Happy New Year! 2023 Popular Posts

2023 was a year of trying new things and re-direction here at Pig In Mud. I expanded the garden, and by end of season broke the far beds down and decided to keep it compact and at the patio. I also brought Barbie back to PIM in the fall, that turned out to be a good decision:@) Another thing that folks seem to like are my Dollar Tree posts. I've always said, DT is kind of like a scavenger hunt, you never know what you might find... And speaking of finding, I ♥ my St. Nick Foles $2 thrift store ornament:@) Thrift stores are still a big part of my Saturday morning rounds.

The blog remains a fun hobby for me, even as I'm entering my 14th year. Boy that's hard to believe... Looking ahead to 2024, I think I've created a posting schedule that's manageable for myself, and hope to continue sharing recipes, crafts, finds, and ideas that provide a little inspiration, or at least a fun quick peek while enjoying a cuppa!

On to the Top 3 Posts:

Always an adventure...

#3 Hooded Cape for Barbie and Kid Dolls

#2 Muffin Mix Waffles

And I am truly shocked...

#1 Pepperoncini Pickled Eggs!!!

Ha, I always chuckle as I create my picked egg post at Easter, and wonder if anyone really makes them? I'm glad to see folks do actually click to take a look:@)

Let's make 2024 an amazing year!

After all, 

we're the only ones that can do it:@)

Happy New Year!!!

Banana Nut Waffles -Bisquick Recipe

These Banana Nut Waffles are very good, and perfect with maple syrup. It's a Bisquick recipe that's pretty fail-proof. And while they call for adding minced nuts into the batter, I opted to toast them and sprinkle larger chopped nuts on top. Good stuff folks:@) I'm still working on getting 'the feel' for exactly how much batter I need to use per waffle... Getting close though! 

You know you want some:@)

Banana Nut Waffles-from Betty Crocker

2 C Bisquick

1 C mashed ripe banana

1 C milk

1/4 C finely chopped walnuts or pecans-I toasted and sprinkled mine on top instead

2 Tblsp vegetable oil

1 egg

1. Heat waffle iron, grease/spray it if that's what you do. My plates are still pretty new and non-stick.
2. Stir ingredients, pour onto waffle maker.
3. Close lid and cook until steaming stops, or per waffle maker instructions.
4. Serve with syrup, sliced bananas, powered sugar, etc.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

Muffin Mix Waffles

I thought it would be fun, and tasty, to try a Martha White Muffin Mix in my new mini Waffle Maker. What I love about this is, there are a ton of flavored mixes to choose from, and some -hello pumpkin- are seasonal favorites:@) I chose wild berry for today. It's super simple, add 1/2 C milk per 7 oz mix. That's it folks, done. A tip: To ensure fluffy waffles, cut back about 1 Tblsp on the milk, they will rise nicely. My waffles had a slightly crisp outside with a little bite, but some waffle experts may consider them more on the softer side. If you have a good feel for how much batter to add for your waffle iron, you can get four 5" waffles from one package of mix.

Now, I've seen some recipes that add an egg and call for 2/3 C milk. 

That's an option, but please note, you'll need two packs of mix for that. 

Muffin Mix Waffles-from Martha White

7 oz muffin mix

1/2 C milk, can cut back about 1 Tblsp

syrup, butter, fruit, whipped cream, etc. for serving if desired

1. Heat waffle maker.
2. Stir mix and milk, batter can be a little lumpy.
3. Spray waffle maker if desired.
4. Pour batter onto maker.
5. Cover and cook 3-5 minutes, to desired doneness.
6. Serve with toppings of choice.

Enjoy a sweet breakfast every now and then and 

have a happy day:@)

Healthier Oatmeal and Banana Waffles -A One Ripe Banana Recipe

I'll be the first to admit that I love kitchen toys, and have owned... Most of them. But one thing I've always looked at but passed on was a mini-waffle maker. You know the ones, they make one individual waffle at a time. Well, the holiday designs were $5 the day after Christmas at Walmart, so I grabbed the snowman figuring it would be good all winter, and then I can use the side with squares for the rest of the year. The first thing I made were these Oatmeal and Banana Waffles. I liked that I could use up one ripe banana, I'm always looking for more ways to use oatmeal, and that the batter didn't call for any additional sugar. For my pictures I dusted them with powdered sugar, but would definitely serve them with a sweeter syrup. Now, I'm not a waffle expert folks, but I will say upfront, these will not be crispy. Kinda more like ~really cute~ pancakes... I'm ok with that:@)

The recipe below will make approximately 3 of these 5" size waffles.

It's easily increased.

I can already see that the amount of batter per waffle is more of a "feel"

rather than a measurement.

I'll address that in a later post,

after I've played with the waffle iron a little more.

I'm impressed with the non-stick coating on the iron, it worked well:@)

Oatmeal and Banana Waffles-from somewhere down the rabbit hole of Pinterest...

1/2 C oatmeal-I used old fashioned oats

1 banana

1 egg

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp vanilla

1. Add all to blender, mix until smooth.
2. Pour onto preheated waffle iron.
3. Cook until baked through, per your waffle iron instructions.
4. Serve with syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, whipped cream, etc...

Eat well and have a happy day:@)