Charlotte's Kitchen » Recipes

Our new favorite pancakes

Char — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:12:37 +0000

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t like pancakes? If so, I’ve never met them. If you are one of those few and far between people who just never developed a taste for these round delights, you need to give this recipe a try.

Most people have never had real homemade pancakes. By that I mean pancakes that don’t come from a box. Well I’ve found a great recipe that’s easy to make, and they taste MUCH BETTER than any box mix I’ve tasted.

Buttermilk Pancakes

Recipe type: Breakfast

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 4 mins

Total time: 14 mins

An easy to make delicious pancake recipe that uses both baking soda and baking powder.

Ingredients

1 & 1/4 cups of flour
1/4 cup of sugar
1 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups of buttermilk

Directions

Add the wet ingredients and mix well with a mixer, NOT by hand.
Add the dry ingredients individually while mixing, saving the sugar and flour for last. Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time and mix before adding the next 1/2 cup.
Heat your pan/griddle to medium-high.
Spray you pan/griddle with cooking spray.
Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pancake mix to the pan and cook about 2 minutes per side.
If you like them, you can add chocolate chips, blueberries, etc. to the pancake once it’s in the pan.

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An easy twist to a favorite dish

Char — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 03:57:18 +0000

I’ve talked before about biscuits and sausage gravy and what a great, easy breakfast or supper that it makes. Well I’m going to share with you a much faster way to make it, for those times when you don’t have a lot of time.

Normally, I make my biscuits from scratch and the gravy is slow cooked with a lot of spices added. Not with this recipe. This one is a fast easy recipe for when you are running late or have to eat and run.

Fast Easy Biscuits and Gravy

Recipe type: Main

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 20 mins

A fast and easy biscuits and gravy recipe

Ingredients

1 Lb ground sausage – we like Sage
5 TB flour
2 1/2 C milk
Frozen Biscuits (as many as desired)

Directions

Put the biscuits in the oven to bake. Depending on the kind you are using, they may be done before the gravy. That’s OK, it gives them a little time to cool.
Brown the sausage in a large frying pan. DO NOT DRAIN.
Add the flour and coat the sausage
Turn the heat to medium and add about 1 1/2 cups milk.
As it starts to thicken up add more milk, a little at a time, to get it to the consistency you like.
The final amount of milk used will vary depend on the thickness you want.

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FREE eCookbook: 29 Tasty, Easy Breakfast Recipes

Char — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 05:02:02 +0000

The folks at Recipe Lion have done it again. Here’s another great FREE eCookbook.

This collection of 29 tasty, easy breakfast recipes includes pancakes, waffles, eggs, omelettes, frittata, casseroles, French toast and on-the-go meals. These recipes have everything from sweet apples and bananas, to salty cheeses, bacon, and sausage.

There are a large range of choices to choose from, so make as many as you like! Breakfast foods are so good that we recommend eating them for lunch and dinner too.

Get your free eCookbook: 29 Tasty, Easy Breakfast Recipes today.

Pan Seared Tilapia over Black Beans

Char — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 03:54:09 +0000

I’m back, after a sad, busy hectic couple of months that changed our lives forever. Rather than getting into that though, I wanted to share a great meal that John made a few weeks ago. Although Tilapia is “The” fish that everyone is makin, we hadn’t gotten around to trying it.

We finally bought some and John surprised me with it one evening. Here’s a very simple recipe for a delicious meal.

Pan Seared Tilapia over Black Beans

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 20 mins

Serves: 2

Ingredients

1 Can Black Beans in Seasoned Sauce
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 6 – 8 oz Tilapia Filets
Cajun Seasoning
Fresh Salsa

Directions

Add entire can of black beans into a pot over medium heat.
Bring beans to a slow simmer, lower heat and leave uncovered to reduce and thicken.
Heat a 10 inch non-stick pan over medium high heat; add oil.
Season fish filets liberally on each side with Cajun seasoning and add to pan.
Pan sauté for 2 – 3 minutes on each side, turning once.
Begin plating by placing a generous portion of black beans on one half of the plate.
Carefully rest the fish filet on top of the beans, and top the filet with fresh salsa. Serve.

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Slow Cooker Cheddar Potato Soup

Char — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Ingredients:
8 potatoes, cubed
1 Tablespoon chopped chives
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk(room temperature)
2 Tablespoons flour
2 Tablespoons butter
2 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Directions:
Place potatoes, chives, celery, parsley, onion, paprika, celery seed and salt in a slow cooker.
Add water to cover.
Cover and cook on high for one hour.
Reduce heat to low and cook 4 to 5 hours.
Combine milk and flour until smooth. Combine with butter in a saucepan.
Cook for 3-4 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Add cheese and stir until melted.
Turn slow cooker to high.
Pour in the cheese mixture and cook for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Chow Mein Casserole

Char — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:00:00 +0000

March is almost over so lets end it with this easy casserole. We love rice and we love chow mein noodles so how about a combination of the two. GIve it a try and I’m sure you will like it.

