the internet is the community. It has it’s ups and downs, definitely, and sometimes having a public blog that is open to criticism leads to reading, well, criticism of my person and my recipes and my life which sucks but the trade off for the positive is huge. I’ve met people and made connections and friendships that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Not to mention of course that this blog and everything that it is and has become wouldn’t be possible without a supportive community. The readers, the commenters, the people who email to tell me that the like/love/adore the blog make it all worth it. So, thanks friends.

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Through some chain of mutual friends (real and internet) I met the lovely Carrie from Plums in the Icebox on twitter. She’s a Baltimore native and we became friends on the internet and in real life.  She’s great- sweet, intelligent, witty, talented, and a Jill of all trades. Professionally she writes for Bliss Tree and recently she reached out to me about contributing to a “Brunch Off” series she has in the works. The concept is simple- two food bloggers create a brunch menu using the same seasonal ingredient and readers vote on which one they prefer. The ingredient was clementines (something I’ve been buying in bulk for a few months) and I love a good challenge, so count me in!

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My goals with this challenge were to create something fun, tasty, and unique to my niche, Southern food. Surprise to no one I chose grits as a foundation ingredients (are you getting sick of grits?). Sweet grits made with cinnamon, ginger, and almond milk formed into cakes and lightly fried. Topped with fresh clementines that had been tossed in local raw honey. Something light, full of flavor, and designed for brunch. That is to say, complimentary to mimosas and bacon.

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Dan and I tried some this morning and I’m happy with how they turned out. The grits were the perfect base- not overwhelmingly sweet with a good crunch thanks to the slivered almonds and a richness thanks to the almond milk. The clementines in honey were so simple and amazingly delicious, the perfect tribute to two of nature’s most wonderful ingredients. I like that it isn’t anything audacious (like fried chicken eggs benedict) or overdone (like french toast), just an unassuming combination of complimentary flavors and textures. Head over to Bliss Tree to see the Brunch Off, make both recipes, and tell me what you think!

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Almond Grits Cakes with Clementines & Honey

Serves 4-6

grits:

2 cups almond milk

1/2 cup stone ground grits

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp powdered ginger

1/2 cup corn flour

1/4 cup slivered almonds

Dash of cinnamon/ginger

topping:

3-4 clementines

2 tbsp honey

Pinch of salt (optional)

The grits cakes need to be formed at least an hour before being fried, though the night before is ideal.

In a medium saucepan combine grits, almond milk, honey, and spices. Cook over medium heat unti the grits are thick but still creamy. Pour into cupcake pans and chill for 1 hour or overnight.

Chop clementines in half or thirds and toss in honey. Let sit.

Combine corn flour, almonds, and spices and heat 1/4″ of oil in a heavy pan. Carefully (I used a fork so my hands didn’t warm the grits) coat the grits cakes in the flour mixture and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until crispy. Top with clementine mixture and a sprinkle of salt.