….. recipes, traveling around the States.

This is a fabulous recipe - especially if your kids refuse to eat plain oatmeal (this is a great way to give them something warm and filling before school).

When you bite into it, you may think you’re biting into a warm-from-the-oven oatmeal cookie….. this is how good this breakfast treat tastes….. it is a real treasure.

“Chi trova un amico, trova un tesoro.” Translation “He who finds a friend finds a treasure.”

Baked Oatmeal

All you need:
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
(Additional milk)

Do this:
In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and butter. Stir into oat mixture until blended.

Spoon into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until set.

Serve warm (9 servings).

Tip: It’s wonderful served with milk.

….. fresh baking is like a home without laughter.

When I was in Florida, I loved, loved, loved doughnuts….. but getting hold of the real thing here in Denmark can be close to impossible.

This recipe is very easy and sooooooooooooo delicious….. and it beats any store-bought doughnut.

Sunny Saturday Morning Doughnuts

All you need:
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons orange juice
4 teaspoons grated orange peel
Oil for deep-fat frying
confectioners’ sugar

Do this:
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

Combine the eggs, milk, oil, orange juice and peel; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Turn onto a floured surface; roll to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. doughnut cutter.

In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry doughnuts, a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Dust warm doughnuts with confectioners’ sugar. (approx: 20 doughnuts).

Tip: if you enjoy homemade pastries for breakfast, but don’t have time to bake each morning. You can devote 1 day a month to bake large batches of cinnamon rolls, doughnuts and muffins. Place them in heavy-duty resalable plastic bags labeled with the date (they freeze for about 2 months). On busy mornings, it’s a snap to pop a few in the microwave to warm….. and your kids will love the fresh-baked flavor.

….. good food is like a summer without sun - for some people it might be acceptable, but for us here in paradise, it is unthinkable.

Italian Proverbs: ”Chi mangia da solo, muore da solo” / Translation: ” He who eats alone dies alone.”

Food is best enjoyed in company. Celebrate being with loved ones with a great feast….. don’t wait for a special occasion. Being alive and with people you love is cause for celebration.

Invite your friends over to share this Strawberry Tiramisu - it will be a crowd pleaser.

Tiamisú bianco con fragole (White Tiramisu with strawberries)

All you need (6 servings):
2 eggs (separated into whites and yolks)
150 g icing sugar
350 g of mascarpone
6 tbsp. milk
1 ¼ marsala wine
20 savoiardi kex
40 g chopped almonds
55 g white chocolate (coarsely grated)
Fresh strawberries (halved)

Do this:
Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until it becomes white. Add mascarpone and whip.

Whisk the egg whites in another bowl until they are stiff, and then add them to the mascarpone cream.

Mix milk and Marsala wine in a flat tray. Dip the biscuits in the milk mixture until they are a bit soft.

Place half the biscuit in a dish (about 23-25 cm) in diameter. Sprinkle half the almonds over. Spread 1/3 of the mascaponé cream on top. Then add the rest of the biscuits and the rest of the almonds on top. Top of with the remaining mascaponé cream and smooth the surface.

Cover the Tiramisu with plastic film and place in refrigerator for 2-3 hours.

Before serving, decorate Tiramisu with the white chocolate and strawberries.