Smashed Potatoes

Such a fun, easy and quick way to cook potatoes. If I were doing this for a crowd I would skip the microwave and just bake the potatoes first, then smash and continue with the recipe.

5-6 small potatoes
Olive oil
Salt & Pepper
Rosemary or other spices as desired


Preheat oven to 400. Pierce potatoes and place on a paper plate, being sure they do not touch. Microwave for 6-7 minutes and check with a fork to see if they are soft. If not, continue to microwave a couple more minutes and check again. When they are fork tender, dump onto a large baking sheet. Using the paper plate, smash each potato. Drizzle with olive oil and desired spices. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the edges look brown and crispy. Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Blender Pancakes

These are a bit different than my Mom's recipe,  but I like them even better. They are nice and fluffy, and easy to whip up! When I'm low on milk, I substitute powdered milk. To equal 1 cup, mix 1 cup water + 3 T Non-instant powdered milk or 6 T instant (but check the package instructions if you have them, as especially the instant kind varies by brand). Recipe adapted from http://www.tasteandtellblog.com/whole-wheat-blender-pancakes/.

• 1 1/2 cups milk, divided
• 1 cup whole wheat berries
• 4 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil or melted butter

Place 1 cup milk and the wheat in blender. Blend 2-3 minutes until thick and like mush. Add the rest of the milk (1/2 cup) and the remaining ingredients. Blend for 2-3 more minutes. Cook on a hot griddle. Makes about 18 pancakes if using 1/4 cup per pancake.