Filled pancakes

How is your summer going? We are loving it here. My son has been asking me to make him "SNEHULKY" as he calls in Czech; the yummy filled pancakes. Snehulky is a made up the Czech word for small snow balls and it is perfect for what they are. I was introduced to this deliciousness by my old Czech friend Monika, here in California and it has become our weekend special treat since. They are called ebelskiver in Denmark and can be made sweet or savory. We make them with sweet fillings, usually bananas, blueberries and/or chocolate chips (of course!).   The are a perfect choice for  brunch, but trust me, your kids and grown ups will inhale them at any time. They are best when served warm. Let's get this whipping going!

You will need to get an ebelskiver pan first, but once you have it you will  not regret your purchase.  It usually comes with special utensils for turning, but I like to be frugal with money and use plain chop sticks. Kids love helping to fill the little wells and I think with Father's Day coming up, this can be a big hit for your family too.

Ingredients:

2 cups of all-purpose flour

1tsp. baking soda

1/2tsp salt

1 Tbs sugar

4 eggs, separated

2 cups of milk

4 Tbs unsalted butter, melted

plus extra for cooking

Fillings: you can use jam, peanut butter, chocolate chips, fruit, cup up chocolate bars, what ever your heart desires. We made them with ricotta, grated apple and cinnamon once and they were wonderful.

Directions:

In a bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
In a small bowl whisk the egg yolks and then whisk in the milk with melted butter. Combine the flour mixture with the eggs yolk until you create batter. Do not worry it is going to be a bit lumpy.
In another bowl, with electric mixer, beat the egg whites on high until stiff, for about 3mins.
Using rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Do not over mix!!
Put 1/4 tsp. butter in each well of the ebelskiver pancake pan. Set over medium heat until butter begins to bubble but not burn.
Pour about 1 Tbs. batter into each well and right away put the filling of your choice in the center. Top it off with about 1Tbs. of batter. Cook until the bottom is golden and crispy, about 3-5 mins.
Using the chop sticks, flip the pancakes over and cook the other side.
For big parties, keep your oven on warm and put the pancakes in to keep them warm before serving them. Transfer to a plate and serve with maple syrup.

For purchasing Ebelskiver pancake pan go to:
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/calphalon-simply-nonstick-ebelskiver-pan-puff-pancake-pan?ID=571762&cm_mmc=Google_Feed_pla_pe-_-adtype-pla-_-target-19586772875-_-kw-&gclid=CPXwrZTPwbACFQkaQgodiGyWWQ
or:
http://www.target.com/s/aebleskiver+pan#?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google&CPNG=kitchen&adgroup=cookware&LNM=Aebleskiver%20pan&MT=broad&LID=26p367163&KID=7d77a79c-2878-26a9-bb7a-0000540e38ca
or:
http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Danish-Ebleskiver-Pan/dp/B00004RFPL

Eggplant Spread

Ok. So I have been so excited about this summer vacation but I feel like ever since I took my first grader to school for the last time, I haven't been able to sit down. Play dates, swim parties, lunches, dinners, house projects. I'm not complaining just realizing why some parents prefer their kids to be at school. I haven't been able to have my kitchen to myself and do my "magic." I'm sorry and please bare with me as I will try to organize my time better during this summer break.

I have been meeting my friends for lunches with our children and thought that next time we meet I should definitely bring one of my dips that I like to make. And why not this yummy one with eggplant. It is very healthy and super easy to make. I serve it with warm crostini or crackers.

Ingredients:

3 medium eggplants, halved

4 cloves garlic, peeled and very thinly sliced

12 1-inch pieces fresh thyme

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

salt+pepper

3 Tbsp. minced fresh herbs (I used parley and basil)

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Arrange eggplant cut side up on a baking sheet. Make slits in eggplant and insert garlic and thyme. Drizzle with 2 Tbsp. oil and season with about 1/2 tsp of salt.

2. Bake until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool for 20 mins. Scoop flesh into a food processor. Add herbs, 2 Tbsp. oil and lemon juice. Pure until smooth. Pulse with salt+pepper to combine. Please pair it up with a glass of your favorite sparkling wine or a summer cocktail and use the leftovers as a spread on veggie sandwiches.

/photos by me/

Gold Fish Chicken

Born in the former Czechoslovakia I was pretty much raised on schnitzels of any kind. Chicken, veal, pork...you name it. We just loved them all. Our favorite snacks (yes we use to bring snacks in form of big sandwiches to school) were schnitzel sandwiches. We ate them with potato salad, mashed potatoes, and lots of pickles. After moving away from what is now called Czech Republic, I started eating much different. No more schnitzels and fried food. But I couldn't help it and introduced my childhood dream food to my son and started making schnitzels for him.  It seems as that is the only meat he will eat. In case you are wondering, he categorizes him self as "Pastavore."

A mom on my son's baseball team once told me how she breads her chicken in crumbs of gold fish snacks and bakes them. So I also gave it a try and put a new twist on my meal.  It is so fast and since we try to eat super healthy, I'm not concerned with the nutritional value. My picky eater gets a protein in him and I'm happy. After all, we live only once. Hope your boys and girls will enjoy this as much as my Pastavore. I serve them with mashed potatoes and cucumber salad. Yes, Czech Style!!

Ingredients:

1-2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup of  white flour

2 cups of gold fish snacks

2 breast of chicken

salt+pepper

oil for frying if you choose to do so

Directions:

The fun part is to prepare the crumbs with your kids. Put the snacks in the zip lock bag and have them crush it with meat tenderizer. Put it in a bowl. Slice up the meat into small strips and lay them flat. Sprinkle with generous amount of salt and little bit of pepper on both sides. Drench them in white flour and dip in the egg mix. Finish the tenders with coating of prepared golf fish crumbs.

You are ready to go. So simple, right? To cook them, either bake in oven on about 400F for about 30 minutes depending on the thickness of the meat or fry them. I fry mine. I have been using grape seed oil and it seems to work but in the past I also used canola or safflower oil. You will have to try to see what you like better. Do not over cook them since you want the meat to be nice and juicy. Please let me know how your kids liked this chicken recipe.  Would you rather have have a "Happy Meal"?  Enjoy!

/all photos by me/

Welcome summer vacation

Finally, it's here. After 10 months of homework, spelling tests, school projects and a lot of hours volunteering, our family is entering the happy state of life called Summer Vacation! We are so thrilled and excited we can barely stand it.  We are starting with a family Bar Mitzvah event that lasts all weekend long which includes swimming, eating and drink indulging.  We'll be home tomorrow night and my son just asked for his favorite "Gold Fish Chicken" recipe dinner. After eating out for couple of days, there is nothing better than a home made meal. I always make "what ever the house gives me soup" as I call it...and will post the result this upcoming week. As fas as chicken, here we go...