Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

This is my go to recipe not only for apple cinnamon pancakes, but for the plain cakes in general.  I got it from a work breakfast about 4 years ago from an unexpected source.  It's seriously a staple in my recipe book.  I can't even explain how delicious these are.  Simple and delicious.  Try them out for yourself!

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
1 1/2 cups flour
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tbsp butter - melted
1 apple - peeled, cored, chopped

Mix dry ingredients and set aside.  In a separate bowl mix together milk and egg.  Melt butter.
When the skillet is ready, add the milk to the flour mixture and stir briefly until just combined.  Add in butter and apple and mix.  Do not overmix.  Serve with butter and your favorite syrup!

Mushroom and Chicken Saucy Goodness - in under an hour

Had a stroke of brilliance last night.  I had a vague idea of what to make, but even I didn't expect it to come together so nicely.  It turned out to be this deliciously moist chicken breast in a creamy mushroom sauce, served over some fluffy mashed potatoes.  I was definitely patting myself on the head, especially, when I saw that it took just a few minutes over an hour to make altogether.

Chicken in a Mushroom Sauce

4-5 chicken breasts
flour to coat
salt pepper
olive oil
1/2 onion
8-12 oz baby bella mushrooms (depending on preference)
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth + a few tbsp
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cloves garlic
parsley

Cut chicken breasts in half, salt and pepper, and coat in flour.
Place and sautee on hot skillet with olive oil until golden brown and cooked inside, about 15 min.

In another skillet, sautee chopped onion and mushrooms until tender.  Transfer to a bowl.
Melt butter and whisk in flour in hot skillet.  Continue whisking until blended and the flour mixture bubbles.  Keep whisking the bubbles for about 2-3 minutes.  Add the chicken broth and whisk.  Keep whisking until thickened.  There's a pattern here...whisk.  Add in mushrooms and onions and heavy cream.  Add chicken and chopped garlic to the sauce.  Cover with lid and let simmer on LOW for about 15 min.  If the sauce is too thick, add more chicken broth and bring back to simmer.

Serve with parsley, over mashed potatoes or rice.  Rejoice!