brunch – The Wild Gems

Ree Drummond’s Waffle Recipe Is The BEST EVER

January 30, 2023January 31, 2023 The Wild Gems2 Comments

I think I won some mom brownie points with these waffles this past weekend. They are scrumptious! And well, with a stick of butter of in there, of course they are!

Don’t you love when you try a new recipe and you are pleasantly surprised! Of course sometimes you try something new and you experience disappointment. But sometimes the recipe risk is the best thing ever!

I’ll be making these today and actually freezing them so my girls can eat them for the rest of the week. We topped our waffles with fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and maple syrup. I hope you enjoy these as much as our family did!

For the direct link to the recipe CLICK HERE

Ree Drummond Waffle Recipe

What You Need:

2 cups of all-purpose flour

1/4 cup of sugar

1 tablespoon of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 1/2 cups of milk (preferably whole milk)

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 eggs plus 2 additional egg whites

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted (original calls for salted, I’m just not a fan of salted butter)

Steps:

1. Mix the dry ingredients together (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt)

2. Mix the wet ingredients (milk, eggs, egg whites, vanilla extract, and melted butter)

3. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and mix well.

Enjoy!

Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Bites

September 2, 2022September 3, 2022 The Wild Gems3 Comments

These are delicious, you’ve been warned!

Makes 28- 30 donut bites

What You Need:

Start with 2 medium/large bowls and separate with wet ingredients and dry ingredients

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 cup of canned pure pumpkin

1 egg

1/3 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup of milk

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup of all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 brown sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Steps:

1. Mix together dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another bowl. The mix wet ingredients with dry ingredients into one bowl.

2. Butter 2 mini muffin pans and scoop a tablespoon into each muffin cup.

3. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 mins or until toothpick comes out clean. Oven time may vary.

4. While baking warm up 1 stick of butter in a small bowl until completely melted and mix together 2/3 cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon in another bowl.

5. Once the donut bites are done immediately toss in butter then sugar and cinnamon mixture one at a time. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

*** You can also make ahead. Batter can be left in the fridge for up to 3 days! ***

Pumpkin Spice Waffles

September 1, 2022September 1, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

A great way to start Fall. Full of flavor and so yummy! Enjoy!

Servings: 10-15 large waffles or 20 to 25 small waffles

What You Need:

Wet Ingredients:

3 large eggs

1 1/3 cup of milk

1/4 cup pure maple syrup (the real stuff)

3 tablespoons of unsalted melted butter

1 cup of canned pumpkin NOT THE WHOLE CAN (save the remaining pumpkin for a different treat)

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups of all purpose flour

1/4 cup packed of light brown sugar

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

1/4 teaspoon of salt or “a pinch”

2 teaspoons of pumpkin spice seasoning

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Steps:

1. In one large bowl mix together your dry ingredients. In another medium/large bowl mix together your wet ingredients.

2. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients.

3. Heat up your waffle iron to a high setting and cook as directed to your waffle maker. ***Since these are made with pumpkin they can have a difficult time getting to that crisp texture but I have a tip below!***

serve these with whipped cream and a cinnamon apple recipe!

Waffle Making Tips:

• a good indicator that your waffle is complete is little steam or no more steam is present.

• waffle maker didn’t make them crisp the way you like it? No problem. Once waffles are complete pop them into your oven or toaster oven at 250 and bake them for a bit. Delish! (Toaster worker too if you made them enough)

• would definitely recommend freezing. Store in a freezer safe bag using parchment paper to separate the waffles. If you know you’re going to be freezing while making then definitely don’t aim for waffle perfection. Cook them a little soft so when they are reheated they are perfect! A yummy quick breakfast!

The Best Way To “Malt O Meal”

June 15, 2022June 15, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

What You Need:

1 cup of milk

A pinch of salt

3 tablespoons of malt o meal

1 tablespoon of unsalted butter

2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup

Fresh strawberries

Chia seeds (optional)

Steps:

1. In a small pot bring together the milk, malt o meal and salt. Bring to a low medium heat, it will begin to bubble. Continuously stir for 3 to 5 mins.

2. Add the butter, maple syrup, and fresh berries. Enjoy!

My husband loves when I make this for him.