Ingredients
1/2 lb lean ground beef (80/20 or better)
1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper blend
1 cup uncooked regular long-grain rice
1 3/4 cups beef flavored broth
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup water
1 can (28 oz) stir-fry vegetables, rinsed, drained
1/2 cup chow mein noodles
1/4 cup cashew pieces, if desired
Additional teriyaki sauce, if desired

Directions
1. Heat oven to 375°F. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, crumble beef; sprinkle with garlic pepper. Cook over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain.

2. In ungreased 11×7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish, mix beef, rice, broth, 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce and the water. Stir in vegetables. Cover baking dish with foil.

3. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until rice is tender. Uncover and stir; sprinkle with chow mein noodles and cashews. Bake uncovered 10 to 15 minutes longer or until noodles and cashews are golden brown.

Chicken Enchiladas

Char — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Ingredients:
1 lb. cooked and shredded chicken breast
4 sliced green onions
2 tbsp chopped cilantro
1 minced jalapeno
3 cans green enchilada sauce
8 corn tortillas
1 c reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
½ c salsa
½ c light sour cream
1 diced tomato
¼ c sliced black olives

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9” x 13” baking dish with cooking spray
2. Lightly coat a large skillet with cooking spray and place over a medium-high heat. Add green onion, cilantro, and jalapeno. Sauté for 2 min. Add chicken and 1 can of enchilada sauce. Cook, stirring occasionally until heated through – about 5 minutes
3. Pour the other 2 cans of enchilada sauce in a medium bowl and microwave until warm – about 2 minutes. Dip each tortilla in the heated sauce and fill with 1/8 of the chicken mixture. Roll up and place seam-side down in the baking dish
4. Pour remaining heated sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until heated through and cheese is melted – about 15 minutes.
5. Divide lettuce onto four plates and place a portion of enchiladas on top. Top with a spoonful of salsa and a dollop of sour cream, tomatoes, and olives.

4 servings

Chicken Noodle Soup

Char — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Ingredients:
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 chopped onion
4 carrots peeled and chopped
4 chopped celery stalks
4 bay leaves
½ tsp ground black pepper
12 c fat-free chicken broth
2 c water
2 lb. chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
1 lb. whole wheat or no yolk noodles
2 tbsp chopped dill

Directions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 4 min.
2. Add carrots, celery, bay leaves, black pepper, chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil over high heat
3. Add chicken and bring back to coil
4. Add noodles and simmer until tender – about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low
5. Remove bay leaves and stir in parsley and dill

8 servings

Jambalaya

Char — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Ingredients
1/2 cup chopped Celery
1/2 cup diced Onion
1/2 cup diced Green Pepper
1.5 cups of diced Fat-Free Ham
1.5 cups of diced cooked boneless/skinless chicken breast
1/2 cup Chicken Broth
1 14 oz can of Diced Tomatoes (not drained) or 2 medium fresh diced tomatoes
1 tbsp Hot Sauce
1-2 tsp Cajun Seasoning
1-2 tsp Dried Jalapeño Pepper
1/2 cup Brown Rice (uncooked)

Directions:
1. In a non-stick pot, or one sprayed with cooking spray, sauté Celery, Onion, and Green Pepper until Onion is tender.
2. Add Broth, Tomatoes, meat, and seasonings.
3. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
4. Add rice and simmer for 15 minutes stirring frequently until rice is cooked and consistency is as desired.

Beef Stroganoff

Char — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Ingredients
1+ pounds of top bottom roast (or sirloin)
1 8oz container of fat free sour cream
1-2 tbsp(s) of beef granules or powder
1 tbsp of flour
Whole wheat pasta
Veggies are optional. Recommended: Mushrooms, broccoli

Directions:
1. Cut your beef into cubes or strips (if you use the round bottom roast, it is best to tenderize it).
2. Place the beef into a pan that is sprayed with cooking spray. Cook until the beef is slightly brown (10-15 mins).
3. While your beef is browning, combine 8oz of sour cream, a tbsp of flour and 1-2 tbsp(s) of beef granules or powder. Mix them together (will look light brown)
4. After beef is slightly brown, pour the sour cream mix over it. Stir and let it cook for about 8-10 mins.
5. While this is cooking, boil water and cook pasta.
6. When finished place one serving of pasta on a plate and cover with meat and sauce.