Shipley's Do-nuts

Have you heard about Shipley's Do-Nuts?  If you live in the south you probably have.  Apparently, they have been around for 76 years.

When I travel I really like to eat things that are local and that I can not get in my home state.  Like I told you before, my folks have lived in Texas for 16 years and somehow I hadn't heard of Shipley's before.  I think my family was holding out on me. 

My sister ran to the closest Shipley's with my daughter on a beautiful (but cold) Sunday morning and my daughter was enthralled!  She thought that the store was pretty and that the selection was vast.

The person that helped them, handed her a bag of donut holes for free.  She was very excited to open the bag when she arrived back at her Grandparents house because the girl has never seen a do-nut hole before!

I've eaten a lot of do-nuts in my day.  They are one of my favorite treats and many of my childhood memories revolve around these wonderful dough pastries.  Shipley's Do-Nuts are the closest to the do-nuts of my childhood that I have ever come across. 

I was so happy that my kids were able to experience them and now we have a do-nut memory from Grandma and Grandpa's house. 

Do you have a favorite donut shop from your state? 

If you would like to try Shipley's you can find their locations on their website.  They are also on facebook and twitter.

Disclaimer: I was not paid to write about Shipley's Do-Nuts, but if given the chance I would blog for donuts.

Breakfast Pizza

We just returned from a trip so I didn't take the time to really plan an Easter meal.  In fact, I was tempted to skip Easter all together because I'm over the Easter Bunny and his shenanigans.  We stuffed eggs while watching Les Mis last night and hiding them was fun.  It took the kids all of about 3 minutes to find them!

I asked the kids what they wanted for Easter Dinner and they said Corn Dogs.  Works for me!

Since we'll be having a simple dinner, I decided to make brunch for my family.  For the record, Keith and I will NOT be having corn dogs, we're having pork chops and potatoes.

I decided on Breakfast Pizza.  This could end up being our Easter Tradition because the kids loved it!

I used Grands! Refrigerated Biscuits for the base of our pizzas.  I lightly floured my cutting board and rolling them out pretty thin, they will puff back up a bit while baking so don't worry that they are too thin.  I greased a cookie sheet and baked them in a 350 degree oven for 8 minutes.

While they were baking, I made scrambled eggs and fried some sweet Texas onion and chopped portabello mushrooms in a little bit of butter.  My husband and I love caramelized onion on just about anything!

Once the pizza bases were ready I poured a small amount of olive oil on them and then layered slices of provolone cheese on top.  The onion and mushroom mixture was next and then some eggs.  Lastly, I sliced up some prosciutto and added it to the top.

I put the pizzas back in the oven for about 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

I served the yummy little pizzas with some yogurt and fresh fruit.

Mommy had a little libation because it's Sunday.  Keith was nice enough to pick up my favorite little bottles of prosecco but I forgot to get orange juice.  I made do with a little sliced strawberry!

Happy Easter!

Einstein Bros Bagels

We were watching Once Upon a Time last night when one of the characters arrived in Storybrook from New York City with a bag of bagels.  My son was intrigued by the donut looking food item and said he wanted to try one.

He never wants to try anything new so we got up early and went to Einstein Bros Bagels for breakfast before iKeith went to work.

I haven't been to Einstein's in over 7 years.  Not since I worked in an office and occasionally  enjoyed a bagel with smear during staff meetings.  You know, I knew that I was missing something from my life but I didn't realize it was bagels.

Alex ordered a blueberry bagel without smear.  Apparently, he's only trying one new thing at a time and is not willing to bend that rule.  Mallory had a blueberry bagel with strawberry cream cheese and declared it the best thing she's eaten in three days. I'll tell you about THAT meal next week.

I have to tell you that I was very impressed with the coffee and my husband's lox bagel.  That's what I'm getting next time.  And there WILL be a next time.

I'm done missing out.

Disclaimer: I was not paid to write about Einsteins or asked to eat there.  I just do what my kids tell me to do.  And I love carbs. 

Guilt-Free Cottage Cheese Pancakes

I've been on a mission for the last two months to make our meals as healthy as possible.  I've taken some of our old favorite recipes and given them a makeover and I'm thrilled when I find new recipes that my family loves.  

Yesterday, my son asked for pancakes.  I've been making a point of making nice breakfasts on the weekends and he loves flapjacks covered in syrup!  I decided to see what I could come up with for him that would be healthier and not just empty calories and sugar!

I remembered that when we were on our Wisconsin vacation with my in laws that my mother in law had made pancakes with cottage cheese.  That would give them a high amount of protein!

I was able to make 9 pancakes from the recipe so I'm making them again tomorrow and messing with the recipe a bit to make 12, enough for the whole family!

