Krispy Kreme Waffles

Yes you read that right.  Waffles made out of Krispy Kreme donuts. I was looking for waffle recipes a couple of weeks ago.  I found this recipe. I knew I was going to have to try it.  It really is a good use of those day old donuts.  I have a few notes that I will share with you as we go along.

According to the recipe you can add butter and syrup to these, but I chose not to add it.  It seemed like a little too much.

 Preheat the waffle iron.  Mine had settings for darkness and I used 2 because I didn't want them to burn.

 Only one at a time would fit on the iron.

 I kept a close eye on the waffle iron because I wasn't sure how long it would take.  They weren't cooking just heating up.  As they are heating they smell just like the donut shop.

 I had to peek.  I think this one is about ready.  One problem.  Look at the melted sugar that is seeping between the squares.  Yes it did make a mess.  But if you wait for it to cool it pulls up pretty well.

 First one done. Start all over again with a second one.

Okay for my notes.  They were really good while they were warm but when they cooled they got a little firmer/hard.  Not too hard to eat but not the soft gooeyness you are use to.  It was a nice experiment to try but I probably won't make them again.  They are not as good as the "hot nows".  But I am glad I tried it.

Does it Work 6

It has been a while since I brought you a Does it Work.  I just have not found any new little hints until now.  Today you are getting two for the price of one.  They both are about onions.  The other week on the new Valerie Bertinelli cooking show she gave these two hints.  So of course I had to try them.

 Cutting onions make you cry?  Well this hint is for you.  Before you cut your onion...

 Place it in the microwave.

 Set for 30 seconds and start.

 Take the onion out and cut the tops off and get ready to chop.  Now I notice a stronger smell of onion than normal.

 Then chop.  Now I found that it was a little harder to cut.  And I cried more.  I'm not sure if it is because I used a sweet onion or not.  But I didn't find this hint to work.  You can try it and see if it works for you.

 Now here is the second hint.  After you cut an onion you know how your hands smell of onion, no matter how much you wash them.  Wet your hands and use soap but then..

Run your hands along the stainless steel faucet.  It is suppose to get rid of the onion smell.  Well guess what folks, It Works!!.  No more smelly onion hands.  I bet it would work for garlic smells too. Don't know why it works but it does.  I have tried this one several times and it works each time.

So today I have two onion related hints for you.  Give them a try today.

Strawberry M&M's Blondies

I love finding the special flavors of M&M's when I go to the store.  I will pick up a bag thinking I will find something special to make with them. Then I have to search for recipes.  Some flavors are easier than others to find recipes.  This time I had to make my own, sort of.  When I bought them I was thinking something chocolate to have the chocolate covered strawberry flavor.  That didn't happen.  These are a nice gooey blondie with a hint of strawberry.  Not bad.

The middle is nice and gooey and the outside a little crisp.  Perfect blend.

 The strawberry M&M's are just at Walmart for Valentine's Day.

 Start with 2/3 cup

 Melt it in the microwave

 Add 1 1/2 cups brown sugar

 2 eggs  Mix that well.

 2 cups all purpose flour

 1 teaspoon baking soda

 1 teaspoon salt

 1 teaspoon almond extract.  I would next time use either 1/2 teaspoon almond or leave it out all together and add extra vanilla.

 1 teaspoon vanilla

 Mix well.

 The recipe calls for a 9x13 baking dish.  This baking dish is between a 9x9 and a 9x13.  Not sure of the size.  I wanted the blondes to be a little thicker than putting them in the 9x13.  I also baked it for a couple extra minutes.

 Here's a close up of the M&M's.

 Sprinkle the m&m's on top and press them in. Place in a preheated 350 oven.  Bake for 25 minutes.  I added about 3 minutes with the smaller pan.

 Mine rose up around the m&m's so you really can't see them very well.

It doesn't matter that the m&m's can't be seen they are there and nice and gooey.

Strawberry M&M's Blondie Recipe

2/3 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 package strawberry m&m's

Preheat oven to 350.  Bake for 24 minutes.

Snow Day Cranberry Orange Waffles

The other morning they told us we would wake up to snow, but we didn't.  I had planned on making these waffles in honor of the snow day.  So I still did.  I almost called them Not a Snow Day Cranberry Orange Waffles.  Whether you get a snow day or not you need to try these waffles.  They are supper easy and taste good too.  There's something about the orange cranberry flavors together.  They just scream Christmas/Winter.  Well they are saying it is going to snow again tonight so try them tomorrow morning.

I probably need to start heating my syrup to make it even better.

 Keep some Craisins on hand so you can make these when you crave them.

 Start with 2 cups all purpose flour

 2 teaspoon baking powder

 2 Tablespoon sugar

 1 cup milk

 1 egg

 About 3 Tablespoons orange zest.  I didn't measure this.  I just zested one orange

 3 Tablespoons orange juice.  I juiced the orange that I zested.

 1 cup dried cranberries

 Mix well.

 Dip out mixture into a heated waffle iron.  I love that mine beeps when it is done.  No more lifting the lid to see if it is done.

 This is the first one off the iron.  I don't think you can see the little dots of cranberry, but they are there.

Drizzle with syrup and enjoy with a little bacon maybe.

Cranberry Orange Waffles Recipe
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 cup milk
1 egg
3 Tablespoons orange zest
3 Tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 cup dried cranberries

Simple Salisbury Steak

If I remember correctly salisbury steak was in the first frozen TV dinners.  I always associate the steak with frozen dinners.  And it came with mashed potatoes and peas and carrots.  So I tried to recreate this meal tonight minus the carrots.  There is something comforting about this meal on a cold winters night.  This recipe couldn't be any easier.  It only took a few minutes to put together and cook.  Not only is it comfort food but it is quick and easy comfort food.

I wish I had had a divided plate for our not so frozen TV dinner.

 The only thing you might need to make sure you have on hand is two packets of brown gravy.  I think I might try onion gravy next time.

 To 1 lb of ground beef/chuck add 1/3 cup bread crumbs

 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

 2 teaspoons ketchup

 1 teaspoon mustard

 1 teaspoon steak sauce

 Mix all that well.  It really mixes better if you use your hands.

 Then form them into the oblong patties.  Place in a skillet and cook on med-low heat.

 While the patties are cooking; mix up the gravy.  2 cups hot water

 Add both gravy packets

 1 teaspoon ketchup

 1/2 teaspoon steak sauce

 Turn the patties and cook on the other side.

 When the patties are almost done; pour the gravy on top.

 Let simmer.  The gravy will start thickening up.

 Spoon the gravy on top of the steaks.

Then serve with some mashed potatoes and peas.

Simple Salisbury Steak Recipe

1 lb ground beef
1/3 cup bread crumbs
2 teaspoon ketchup
1 teaspoon mustard
1 teaspoon steak sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Gravy
2 packets brown gravy
2 cups hot water
1 teaspoon ketchup
1/2 teaspoon steak sauce