Albino Bisquit Brownies? Ewwww.....

About 2 weeks ago, I made a fatal mistake or at least it seemed so at the time.  I was deep into the idea of making breakfast for dinner.  Flour was flying all over the kitchen.  I wanted to amaze the family with my scrambled eggs & bacon skills.  I was harboring thoughts of homemade buttermilk bisquits & gravy.  I might have even tried to whip up some chocolate gravy.   Who am I kidding there?  I was just thinking of bisquits because we didn't have any of those can ones in the house.  My inner Martha S. was shining brightly. Who am I kidding now?  Martha is too uptight.  And, really it was Christy Jordan & Ree Drummond.  Yep, I had to mention my BFF-Gonna-Be-Someday-Gals.

So, I was all into getting the butter properly crumbled with the flour.  I added vinegar to milk and made some buttermilk.  I let it all chill out in the refrigerator and it was looking good. Pretty Dang Good.   BUT.........at the last minute I forgot to add just a cup & a half of buttermilk.  I added 2 cups.  DANG, that wasn't so good.   It looked like really messed up pancake batter.  In my efforts to waste not..........I then dumped in a large scoop of flour to the mess  I crossed my fingers, said a prayer and properly dumped it into a brownie pan.  I threw the pan in the oven and hoped for the best.  The family was expecting toast at this point.  Who would honestly expect this to turn out?  The kids were skeptical.  I doubted my skills and started dragging out the toaster.  

After about 20 minutes, we pulled it out and it looked like a pan of "Albino Brownies."  It tasted like a big pan of bisquits,  DANG GOOD BISQUITS,  without all the rolling and cutting.  I am now their biggest fan.  I ate them the next day for breakfast...and the next day too.

Here is the low-down on the stuff I might be calling "Albino Bisquits" or "Dang Good Bisquits." 

2 1/2 cups self-rising flour

1 stick butter, softened

2 cups buttermilk

a heaping 1/2 cup of regular flour

Mix up the flour & butter until it is crumbly.  Put it back into the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to re-chill.

I used the kitchen aide mixer.  Don't judge the lazy, please.

Stir in the buttermilk.  Add the remaining flour.

Pour it into a brownie pan and bake for about  25 minutes at 350*.

That's it people.  You get all the goodness of a homemade buttermilk bisquit and none of the mess.

EVERYONE WINS HERE!!!    Now....run cut yourself a slice and think of me!


Now, what should they be named?

sorry...not a good picture....

ps...if you have never made buttermilk...don't fret too much.  All you do is measure out a tablespoon of cider vinegar or lemon juice.  Dump it in a 1 cup measuring glass and add the remaining in milk.  Let it rest for a few minutes.  It will get all nasty looking.  You won't be wanting a drink of milk either.

Strawberry Pie...oh my.....

Did I mention STRAWBERRY PIE?  Fresh STRAWBERRY PIE!!

My husband wanted this for his birthday dinner  this year.  Usually, he asks for carrot cake.  It is always a good choice.  This year, the big guy changed his mind!!!   Can I get an AMEN now?? 

This pie is one step above amazing.  This is the stuff dreams are made of.  Are you drooling yet??  Trust me here!!!   I am drooling!   I am also kinda sad because there wasn't any left this morning after the kids finished it off.   Grrr.....

First you have to make this crust...don't worry!  It is super easy and totally looks like it was difficult.  It will impress all around you!!!  

Super Easy Pie Crust

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt..   (I have been using kosher salt.)

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

2 Tablespoons milk

1/2 cup cooking oil

Combine the dry stuff in the pie pan.  Slowly add in the milk & oil.  It looks really disgusting before it is all mixed together.  Just don't look at it too closely.  Mix it together with a fork and mash it all together to fit the pan.  Bake at 350* until browned...which should be between 10 and 15 minutes.  Let this cool before you add the pie stuff.

Strawberry Pie

1 cup sugar

3 heaping Tablespoons of cornstarch

3 Tablespoons of strawberry jello mix

1 cup water

1 pint of strawberries,  hulled and halved

In a medium saucepan, combine everything except the berries.

Stir well and cook over medium heat until the get stuff is thick and clear.  Stir this constantly to prevent scorching.  Set it aside until cooled down.

Arrange the berries in the pre-cooked pie crust.  

Pour the strawberry gel stuff over the berries and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Top with whipped cream if you like.   I will pass on that.  I'm a purist.

PLEASE INVITE ME OVER FOR DESSERT NOW!

I can't claim fame to these recipes.  They came from my new favorite book.  

The Southern Plate by Christy Jordan.

This is the link to her website.  She is the girl who gave me the recipe for her peanut butter frosting.  Yes, I like to think that we are BFF's.  Someday, Christy, Ree & I will get together and drink ice tea on the deck at the ranch.  After that, we will contemplate the meaning of life & donuts.

http://www.southernplate.com/

Chicken & Veggie Marinade

I found this recipe in a magazine a few summers ago.  I am not sure what kind of magazine it was.  But I know it wasn't one of those subscriptions I pay for yearly.
This recipe just does something incredible to grilled chicken.....

1/3 cup grapefruit juice... (Orange juice can be subbed here.)
1/3 cup olive oil
1 package of good seasons dry italian dressing mix ( It comes in a box with 4 packages.)

Combine all that together and let the chicken marinade in this for an hour or two.  I just throw it all in a large ziploc and rotate around every so often.   (This can also be thrown all in a bag and frozen for up to 3 months.)
.....or just brush on veggies and grill.

If you are familiar with SaltGrass steakhouse....  This tastes like the marinade they use on their poultry & vegetables.  Try it and tell me what you think!

I didn't brush it on the pineapples here.  I just cut it up and threw on the grill.  Grilled pineapple is amazing.  Try it.  You can use either a fresh one or just buy a can of rings.  Either way, it is good!


I always grill extra chicken.  It makes a great chicken salad.  Chop it all up with one of the pineapple slices.  Add some mayo and toasted pecans and whatever else you want in your salad...Amazing Stuff there.

PINSPIRATION..........

I saw the cutest little poster on Pinterest today and knew I could make it.  This baby will go upstairs in the man cave.  I want to find a frame at the thrift shop to bang around, distress and paint black-ish-brown.  So....tell me what you think?  

Should I go ahead & posterize it at Costco?  

Should I go ahead & find the frame?  

Should the coffee stains be lighter & more like watermarks?  

Should the watermarks in the second one be darker?  

Should I just leave it without the coffee & watermarks?  

Should I grunge the background paper more?

Should the background be plain white? 

Maybe I should let the "man child" decide which one he likes?  Who am I kidding here?  

He won't be able to tell the difference & I'll do whatever I want anyway.

Awwww...Decisions Decisions.  My brain is spinning too fast...I need some caffeine soon.