Today I decided to take the day off and relax. But that doesn't stop me from making reservations for Sunday! I think well as of right now, Corey and I are going to a cute restaurant called Burtons. It has a cool atmosphere that just screams romance. So all of this reservation making has got food on the brain; which reminds me of my overall inspiration for everything, Ina Garten. You may have seen her on the Food Network, or if you have ever been to the Hamptons you may recognize her restaurant, Barefoot Contessa. But anywho I decided to look up her recipes on her website and it gave me some good ideas for my week off.
Banana Sour Cream Pancakes (Makes 12 pancakes)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
2 extra-large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Unsalted butter
2 ripe bananas, diced, plus extra for serving
Pure maple syrup
Frozen Berries with Hot White Chocolate (Serves 6)
2 half-pints raspberries
2 half-pints blueberries
1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced thick
1 cup heavy cream
10 ounces good white chocolate (not chips), chopped
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Peach Raspberry Shortcakes (Makes 6 to 8 shortcakes)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), diced
2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled
1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water or milk, for egg wash
To assemble:
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and thinly sliced
1 pint raspberries
Zest of 1 orange removed in long strips
Honey Vanilla Pound Cake (Makes one 8-inch loaf)
½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature (see note)
1¼ cups sugar
4 extra-large eggs at room temperature
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 cups sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins (Makes 16 muffins)
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
8 ounces (about 1 cup) sour cream
1/4 cup milk
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 half-pints fresh blueberries, picked through for stems
Preheat the oven to 350
