The Secret to Perfect Fluffy Pancakes

What a simply wonderful way to make breakfast special.  It does take a bit of practice to make the perfect pancake, and I have a little unlikely secret ingredient to make those pancakes extra fluffy and addictively delicious: white vinegar.

Last Post of 2013: Best Apple Pie EVER!

Well here we are, the last day of 2013.  For me, this year has gone by quickly, yet really slow at the same time.  I can't say I'm too broken-hearted to start a new chapter in my life.  This is the year that I turn 30 (I have a little less than a month to go,)  and I'm quite determined to make it a great one!  Hopefully this new year will be full of new adventures, and great cooking.  So long 2013, welcome 2014!  I wish all of you a wonderful new year!

For Christmas I made an apple pie to bring to one of our dinners.  I got nothing but rave reviews, so I knew that it was a recipe that I needed to share with my readers.

What a comfort apple pie is.  Slightly tart and sweet apples, smothered in a sweet spiced syrup, all stuffed in a homemade (after years of doing a store bought one, I finally faced my fear and conquered it) flaky crust.  Serve it warm with some sweet vanilla ice cream, and it is simply the perfect end to a perfect meal.

Holiday Dishes: Dutch Worsteboojes

Literally translated: sausage rolls, these made quite an delicious treat!  What could be better than a a pork and beef mixture all wrapped up in dough.  These tasty bites weren't too, too difficult to make, and they definitely weren't too difficult to polish off either.

Worsteboojes can be found year-round in many regions, however in Limburg, worsteboojes are traditionally eaten after returning from midnight mass.

A Greek Christmas: Lemon Pork

I know, I know, I haven't made a post in the past couple of weeks as I promised I would do.  Our computer died.  The computer was down and out for a week.  But I have a couple of new holiday dishes for all you readers, so I will post them both this weekend.

The first of the meals that I made was Greek inspired: I made lemon pork.  Pork is a major staple on the Greek dinner table from December 6 through January 17.  Lemon pork is packed with flavor!  To compliment this dish, I also made roasted acorn squash and sweet potatoes with a lemon and maple syrup glaze.  I used pomegranate seeds to garnish my plate.  Pomegranates are a symbol of Christmas in Greece.  Pomegranates symbolize marriage, fertility, life, and hope.  I also made some candied walnuts to go on top of the squash, but they were so delicious, that I ate them all before I took a picture.  Oops.

Holiday Dishes: French-Canadian Tourtière (Meat Pie)

As I stated on the Off The Menu facebook page, through the end of the year, I will be making traditional holiday dishes from around the world.  This week I chose to make a tourtière.  This dish originated in what is now Quebec, and is traditionally served on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, or Christmas.

A tourtière is usually made of beef and pork, however I made mine with ground turkey that is seasoned to perfection.  Throw in some mashed potatoes, and top it all with a flaky golden brown crust, and you have yourself one satisfying meal in a pie that I just might be making at holiday time from now on.

A Comforting Meal: Mac and Cheese Casserole

Who decided that mac and cheese is only for kids, because who doesn't love it?  Noodles smothered in cheddar cheese; so yummy!  What a comfort too.  When you've had a rough day, this is the perfect meal to fill you up, and make you feel better.  This casserole full of mac and cheesy goodness, plus little sausage bits and seasoned fried potatoes cubes spread throughout, and topped with crunchy potato chip crumbs. 

Peanut Butter Banana Bread With Mini Peanut Butter Cups

What a simply wonderful breakfast or snack, banana bread makes.  This banana bread has a twist; it has  peanut butter in it.  But wait, it also has another special treat in it; mini peanut butter cups!  So don't throw out those squishy bananas, make a treat that the whole family will love!