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

adapted from Martha Stewart

• 3 large eggs, separated, yolks lightly beaten
• 1 cup full- or low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 tsp ground flax seed
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 
  

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form.
2. In another bowl stir together egg yolks, cottage cheese, almond extract, sugar, flour, baking powder and salt. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter.
3. Heat a griddle to medium high heat. Spray with Pam or grease with a small amount of butter. Using a 1/4 measuring cup,  scoop  batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until surfaces bubble and edges are set, about 1 minute. Flip pancakes, cooking about 3 minutes more until undersides are golden brown. Repeat process until you have worked through all the batter.  Serve with maple syrup or my favorite topping....cherry preserves!

Poor Keith got this poor little pancake because he missed breakfast.  The early bird gets the pancakes.  The sleepy-head gets nothing!

 

Good Times Breakfast Burritos

Have you heard that Good Times Burgers and Frozen Custard is selling breakfast burritos?

I'd seen something on their sign about it but didn't think too much about it because I usually go to Good Times for chicken.  You thought I was going to say burgers didn't you?  Well...I like those too, but I love their chicken strips with the mustard dipping sauce.

I'm getting ready to start a journey of clean living and fitness so all of a sudden the green chili burritos were calling my name.  And then I got some coupons in the mail.

It was like I was supposed to try these lovely eggy beauties before they were banned from my life forever!

I decided to try the Egg and Cheese, Sausage and Chorizo burritos.   I skipped the bacon because I love bacon and I thought it was probably be great no matter what.

One out of my two children loved the egg and cheese and it was my husbands least favorite.   Keith and I both agreed that the sausage burrito was our favorite and had the perfect amount of spice and green chili.

These burritos are big and for $2 they are a bargain!  They are wet and full of cheese and egg.  I'd almost be tempted to say they are the perfect hand held burrito and I can't stop thinking about them.

Thank goodness they have a drive thru.....so that I can get one on the run.  And then secretly eat it in my car.

 Please don't tell my health coach.

Cilantro Jalapeno Sauce

I think my favorite herb to cook with has to be Cilantro!

I love it in all kinds of food and if it's in salsa, then I can't control myself and will eat an entire bowl.

I add it to so many dishes and love it as a garnish. Luckily, my husband loves it as much as I do or we may have a little problem.

You do know that some people don't like Cilantro.  I took a poll on facebook the other day and I was amazed at how passionate folks can be about their like or dislike or this special herb.

You either love it, or hate it.

If you love it....you're going to go crazy for this.  It takes no time to whip up and lasts for 2 weeks in the fridge.  Do you save your sauce jars?  I'm having fun finding things to put in them.  Soup and now this sauce.

We've put it on fish, grilled chicken and my new favorite....EGGS!  It's fantastic!

Cilantro-Jalapeno Sauce
adapted from Culinate

2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
2 jalapenos, chopped
1/4 cup white onion chopped
2 tbsp honey
3 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp olive oil
salt

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until liquidy.  Season with more salt if needed.  More jalapeno can be added if you want more heat.

Cinnamon Rolls: Friends for Life

If you got a pan of these Cinnamon Rolls from me today....then you know how I feel about you.

I think this will be our new Christmas Tradition.  But next year I'll make them at my brother in laws house because my galley kitchen was much too small!

Cinnamon Roll Waffles

If you want to see your kid with this look on their face.

You have to make these.

They only need to cook for a minute and a half.  Fast, easy and delicious!

Lucile's Creole Cafe in Longmont

Before I moved to Utah....I had a long standing date in May with my friends from Greeley.  We'd go to breakfast (usually at The Egg and I) and then spend the morning buying flowers to plant at The Flower Bin in Longmont.

I wasn't much of foodie 5 years ago and would have never sought out a unusual restaurant.

I was missing out on soooo much!

I've been back in Colorado for 8 months and I was so excited to get our ritual started again!  I convinced my friends to go to Luciles Creole Cafe for breakfast.  I sent them the menu to peruse before hand and they were so excited!

We had to try the Beignets and they were so good...little fluffy pillows of dough!  My 4 year old daughter thought they were the most amazing thing she'd ever eaten.  I wish I'd just ordered her more of them for her breakfast....because the giant Rice Pancakes were just too much for her to handle.

Lucile's has several breakfast drinks to choose from.  I went with the traditional Mimosa and I loved that they brought me a small bottle of champagne, a carafe of orange juice and a lovely glass. Making my own was really fun!

For my meal...I knew I wanted to have a traditional New Orleans dish.  The Eggs Rockefeller jumped out at me because of the fried oysters.  This dish was so delicious and rich....the Rockefeller sauce was salted perfectly.  It arrived with a giant buttermilk biscuit that melted in my mouth, and grits and potatoes.  I'd never had grits before and I really liked them.

Lucile's Creole Cafe has five Colorado locations.  Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins, Longmont and Littleton.  If there is one near you....try it, you will not be disappointed!

Lucile's Creole Cafe
518 Kimbark Street
Longmont, CO 80501
303.774.9814