Pancake Batter Frying Adventure

...And, another thing to do with those generic hot dogs!

A few nights ago, I decided to make pancake batter and store it in the fridge overnight so that I could make pancakes in the morning. The next morning...I just wasn't hungry. So, the batter sat in the fridge for a couple days. While discussing with my husband what to eat for dinner, he suggested pigs in a blanket.

"Sure, I could make up some biscuit dough," I said.

"Well, don't we still have that pancake batter?" he asked.

"Pancake batter...?" I pondered. "You mean...dip hot dogs in pancake batter and fry them?"

"Sure, why not!" he cheerfully replied.

I weighed the possibilities. I still wasn't in the mood for a plate of hotcakes and the shelf life of my homemade batter was running out.

"...Okay, I'll give it a shot!"

...I had leftover batter so I did a couple brownies too. The hot dogs were heavy, definitely a small-dose special-occasion treat. I dipped mine in ketchup and mustard. The brownies were superb, they taste like a chocolate chip pancake. ;)


















It's as easy as it sounds. If you ever try this at home, here's a couple tips: Dip your item in batter, then flour, then batter. Don't get the oil too hot, this stuff browns quickly and burns in an instant if you're not careful. Don't use foods that are raw or frozen or need any amount of time to actually cook.

Top 5 Things Broke People Do With Hot Dogs

Ah, memories. If you've ever received a Christmas present wrapped in the Sunday comics or spent happy childhood summers with a garden hose and a freezer full of these...

...You know that money doesn't equal happiness. You loved playing the store's trial video games while mom was looking at clothes. You could have fun for hours with a partially deflated balloon. And, like many families of little means, you spent nearly every Saturday night gathered around this...

...Watching this.

Watching COPS on Saturday night was a cherished family tradition for me and many of my neighborhood chums. Even at casual sleepovers, you could count on your friends' parents to turn on Fox at 8:00 and treat you to a big cup of Kool-Aid and a tasty meal. It always fascinated me just how many things my mom and my friends' moms could do with a pack of these...

Here are a few of my all-time favorites.

5. Hot Dogs with Spaghetti-O's (or if you were really poor, Spaghetti Rings)

My mom often put a thermos full of these in my Beauty and the Beast lunchbox. 

4. Pigs in a Blanket (with the 25 cent biscuit dough)

A filling and satisfying comfort food, these were saved for special occasions.

3. Good Ol' Hot Dog on Wonderbread

A staple for lazy days at my house even still!

2. Blue Box Mac n' Cheese with Hot Dogs

A truly magical flavor combination. Sometimes the chef would add in some peas. That's good eatin'.  

1. Roasting a hot dog over the gas stove

WE'RE CAMPING!!! Woohoo! It's a magical adventure when you have hot dogs, a gas stove, and some sticks. It's a different kind of "roughing it". 

;)

My New Kitchen

Remember this matchbox?

New apartment = New kitchen! Much bigger...

Much BETTER!

Imitation Crab Cakes

So rich and decadent, you won't believe it's made with the cheap stuff. Be warned, these are the kind that fall apart like a good Maryland crab cake should. Makes 4 regular size cakes, or try miniature for a fun party snack! :)

1 8oz package imitation crabmeat
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1/2 tsp Old Bay or cajun seasoning
8 Ritz crackers, crushed into crumbs
2 Tbsp butter








In a bowl, shred the crabmeat with your hands. You don't want to pulverize it but you want it to be easy to work with. Add the mayo, seasoning, and half of the cracker crumbs. Fold mixture together until it holds. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
In a skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Form crab mixture into 4 patties. Carefully coat with remaining cracker crumbs, and fry for 4-5 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels and serve with a lemon wedge.

Eggless Cranberry Coffee Cake

This is a great way to use that leftover cranberry sauce. Eggs always seem to be the first thing I run out of around here! This recipe contains no eggs, and after sharing it with 5 of my dear friends, it was given rave reviews. I'm also happy to report that if you're out of milk, water works just fine.

Cake:
1 stick butter or margerine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 cup milk or water
A capful of vinegar
1 1/2 cups cranberry sauce

Topping:
1/2 stick cold butter or margerine
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour




Preheat the oven to 350.
Cream butter and sugar, then combine with remaining cake batter ingredients except for cranberries. Pour batter into a large greased springform pan or pyrex dish.
Using a spoon, drop small dollops of cranberry sauce onto the surface of the batter, 1-2 inches apart. Use the spoon to marble and swirl the cranberries evenly into the batter, making distinct stripes.
To make the topping, combine sugar and flour in a bowl. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or your hands. You want the crumbs to be big, bigger than a pinhead smaller than a marble. I overworked the topping, which is why my top is flattish and not crumbly. Still tastes good though. ;)
Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cakey part comes out clean. Let cool for at least 1 hour.

Optional: Drizzle on a simple white icing after it has cooled.

Overnight method: You can assemble the entire cake the night before, cover and refrigerate it, and bake it in the morning.

Bacon Wrapped Cheddar Brats

This isn't really a recipe, more of an assembly guide. Or something. Whatever it is, it's really tasty and fun at parties. Makes 24.

1 package precooked cheddar bratwursts (6 pack)
12 strips raw bacon
24 toothpicks










Preheat oven to 400.
Cut each of the 6 brats into 4 pieces, and cut each bacon strip in half. Wrap each half bacon strip around each brat piece and secure with a toothpick. Place on a cookie sheet lined with foil. Bake for 7-10 minutes, flip, and bake for 5-8 more minutes or until bacon is crispy. Drain on paper towels.

Eggless Pancakes

Out of eggs? Allergic? Just don't like 'em? You won't miss them in this recipe for perfectly fluffy pancakes with no eggs. Serves 2 hungry people.

1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 cup melted butter
Dash of cinnamon, optional








Combine ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth. If it's too thick, add water. Heat your pan or griddle on medium and add a tiny bit of butter to prevent sticking. Make pancakes by pouring batter into pan 1/4 cup at a time. Flip when the edges start to firm up and you see bubbles popping on the surface, about 45-60 seconds. Cook the other side for another 45-60 seconds, until golden brown. Serve with your favorite toppings and a hot cup of coffee.