BAKED BROWN SUGAR STEAK FRIES

For some reason, it seems like I usually stick to making the unhealthy stuff while Amy does the healthy stuff and I plan to continue that streak.

Anyway, these are sooooo delicious. It tastes almost tangy for some reason with the brown sugar/salt combo!

BAKED BROWN SUGAR FRIES

INGREDIENTS:

Baking potato (one or two)

Olive oil

Brown sugar

Salt & Pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut up potato into steak fry strips. Try to keep them uniform in size. Heat oven to 475 degrees F.

2. Place the fries in a bowl of warm water for about ten minutes. This will help soften up the inside.

2. Cover a baking pan in aluminum foil then spread about 3 tablespoons of olive oil on the pan. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the fries.

3. Place the fries on the pan and cover with aluminum foil. Place in oven for 5 minutes, remove aluminum foil covering and place back in oven for about 10 minutes. Remove fries and sprinkle brown sugar evenly on them. Rotate the pan and bake another 10 minutes. YUM

Recipe from A Beautiful Mess

-Jerica-

LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES

I was looking for a recipe that called for ricotta to use mine up, and a way to procrastinate from studying for finals, and I found this! Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. Who knew? The ricotta makes the pancakes extra moist inside and you whip the egg whites before adding, which adds so much volume and fluff. The end result is a pancake that melts in your mouth. Stop drooling!

LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES 

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 large egg
2 large egg whites
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon canola oil

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together ricotta cheese, egg, egg whites, lemon juice, lemon zest, and canola oil. Gently fold this mixture into the dry ingredients until flour disappears. Don't over mix. The batter will be thick.
3. Heat a griddle or a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray.  Drop about 1/3 cup of batter onto the hot griddle or skillet. Cook the pancakes until browned on the underside and beginning to set, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook the pancakes on the other side, about two minutes longer. Serve warm with maple syrup or fruit topping!

 -Jerica-

HOMEMADE PEANUT BUTTER DOG TREATS

I got this recipe from a dog food cook book a few years back that is super simple and quick. It is peanut butter dog biscuits! 

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 Teaspoon of baking powder

1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup of hot water

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and mix all of your ingredients in a bowl.  Once everything is mixed together roll it out and use a cookie cutter ( I used a jar top) to cut out the shapes that you want. Then bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown! Make sure to let it cool on a cooling rack before giving it to your pups! 

I made these the other day for a friend and his adorable dogs. For the jar I used a old salsa jar and glued on a plastic dog to the top and spray painted it black. I cut a strip from a brown paper bag to make the label which I then glued to the jar. For the gift tag I used an old map (I chose a map of Detroit because that is their hometown!) and cut it into a gift tag shape with trimming from the same brown bag I used for the label. 

This is such a quick gift to put together. With the baking and all, it took me about an hour to finish! 

-Amy-