Whole Wheat Pancake Mix with Apple Cider Syrup

Growing up, we often had pancakes on Sunday morning so this was a natural fit for last Sunday's breakfast.  These pancakes were outstanding and the apple cider syrup was so easy and a big hit!  Notice that the recipe for the pancake mix makes 3 cups of mix and you only need 1 cup for a making.  (I learned the hard way and had to triple the additional ingredients).  If you don't need three cups of mix, the flour mixture will keep in a well-sealed container.  Hope you like them, we sure did!

Whole Wheat Pancake Mix
Ingredients for mix:
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 t. ground cinnamon

Additional ingredients for pancakes (per 1 cup of mix):
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1 t. vanilla

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients.  Blend thoroughly.  Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to three months.  This mix makes approximately 3 servings (6 pancakes per 1 cup of mix).

To prepare pancakes:  in a small bowl, whisk egg, milk and vanilla.  Whisk in 1 cup of pancake mix.

Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased pan.  Set to low heat.  Turn when bubbles form on top of pancakes.  Cook until second side is golden brown.

Apple Cider Syrup:
1/4 c. sugar
2 t. cornstarch
2/3 c. apple cider
1 cinnamon stick
dash ground nutmeg

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and cider until smooth.  Add cinnamon stick.  Bring to a boil over medium heat;  cook and stir for 2 minutes until thickened.  Discard cinnamon stick.  Stir nutmeg into syrup.  Pour into a bottle with a tight fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for up to two months.  

Source:  The Comfort of Cooking

Sloppy Joes

Hi guys!  Sorry it has been awhile since I posted a recipe;  we've been kind of busy but I've been trying all kinds of good recipes that I look forward to sharing with y'all.  One of the new recipes is this one.  It is from the Pioneer Woman Cooks blog, which is a favorite of mine.  She does a lot of great, easy to follow recipes with ingredients you usually have in the house.  This is one of the best recipes for Sloppy Joes that I've eaten.  Hope you enjoy!

Sloppy Joes

2 T. butter

2 1/2 lb. ground beef

1/2 whole onion, diced

1 whole large green bell pepper, diced (I used red and orange since I had those on hand)

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 c. water

2 T. brown sugar

2 t. chili powder (more to taste)

1 t. dry mustard

1/2 t. red pepper flakes (more to taste)

Worcestershire sauce to taste

2 T. tomato paste

tabasco sauce to taste

salt to taste

black pepper to taste

Directions:

Add butter to a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat.  Add ground beef and cook until brown.  Drain most of the fat and discard.

Add onions, peppers and garlic.  Cook for a few minutes or until the vegetables begin to get soft.  

Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili pepper, dry mustard and water.  Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste.  Also add tomato paste, Worcestershire and Tabasco if desired.  Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.  

For a great step by step with photos, see this post.

Hope you enjoy as much as we did!