Lovin' From the Oven

Cornmeal Pancakes

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I have this irrational fear of test driving a car. In my 27 years of life, I’ve never done it… until last weekend. I don’t know why I’m scared of driving a brand new car that’s not mine. Actually, that’s exactly why I’m scared. Not only that, but there’s a stranger in the car dictating your moves! “Turn this way, go that way, step on the gas a little… feel the power! Now brake hard to see how responsive it is!”

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Yeah… I don’t like that.

My DH and I went out to lunch last weekend and wanted to walk around a bit afterwards. There were car dealerships all around, so we went in to browse. I ended up liking a car, and the pushy salesman brought out the manager before we left… twice. The manager did his schpeal and before I knew it, we were waiting for the salesman to bring the car around. How did that even happen?

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At this point, my DH was ecstatic because he knew how anti-test driving I was. I always told him that whenever the time came for me to get a new car, he would test drive the car and I’d just sit in the backseat to experience it. Same thing. My DH was not gonna have that.IMG_7043

I told the salesman that I didn’t want to go out for long… a little ride to get a feel for the car and that’s it! That’s exactly what we did. We probably drove for less than five miles and before I knew it, we were back in the parking lot. Thank goodness! It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. That’s how first experiences are… you just gotta jump the first hurdle.IMG_7056

Still, I don’t like doing it.

But pancakes, I will say yes to. This recipe from The Pioneer Woman is a little upgrade from your normal every day pancakes. The cornmeal really give a welcomed gritty texture. They’re also not sweet at all on their own, so maple syrup is a must.

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Cornmeal Pancakes

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cup (scant) All-purpose Flour
  • 1-1/2 cup Heaping Yellow Cornmeal
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 3 Tablespoons Baking Powder
  • 4 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 2-1/4 cups Whole Milk (more If Needed)
  • 2 whole Large Eggs
  • 3 teaspoons Vanilla
  • 4 Tablespoons Butter, Melted (I used olive oil)

Directions

  1. Mix together flour, cornmeal, salt, baking powder, and sugar in a bowl. Set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, stir together the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Add melted butter and let the batter sit for a couple of minutes.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Once warm, drop 1/4 cup batter and cook until both sides are brown.
https://lovintheoven.com/cornmeal-pancakes/

Yogurt Blueberry and Banana Bread

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Man, I love Ikea. I went today to get some outside furniture for our balcony upstairs. Nothing special, just two chairs so we can sit outside as we please.

Ikea is NOT the place to go by yourself. Always bring some muscle when you go, even when you’re not planning on buying anything because you will walk out with something! I hate that they don’t let you bring the cart out to your car. You have to leave it with the guy working, pull you car up, and then load it yourself.

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Also, always make sure that the stuff you buy actually fits in your car. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and buy a dresser that comes in a flat wide box. You see the box and think, “Of course that’ll fit in my car!” When the time comes for you to pull your car up, you start second guessing yourself.

My DH and I have totally done that before. We ended up having to unbox the table or shelf and putting the pieces in one by one. Ten more minutes of Tetris and we’ve fit everything into his hatchback. Hoorah!IMG_7500

Anyhow, this recipe came about when I was trying to empty my refrigerator, but I wasn’t crazy about it. Despite the yogurt in the batter, the bread still came out a little chewy. Perhaps I over mixed it? It also wasn’t the prettiest thing. Better luck next time!

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Yogurt Blueberry and Banana Bread

Ingredients

  • 3 ripened bananas, mashed
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup greek vanilla yogurt
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 and 3/4 cups flour
  • 1 cup blueberries

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
  2. Mix together the bananas, oil, yogurt, eggs, vanilla extract, and sugar.
  3. Gradually stir in the salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and flour until just combined.
  4. Fold in the blueberries.
  5. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
https://lovintheoven.com/yogurt-blueberry-banana-bread/

Lemon Poppyseed Mini Muffins

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You know you’re getting old (or growing up, however you want to look at it) when you get excited about a toilet paper deal. That was me yesterday. I bought 100 rolls of toilet paper for my ginormous household of two. Why not? It’s something you’re always going to need. Running out of toilet paper would be a disaster!

Now I just need to figure out how to extreme coupon…

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These lemon poppyseed mini muffins are just the thing for summer. They’re light and fresh, perfect for a poolside snack. Mini size snacks are great for parties because everyone can have a taste without getting too messy.

Recipe from She’s in the Kitchen

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Lemon Poppyseed Mini Muffins

Ingredients

  • zest of two large lemons
  • 6 tablespoons poppyseeds
  • 3 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
  • 1 and 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened, room temperature

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a mini muffin pan.
  2. Mix together the lemon zest, poppy seeds, flour, sugar, and baking powder.
  3. Add the eggs, vanilla, and milk. With mixture still on low, add the butter, a little at a time.
  4. Mix until the batter is smooth and creamy.
  5. Scoop batter into muffin tins. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
https://lovintheoven.com/lemon-poppyseed-mini-muffins/

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