Festive Eggnog Pancakes (can be whole wheat!)

So I recently did a post about these awesome eggnog muffins. I originally made them because I had some eggnog leftover from when my sister came over. Well, needless to say, I loved these muffins so much that I bought some eggnog to make some more. And what do you know, I still have eggnog left in the fridge. And so begins that vicious cycle of leftover eggnog.

I figured I should make something else besides the muffins. And since my husband was off from work yesterday, I decided to make something for breakfast besides our usual bowls of oatmeal. So I made pancakes. With eggnog. Oh, and I added a little extra nutmeg and cinnamon just to emphasize the fact that these were eggnog pancakes.

I made the pancakes with whole wheat flour, but you could use white flour or a mix of white and whole wheat. The pancakes were delicious and fluffy. You could eat these with maple syrup, butter or jam, but I highly recommend eating them with a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. I think the milk adds to the spirit of the eggnog pancake.

They were fluffy and delicious and oh so festive.

Merry Christmas to you and your families!

Pulled Pork Enchiladas with Spiced Tomato Sauce

A couple of month ago, I wrote about nesting, freezer meals and preparing for the arrival of our first child. Well, our daughter arrived at the end of September, and boy am I glad that I took the time to stock up the freezer! For those days when you just don't have time to think about lunch or dinner, these make ahead meals really save the day!

One of the make ahead dishes that I already shared with you was my Roasted Chicken (or pork) Enchiladas with Salsa Verde, Sour Cream and Cilantro Sauce. 

In addition to those enchiladas, I also made another variation of this dish with a spiced tomato sauce.  After a long, cold day, we pulled one out of the freezer last night and happily enjoyed this warm, homemade but pre-made meal.  It was so comforting on such a cold day, but because it had been made in advance, it took only an hour in the oven, and literally no work!

(It doesn't have to be leftover) Eggnog Muffins

During the holidays, there is an abundance of eggnog to drink. Not only can you buy it and drink it plain, but you can also drink it in a bar with rum, at a coffee shop in a latte and of course, at every holiday party that you attend.

Not only that, but eggnog makes an appearance in a plethora of food items as well. Eggnog cookies, eggnog cupcakes, eggnog ice cream... the list goes on and on.

A lot of people buy eggnog to have at their house for entertaining. I, however, am not one of those people. I rarely buy eggnog because I honestly don't really like to drink it. But, I just happened to have some leftover eggnog in my fridge this week because my sister brought some over. So, like many others out there, I went online to figure out what I could do with this leftover eggnog. And I came across some eggnog muffins that seemed like they might do the trick.

Nutella Pinwheel Cookies

'Tis the season for cookies and cookie swapping! Every year, my sister and I host a cookie swap. Each of the attendees bakes enough of one kind of cookie to give half a dozen to each person. That means, if there are 10 other people, you arrive with 5 dozen of the cookies you baked and leave with 5 dozen cookies that are 10 different varieties! 

I love this event, especially this year when I am crunched for time with a newborn. Essentially, I can make 1 type of cookie and end up with 10 kinds, many of which I have never tried before! 

This year, I wanted to make a simple cookie and one that I could make ahead. That way, I could make the dough at any point in the month leading up to the cookie swap, and bake them fresh the day before. I though the perfect choice would be a sliced icebox cookie. 

The tough decision was the filling. I was toying with making a cranberry orange compote for the inside or using my favorite jam, and then it hit me. Nutella. Who doesn't love Nutella? So, the nutella pinwheel cookie was born.

Heartwarming Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

It's getting cold outside. This means, that it's time for some heartwarming soups. Thankfully, I had anticipated this need a couple of months ago before our little one arrived and made a huge pot of gumbo, portioned it, and froze it for times like these!

Okay, perhaps it was more of a craving than anticipating my future need. But whatever the case, I made lots, ate a bunch and froze the rest. And I sure am thankful for it now.

The first time I had gumbo was actually when I lived in Austin. I worked in a restaurant that served this amazing seafood gumbo. It was slightly spicy, and so flavorful and rich. I have thought time and again of trying to recreate it, but never gotten around to it. Then one day, I was wandering around the grocery store and saw that Campbell's had a Chicken and Sausage Gumbo. I thought I would try one. And to be honest, for store bought soup, it was delicious. But it also furthered my determination to make my own.