I was craving pancakes, so I decided to whip some up at home. I've tried quite a few pancake recipes, but this simple one turned out the best. Buttermilk is the key ingredient- regular milk doesn't turn out as good. I got the main recipe from here with a few minor changes. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  

• 1 egg
  
• 1 1/8 cups buttermilk
  
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

What to do...

1. Preheat and lightly grease a large skillet.
2. Mix the flour, salt, and baking soda together in a bowl. Add the egg, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and butter; stir together lightly, but keep it lumpy. The batter should look thick, spongy, and puffy.
3. Drop 1/3 cup of the batter onto the cooking surface, spreading lightly with the bottom of the cup. Cook until lightly-browned on each side, 1 to 2 minutes per side.

Best. Thing. Ever. This is so great when you are craving something sweet, but don't feel like making a whole batch of something sweet. It's quick, easy, and hits the spot. Another pinterest winner. I got the recipe from here. 

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• 1 Tablespoon Granulated White Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon of firmly packed Dark Brown Sugar
• 3 Drops of Vanilla Extract
• Small Pinch of Kosher Salt
• 1 Egg Yolk (discard the egg white or save for different recipe)
• Scant ¼ of All Purpose Flour (slightly less than ¼ of a cup)
• 2 heaping tablespoons of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Instructions

1. Start by melting your butter in the microwave. Butter should just be melted, not boiling.
2. Add sugars, vanilla and salt. Stir to combine.
3. Separate your egg and add the yolk only to your cup. Stir to combine.
4. Add flour, then stir again. Measure a scant, slightly less than full, ¼ cup of all-purpose flour.
5. Add the chocolate chips, and give a final stir. Now your mixture will look like cookie dough.
6. Cook in microwave 40-60 seconds, start checking for doneness at 50 seconds. I microwaved mine for about 70 seconds. Just like a regular cookie, this will continue cooking as it cools. If the cookie is dry or cake like, try less time.
7. Serve warm.

My friend made these buffalo chicken wraps a few weeks ago at a potluck, and I was surprised by how good they were, despite the simplicity of the flavors. You can make your own homemade buffalo sauce (recipe below) or use store bought. Either way, its an easy and quick meal.

Ingredients:
1 Ib chicken breast/thigh cut into cubes
1 tablespoon oil

Buffalo sauce:
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup hot sauce
a pinch of ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon white vinegar

Tortilla wraps
Ranch dressing
Tomatoes
Lettuce
Cheese

What to do....
1. Heat a skillet with the oil. When the oil is hot (but not smoking), toss in the chicken cubes.
2. Cover the skillet and cook on medium heat for 15-20 or until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the buffalo sauce (you can skip this step if you are using store bought buffalo sauce).  In a separate saucepan, melt the butter. Once melted, add hot sauce, ground black pepper, white vinegar, and garlic powder. Stir on low heat until everything is well blended. 
4. Once the chicken is fully cooked, combine it with the sauce. Stir until all chicken pieces are covered evenly in the buffalo sauce. 
5. Prepare your wrap. Spread some ranch dressing evenly in your wrap. Put in the chicken and any other desired topping (tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, etc.). 

Another Pinterest recipe winner. I got the general idea from Pinterest, but altered the recipe a bit. I used mini peppers which took a while to stuff, so normal sized peppers are probably a better idea ;).

Ingredients:
15-20 mini multi colored peppers OR 3-5 large peppers
1/2 cup orzo pasta
1/2 cup cooked ground beef (whichever way you cook your ground beef is fine)
1/4 cup tomatoe juice
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste

What to do...
1. Cook orzo until slightly cooked (but not fully because it will cook more in the oven). Drain.
2. In a pot on medium heat on the stove top, mix slightly cooked orzo, cooked ground beef, tomatoe juice, and salt, garlic powder, pepper, red pepper flakes.
3. Cook until most of the moisture has evaporated, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Pre-heat oven to 400 degress.
5. Let the orzo mixture cool.
6. While the orzo mixture is cooling, cut the tops and middle (with all the seeds) of your peppers.
7. Once the orzo mixture has cooled, spoon the mixture into the peppers until completely full. Place the filled peppers in a baking dish.
8. When all your peppers are filled, cover baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the over for 25 minutes.

Warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream is basically the best dessert ever. I made this during thanksgiving break and it turned out so good. I got the recipe from a friend and tweaked it a little bit.

Ingredients: 
Crust: 

• 1-3/4 cup flour  (about 9 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1-1/2 sticks butter (12 tablespoons), cut into slices
• 1/4 cup ice water (approximately)

Pie crust in 60 seconds: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWnq-JgghkQ

Filling:
1/3 to 2/3 cups of sugar
1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
some vanilla
2-3 large apples, peeled and cut into cubes
2 tablespoons melted butter

What to do...
1. Make crust according to video above. 
2. Mix all the ingredients for the pie filling. Set aside.
3. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
4. Using 3/4 of the pie crust mixture, spread out using a rolling pin. Place crust in the bottom of a pie pan. Using a fork, poke holes all around the bottom.
5. Cook in the oven for about 10-15 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, use a rolling pan to spread out the remaining crust. Cut into strips.
7. Once crust has baked for 10-15, remove from the oven and put filling mixture into the pie pan.
8. Using the strips of crust dough, create a basket/weave by placing the strips horizontally, then vertically. 
9. Bake in the oven for another 45 minutes, or until top is golden brown.
10. Cool before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream. 

A recipe that is super easy, low carb/fat, and healthy= success! You can make it as an appetizer, snack, or light lunch. It takes about 10 minutes to put together.

Ingredients:
1 can of tuna (preferably in water)
1 tablespoon low fat mayo
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 stalks of celery, cut up into small peices
2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste

2 Tortillas ( preferably flavored: jalapeño cheddar, spinach, etc.)- this recipe makes enough for 2 tortillas

What to do...

1. Drain the tuna. Make sure to get rid of as much water as possible.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Lay tortilla flat on a plate. Spread about 1-2 tablespoons of the tuna mixture on the tortilla.
4. Roll up the tortilla tightly. Using a sharp knife, cut vertically into small bite-size sections.

Pinterest. You gotta love it. You find so many ideas for food, crafts, designs, clothing, and so much more. The only problem is that they make it all look so easy. And all the food looks so good. I got this recipe from Pinterest. It tastes delicious- very authentic as well. But not everything on Pinterest is actually good. I've made a few recipes that turned out disasterous. So just because you find it on Pinterest doesn't mean it'll be a success. This one is though ;). This recipe is from the following link: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2008/07/sweet-and-sour-chicken-updated.html

INGREDIENTS:
Chicken:
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil

Sauce:
3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While the oil is heating, cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch in a gallon-sized ziploc bag. Put the chicken into the bag with the cornstarch and seal, tossing to coat the chicken. Whisk the eggs together in a shallow pie plate. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in the egg and place them carefully in a single layer in the hot skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes and then flip each piece over to cook on the other side until nicely golden but not all the way cooked through. Place in a single layer in a baking dish and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.

Mix the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and pour over the chicken in the baking dish. Bake for one hour, turning the chicken once or twice while cooking to coat evenly with sauce. Serve over hot, steamed rice.

A simple, easy-to-make banana nut bread with chocolate chips. Recipe from here with a few minor changes.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup diced walnuts

2/3 cup mini chocolate chip
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large ripened bananas
1/2 cup butter
2 whole eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
   
2. Hand mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, walnuts, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract in mixing bowl until chocolate chips and walnuts are evenly spread out throughout mixture.
3. In another bowl, mash bananas and add to the main mixing bowl.
4. Soften the butter and add to the main mixing bowl.
5. Add two whole eggs to main mixing bowl.
6. Mix all ingredients together until it has a batter-like consistency.
7. Pour into greased loaf pan.
8. Bake at 350°F for an hour or until toothpick inserted in the banana bread comes out clean.
   

Pizza bites make great appetizers or snacks to take with you when you're on the go. This recipe is from here.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
pinch of salt (my addition, optional)
pinch of red pepper flakes (my addition, optional)
3/4 cup whole milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Any "toppings" (peppers, onions, etc.)
1/2 cup pizza sauce

What to do...
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 24-cup mini-muffin pan.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes (if using) ; whisk in the milk and egg. Stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan and any desired "toppings"; let stand for 10 minutes.

3. Stir the batter and divide among the mini-muffin cups. Bake until puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, microwave the pizza sauce until warmed through. Serve the puffs with the pizza sauce for dipping.