Orange-Pineapple Crepes

Orange-Pineapple Crepes
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/3 c. milk
1 egg
1/2 tsp. finely shredded orange peel
1/3 c. orange juice
2 tsp. cooking oil
1/2 of a fresh pineapple peeled, cored and sliced
2 tbsp. butter
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 c. orange juice
2 medium oranges, peeled and sectioned
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla or rum extract
1/4 c. chopped pecans or toasted slivered almonds
1/4 c. toasted coconut
fresh strawberries (optional)

In a small mixing bowl combine flour, milk, egg, orange peel, 1/3 cup orange juice and oil. Beat with a rotary beater until well mixed. Heat a lightly greased small skillet over medium heat then spoon 2 tablespoons batter into skillet. Lift and tilt skillet to spread batter then return to heat and brown on one side only. Invert pan over paper towels and remove crepe. Repeat with remaining batter, greasing skillet occasionally. Fold each crepe in half browned side out then fold in half again forming triangle. Place a single layer on a baking sheet then keep warm in 300 degree oven while making sauce.
For sauce, cut pineapple slices into fourths then set aside. In a medium saucepan melt butter then stir in brown sugar and cornstarch. Add 1/2 cup orange juice then cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more then add pineapple, orange sections and vanilla or rum extract. Cook over low heat stirring gently until heated through. Arrange folded crepes on dessert plates and spoon sauce over crepes. Sprinkle with nuts and coconut then garnish with fresh strawberries and serve.

This is an example of what I had to do with 20 pounds of fresh oranges. I needed ideas and came across this great recipe. It is very rich. If I could go back and add anything, it would be whipped topping to cut the sweet. My kids ask for these crepes often. Yum!

Scottish Oatcakes - Easy Recipes for Dinner

I'm always looking for a fast and easy recipe idea come dinnertime! I'm not much of a gourmet cook either. Fancy recipes tend to take more time and often call for ingredients I've never heard of before. So let me share with you some of the tastiest, healthiest, quickest dinners I know - the Scottish and Highland oatcakes.

I like to flavor oatcakes like I would my meat. For example, if I want it to taste like Chicken Parmesan, I flavor it with my chicken or poultry seasonings and top it with spaghetti sauce and Parmesan cheese. My husband likes to use them as "veggie burgers" when we're out of ground beef. He'll flavor it with onion powder, garlic salt, Montreal Steak seasonings... you get the idea... and fries it like a hamburger.

Experiment with it! This is one of those recipes you really can't mess up too bad (unless the lid to your salt shaker isn't on very well). Anyway, here you go....

Scottish Oatcakes (my college survival meal!)
Prep time: less than 5 minutes
Cook time: 6-10 minutes

Ingredients:
1/3 cup instant oats
1 egg
salt, pepper, seasonings
your choice of sauce anc cheese (optional)

Directions:
Mix oats, egg and seasonings. Fry on medium-low heat until the top starts to buble like a pancake (about 3-6 minutes). Flip over and top with sauce and cheese if desired. Cover and cook until cheese melts (about 3-4 minutes). Serve!

Makes 1 serving.


Highland Oatcakes (a bit yummier and only takes a little more time)
Prep time: about 20 minutes
Cook time: about 10 minutes

Ingredients:
1 cup finely ground instant oats (don't have finely ground? put your instant oats in the blender!)
2 cups flour (wheat or white is fine)
2 tsp baking powder
salt, pepper, seasonings
1 egg
water
your choice of sauce and cheese (optional)

Directions for BAKING:
Preheat oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. In medium-sized bowl, sift dry ingredients together including seasonings. Mix in egg. Add water and mix until it becomes a pastey, thick dough. Separate dough into 8 rounds. Flatten to about 1 centimeter to 1/2 inch thickness. Place on a pre-greased cookie sheet and cook in oven for 10 minutes. Top with warmed sauce and cheese. Serve!

Directions for FRYING:
Fry in lightly greased pan on medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes, then flip. Top with sauce and cheese, then cook until cheese melts (about 3-4 minutes). Serve!

Makes 8 servings.

Best Playdough Recipe Ever!

Homemade Playdough

2 c Flour
1/2 c Salt
4 tsp Cream of tartar
2 c Warm water
2 T. Vegetable oil
4-6 drops food coloring
Mix first flour, salt, and cream of tartar in saucepan. Stir in water, oil and coloring, stirring constantly over medium heat until dough pulls away from sides of pan. Remove from pan and allow to cool a few minutes. Knead until smooth. Put into plastic ziplock bag or container. Store in a cool place.

I store it in the fridge. If it dries out a little, just rub a few drops of vegetable oil into the dough and knead well. I love this recipe because it is made with stuff I have on hand and it's completely safe in case somebody decides to eat it. But, eeww! I hope no one eats it!