Easter in the kitchen

Happy late Easter everyone!


Chris and I started our Easter at the beach. We took his guitar, sang a few worship songs and just enjoyed God's beauty. It was nice to have an hour outside without thinking about studying, housework, or other day to day tasks.

When we got home I made crepes for the first time ever.

They turned out pretty good. Here's the recipe I used.

1 cup flour
1 1/2 cups 2 % milk
3 egg eggs
1 tbsp oil
Butter
Powdered sugar
Fruit cut into small chunks
Cool whip

Mix the first 4 ingredients together with a hand mixer or in a blender (you don't want any lumps.) Heat a medium size frying pan and melt a small amount of butter in the bottom. Pour a 1/4 cup of batter into the bottom of the can. Swirl batter around the pan until it forms a solid circle. Cook the crepe until it starts to brown the take a spatula and flip it over.

You want it to look like this-->Once the crepe is done add cool whip and berries. Roll, sprinkle with powdered sugar and ENJOY! Repeat the steps and continue to enjoy. I wanted to put peanut butter in one of my crepes, but we didn't have any mixed so I'll have to try it next time.


I decided to make homemade rolls to go with our Roast, mashed potatoes, gravy and veggies. I used my Kitchenaid with the dough hook. It didn't take long and they were a delicious fresh and warm addition to dinner.

1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter (or margarine)
4-5 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 packages active dry yeast

Combine milk, water and butter in small saucepan. Heat over low heat until liquids are very warm (120 - 130° F).

Place 3-1/2 cups flour, in mixing bowl with sugar, salt and yeast. Stir to combine. Add warm liquid and mix until thoroughly combined. Gradually add remaining flour, mixing and kneading with each addition, until dough is no longer sticky. Continue kneading until shiny and elastic.
*By kneading I just let the dough hook do the work!

Place dough in greased bowl; cover with greased plastic wrap and heavy towel. Place in warm, draft-free area and let rise for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 425. Then pull the dough into pieces and rolled them into small balls. I placed them on a lined cookie sheet and baked them for about 12-15 minutes. Or until golden brown.

(We used the rolls again tonight for Sloppy Joes. I'm still not sure what we are going to do all the other left overs, but I'm sure I'll figure something out.)

Our good friend Kelly came over to have Easter dinner with us. She is also a Northern Californian transplanted into SoCal, so she couldn't be with her family for Easter and joined us. Chris ate, then headed back to the spare room to study. Kelly and I visited for a few hours and just enjoyed each others company.

Then for dessert we had.........

Strawberry swirl cheesecake. I made a small cheesecake since we didn't need a lot. Here is the recipe I found off the foodgawker website I love so much. I adjusted the recipe some and also used my mom's homemade jam (It was the really what made the cake.)

1 ¼ cups graham crumbs

¼ cup butter, melted
2 packet (8 oz each) I used low fat cream cheese, softened at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp flour
2 tbsp of lemon juice
1tbsp of vanilla
2 eggs
1/3 cup strawberry jam

1. Preheat oven to 325ºF. Spray 7inch spring form pan with cooking spray.

2. Mix crumbs and butter together and press firmly into bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes while you mix the batter.

3. Beat cream cheese, sugar, flour and lemon juice in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition, just until blended. Pour over crust.

4. Heat up strawberry jam slightly in the microwave. Gently drop jam by small spoonfuls over top of batter. Cut through batter several times with knife for marble effect.

5. The recipe said to bake the cake for 40 minutes, but I ended up cooking it much longer. I probably ended up cooking it for 1hour and 10 minutes. Once the center was a solid jiggle I took it out and it was cooked perfectly.


As you can see I spent most of Easter in the kitchen. I had a great time and enjoyed doing what I love. I can tell you, I slept very well that night. I was beat. No one ever said cooking wasn't exhausting.