Kathy's Waffles

My mother-in-law makes really good home made waffles. I love every time we go an visit this is what she makes! You can pick your toppings, but I am a butter and syrup kinda girl :)

2 eggs, beaten

2 c. buttermilk

1 tsp. baking soda

2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

6 Tbsp. shortening

1-Mix all ingredients in a large bowl or your Kitchen Aid and mix well until smooth.

2- Choose your toppings: Fresh raspberries, strawberries, whipping cream, butter, syrup, caramel syrup and pecans...... Whatever you like!

Cream Cheese French Toast

Let's get one thing straight: I HATE FRENCH TOAST! I am NOT a huge egg fan to say the least. And the thought of french toast has always just wanted to make me gag! But..... some family friends introduced me to this kind of french toast when we were camping, and I am hooked! I have never had anything like this. My mother-in-law has me make this every time they come in to town, it's now her favorite also!

1 loaf Grandma Sicamore Bread (this bread is best because it is not too think, not too thin)

1 block cream cheese, softened (can use light)

Egg Mixture:

5 large eggs

1/4 c. sugar

1Tbsp. cinnamon

1 whole orange rind, grated fine (optional, but 100 times better with it!!!!)

milk till creamy

Syrup:

1 c. butter (2 sticks)

3/4 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter milk

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1-In a large bowl mix eggs, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, orange rind, and milk together. Set aside

2-In a medium saucepan on the stove stir butter, sugar, and butter milk together until you bring it to a boil. (this process is much quicker, if you cut your butter in to small cubes, it will melt faster)

3-Remove your butter sauce mixture from the stove and let cool for about 1-2 min. Add your baking soda, and vanilla. Whisk all ingredients together.

4-Return to LOW heat and keep warm.

5-Take a piece of your bread, and spread a layer of cream cheese, on it. Take another piece and sandwich it together.

6-Take your "sandwich" and coat it lightly in the egg mixture

7-Let your bread lightly brown on both sides

8- Remove from pan, place on plate, and top with a sauce mixture!

*Note: I will caution you that there is a chance when you add your baking soda and vanilla to your sauce mixture, it could foam up, and boil over. This is why it is VERY IMPORTANT to let it cool first, But just to be safe, place your pan in the sink, then add your baking soda and vanilla. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY! I learned this the hard way (I burned my hand really bad...)

Crepes

I love crepes, my Grandma makes them for us every time she comes to visit. This is not her recipe (I can't find hers) but this one is pretty close, and taste's just as good! These are always a hit!

1 c. all purpose flour

1 1/2 c. milk

2 eggs

1 Tbsp. butter, melted

1/4 tsp. salt

butter

1-In a small bowl combine flour, milk, eggs, 1 Tbsp butter, and salt; beat with hand mixer or a wire whisk until well blended.

2-Heat a lightly buttered medium size (6 in. or bigger) skillet. Remove from heat; spoon about 2 Tbsp. batter evenly. Lift and tilt skillet to spread evenly. Return to heat; brown on one side only.

3- To remove, tip pan upside down to release crepe on to a plate.

4-Repeat with remaining batter. BE SURE TO BUTTER YOUR PAN EACH TIME, OR THEY WILL STICK!!

*At our house everyone likes different topping or filling for their crepes. Here are a few that we use.

regular old butter and syrup, raspberry/strawberry jam, plain cream cheese or strawberry cream cheese with syrup on top...... The list goes on and on. You can do many different things. Have fun and be creative

Brunch Casserole

This recipe is super easy, and my kids love it. Even better, you can make it the night before, put it in the fridge, and cook it the following morning! It doesn't get any easier than that!

1 lb. spicy pork sausage (I use Jimmy Dean it's not too spicy)
1/2 c. chopped green bell pepper
1/2 c. chopped red bell pepper
3 cups frozen hash browns, thawed
12 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 c. milk (do not use skim)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese (I just use however much it takes to cover the top)

1.Brown sausage in a medium skillet, stirring until thoroughly cooked. Add peppers, and saute 5 min. or until tender
2.Place hash browns in a lightly greased 3 quart baking dish. Top with cooked sausage mixture. Combine eggs, milk and salt in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk until blended; pour egg mixture over sausage mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for one hour or until golden and set.

* To make this night before, cook your sausage and peppers, and place in freezer bag, put in fridge. Put your hash browns in your greased baking dish, cover w/ plastic wrap and place in fridge. In a large bowl place your eggs, milk, and salt mixture cover and place in fridge. In the morning you have everything ready to go, just place it all in the baking dish, and pop it in the oven!