Sweet Crepes For Sweet Fillings

April 24, 2022April 25, 2022 The Wild Gems1 Comment

Servings: 12 to 15 crepes

What You Need:

A blender

1 cup of flour

2 eggs whisked

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 1/2 tablespoons of white sugar

1/2 cup of water

3/4 cup of whole milk

3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter plus extra for coating skillet

Steps:

1. Add the milk, eggs, water, vanilla extract, sugar, melted butter, and flour to the blender and blend for 10 seconds. (An extra pulse or 2 if there’s still a little flour stuck to the sides)

2. Set in refrigerator for 1 hour.

3. On a low medium heat, butter the pan and pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the pan and swirl it to evenly coat the bottom. When the edges begin to curl flip it over and allow the other side to cook (about 10 seconds).

4. Fill with desires fillings, fold, and top with powdered sugar or whip cream.

Enjoy!

Refreshing Fruit Salad With Honey Lime and Mint

April 19, 2022April 19, 2022 The Wild Gems1 Comment

What You Need:

6 cups of fresh mixed melon fruit such as cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew.

1 1/2 tablespoons of raw honey

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

2 teaspoons of lime juice

A pinch of salt

2 tablespoons of fresh chopped mint, and extra for garnish

Steps:

1. In a small bowl mix together the lemon, lime, honey and salt. Pour juice mixture over the chopped fruit.

2. Right before serving add the chopped mint and mix well.

*can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 12 hours*S

Enjoy!

Spicy-Sweet Candied Bacon With Cayenne Pepper And Brown Sugar

April 4, 2022April 4, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

Brunch anyone?

What You Need:

12 – 16 slices of bacon

1/3 cup of dark or light brown sugar

1 teaspoon of black pepper

1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Steps:

1. preheat the oven to 400.

2. Line a baking sheet with foil and place bacon strips on the sheet. (If you have a metal rack you can place that on the foil and then lay the bacon on that. This is optional and not absolutely necessary. If you don’t have a metal rack it will still come out yummy!)

3. Bake bacon for 12 minutes; when it’s sizzling and brown a little. Pull bacon out, flip the strips, and sprinkle on brown sugar mixture. Allow to bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes or to your liking.

4. Once done use tongs to lay on a plate and pat dry with a paper towel to soak up excess grease. Serve warm or room temperature!

Enjoy!

Spiked Lavender Lemonade Cocktail

February 24, 2022February 24, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

Servings: 2 cocktails

What You Need:

4-6 tablespoons of lavender syrup (give or take)

2 shots of gin

2 Sprigs of rosemary (don’t forget it, every time you sip you get this sweet aroma)

1 1/2 cups of Homemade lemonade divided into two glasses

1 cup of ice

Recipe for Homemade Lemonade

https://thewildgems.com/2021/12/30/homemade-lemonade/

Recipe For Lavender Syrup

https://thewildgems.com/2022/02/17/lavender-simple-syrup-mix-it-in-everything/

Steps:

1. Divide the lemonade into two glasses, and pour 2 tablespoons of lavender syrup into each glass.

2. Add a shot of gin to each glass.

3. Mix well, add ice, and place a sprig of rosemary into each drink.

Sip and enjoy! Add more lavender syrup if necessary.

Avocado Toast With Pan Roasted Grape Tomatoes And A Fried Egg

February 23, 2022February 23, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

Servings: 1 piece of toast

What You Need:

A piece of hearty multigrain bread

1 small ripe avocado

A small handful of grape tomatoes cut into halves

Salt, pepper, and rosemary for seasoning

1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic

1 Tablespoon of Olive oil for cooking the tomatoes

Cooking spray for the egg

Steps:

1. Heat up a small skillet on a low medium heat. While that is heating up slice open your avocado and smash it into a bowl seasoning it with salt and pepper.

2. Throw the tomatoes on the skillet in the olive oil and garlic. Sauté until soft. Set aside.

3. Spray the pan with cooking spray leaving behind a little bit of the leftover olive oil and garlic from the tomatoes and begin cooking your egg seasoning it with salt and pepper.

4. Place bread in toaster. (This is where you gotta move fast.)

5. Once the toast pops, smear on your avocado, place the roasted tomatoes right on top, place your fried egg gently on top of the tomatoes, season with some rosemary.