Fun Toppings for Pancakes

Today's Shrove Tuesday, which is the perfect time to share some fun toppings, in addition to the always delicious maple syrup, if you're planning on indulging in pancakes for dinner or lunch (or both)!

Jams - I'll be serving pancakes topped with homemade bakeapple jam (have you ever had bakeapples? They're delicious!). You could also use raspberry, blueberry or strawberry jam, and if available, finish with a few fresh berries on top!

Icing Sugar - Simple and sweet, powdered sugar is delicious on pancakes.

Chocolate chips - A childhood favourite, these go great in the batter or melted on top. This is perfect if you're serving the pancakes as dessert instead of as a main course.

Lemon or Lime Juice - If you have a sour tooth, this would be perfect.

Fresh Peaches or Other Fruit - Fresh fruit is a perfect addition to whipped cream.

Greek Yoghurt - Everyone seems to be eating this now, so why not try it on some pancakes?

Nutella - Need I say more? Nom nom!

Photo of pancake stack by Girly Girl.

How to: Make the Most Delicious Brownies

This holiday season I picked up two surefire tricks to make any brownie recipe more delicious.

1. Mix whole milk chocolate chips into the batter before baking.

2. Top with cocoa cream cheese frosting (see frosting under frosted brownie recipe).

Thanks Hummingbird Bakery! I made these for our Christmas Eve dessert party, and I think they were a hit. xo Image via Good to Know Recipes.

Punch

I love to serve a big punch at our gatherings. It simplifies bar-tending duties, and always seems to be appreciated (are my guests just being too kind?). Our family always serves a grape wine punch at our parties. If you'd like to make one too, try mixing -- 1 large bottle of grape juice, 2L of ginger ale, 1 bottle of chardonnay, and 1 container of frozen orange juice. Sure it's super basic and certainly not fancy, but it is also super delicious and easy to boot!

Soup

My mom made a huge pot of apple, turnip and brie soup two Sundays ago, and I'm still dreaming about how delicious it was. It would be perfect to whip up and enjoy for lunch with friends over Christmas. You should try it! Trust me! Image of turnips via Pitch Fork Diaries.

Tacos

Now this is Mexican food that even Greg can get behind. I'll be whipping up a batch this week, though I may substitute the peach jam for some mango chutney that I have on hand. Yum! Image and recipe via Design*Sponge.

Burger

Wow. What a delicious-looking burger to enjoy this holiday weekend! Recipe available at Design*Sponge.

Popsicles

The sun is finally shining, and I'm lusting after Joanna's avocado popsicles. Monday night is grocery night at the Clarke household, and I'm very much inclined to add the necessary ingredients to our list. Image via Cup of Jo.

Salts

Right now, I'm super interested in making flavoured salts to spice up our standby weeknight meals. Image via Steamy Kitchen.

Sauce

Last May, while on our honeymoon in San Francisco, Greg and I enjoyed lunch at Samovar Tea Lounge in the Castro. Since then I've been dreaming about the squash dumplings with spicy sesame soy sauce that I ordered. Oddly, it hasn't occurred to me until now to search for a similar recipe for the sauce to enjoy with homemade dumplings here in St. John's. Here's to hoping that this version is just as delicious. Image of Samovar via Yoga Journal.

Healthy

This month's Real Simple includes a list of the 30 healthiest foods (think mushrooms, skim milk, almonds and edamame). The feature has me looking forward to many delicious and nutritious (and simple!) snacks and side dishes in our future. I'm particularly excited by the prospect of:

• Kiwi sliced thinly and drizzled with honey and topped with toasted coconut;
• Broccoli tossed with olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper, roasted until tender, and sprinkled with grated Parmesan before serving;
• Avocados halved, drizzled with soy sauce and fresh lime juice, and sprinkled with sesame seeds;
• Black beans tossed with olive oil, ground cumin and salt, and roasted until crispy; and
• Sweet potatoes steamed with cut up apples, and then pureed with maple syrup and crushed red pepper.

Do you have any delicious go-to healthy snacks and sides? I'm so curious.

Mealtime

Dear friends and family with recently announced pregnancies; congratulations!

Though hectic mealtimes might be a little far off for you yet, I stumbled upon this blog this am (via Swiss Miss) and thought it offered plenty of solutions to please parents and tots. From mocktails for the whole family to roasted squash and apple soup, One Hungry Mama has it all. Image via One Hungry Mama.

Hello Dolly

This past weekend, I discovered the simplest squares around - Hello Dolly bars. Delicious. And so simple to make.

Katie

I must cook everything on this website. Also, we have the same name so my desire is fitting. Image via What Katie Ate.

Instructions

Am I the only one who sometimes finds following recipes (particularly in fancy European cookbooks) difficult? For my wedding shower, one of my mom's cousins gifted me a measurement conversion magnet, which has proven invaluable. But I remain on the hunt for other tips of the trade to help improve my kitchen preparation skills and results. This book is genius! Harold McGee's tips help you pick the perfect pepper and perfect cheese fondue! I'm adding it to my must-have list. Image via Cool Hunting.

Neighbours

The morning after moving in, our next-door neighbours presented us with batches of brownies and muffins to welcome us to the street. How thoughtful and yummy! I was raised to return any container that sweets were given to you in filled with a treat that you prepared to reciprocate the gesture. I'm thinking that these jalapeno cheddar cookies would be a unique savory selection.

Draw+Cook

Apparently, there is a whole world of illustrated recipes! I'm so excited about They Draw and Cook. Thanks Lori! Found via Lori's Art Blog. Image via They Draw and Cook.

Homemade

Continuing on with posts about innovative recipe book presentation, have you seen the new Ikea cookbook that was recently released in Sweden? Food styling is my dream job. Images via Trendland.

P.S. Curious what recipes these images depict? Try out New York Magazine's quiz!

Pizza

Most every Friday night, Greg and I make pizzas for dinner, and they're typically topped with basic pizza sauce, parmesan cheese, salami, yellow peppers and mushrooms (lots of mushrooms). These pizzas with mushrooms, honey and chevre sound like they should be on our menu for next weekend. Image and recipe via Sweet Paul Mag.

Banana-Walnut

This Kate Sutton illustrated recipe is genius! I am jonsing for some banana-walnut bread now. Found for Orange Beautiful: Scoop.

Vinaigrette

Found: the most delicious salad vinaigrette! I've been experimenting in the kitchen recently (with much success) and this (albeit simple) red wine vinaigrette is one of my greatest successes.

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

3 tbps lemon juice

2 tsp honey

1 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste (at least a few twists of your salt and pepper mills)

Combine all ingredients in a container with a spout and mix with a spoon. Pour over mixed greens topped with cranberries and fresh Parmesan. Delicious.