Month: October 2021

Perfect Pancakes
Brunch · Sanctuary Ridge Family Recipes

Perfect Pancakes

Monica ScottLeave a comment
Add your favorite toppings!

Perfect Pancakes

Perfectly fluffy, delicious pancakes! I have to admit, I love to make these for dinner. Mornings are just too hectic, with all our different schedules, to try to have a big breakfast every day. So we usually have this for dinner instead of breakfast. It’s such a treat to prepare these and hear the exclamations of joy when they see breakfast on the dinner table! Just add eggs, bacon or sausage, and hash browns to complete the meal!

Because this recipe uses egg whites and baking powder, it can be made the night before! Most recipes use baking soda which will begin rising immediately and fizzle out overnight. To prepare this the night before, simply wait until morning to fold in the egg whites! Make sure you store the pre-made pancake batter in the refrigerator overnight!

The Secret Ingredient

I know it may sound strange, but there is a secret ingredient in this recipe that I feel I must explain.

Bananas.

Yes, you read that correctly. The secret ingredient is mashed bananas.

I am not exactly sure what possessed me to add mashed bananas, but I did and it makes these so so good. I will never make them any other way again. I’ve been doing this so long, I can’t even remember when the banana madness all began! Just trust me, this is the magic you need in the pancakes so just go with it!

The Recipe

This pancake recipe is so good. Of course, we all love different toppings and mix-ins, so feel free to sprinkle chocolate chips, blueberries, pecans, or other toppings into the batter as soon as you put it on the griddle to cook! Leave a comment if you love it!

Perfect Pancakes

Monica Scott
Deliciously light and fluffy texture makes this pancake irresistible!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Electric Griddle or Large Non-stick frying pan
  • Spatula
  • Kitchen Aid Mixer or electric mixer for beating egg whites
  • Large mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 2 eggs, separated egg whites will be beaten and folded in later
  • 1 cup Plain Flour
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 TBSP Baking Powder
  • 3/4 cup Milk *may need more if batter seems thick
  • 4 TBSP butter, melted
  • 1 TBSP granulated sugar
  • 1 ripe banana, peeled and mashed

Instructions
 

  • Sift dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
  • In a separate bowl or Kitchen Aid mixer, beat the egg whites until light and fluffy. It should resemble meringue. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, mix the egg yolks, milk, butter and banana.
  • Form a "well" in the center of the dry ingredients and slowly mix in the banana mixture until just combined. Carefully fold in the egg whites, gently so that they stay fluffy.
  • Cook like any other pancakes on a griddle or large non-stick frying pan. The optimal temperature for pancakes is 375 degrees or medium temperature on a cooktop. Place 1 cup of batter onto the griddle. Add toppings if desired. We love chocolate chips, blueberries or pecans. When batter begins to bubble it is time to flip! Serve warm with syrup.
Keyword breakfast, pancakes, sanctuary ridge farm family recipe

Copyright 2020– or current year, Sanctuary Ridge. Unattributed use of this material is strictly prohibited. Reposting and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Sanctuary Ridge with active link and direction to this original post.

Italian Meatloaf
Sanctuary Ridge Family Recipes

Italian Meatloaf

Monica ScottLeave a comment
Italian Meatloaf

Italian Meatloaf For the Win!

A few weeks ago, my siblings were sick with Covid and I wanted to prepare a couple of dinners to take and leave on their porch. Since your taste is so affected by this nasty virus, I asked if there was anything that sounded good to eat. They requested Meatloaf with mashed potatoes or my homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. (You can find the recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup here: https://sanctuary-ridge.com/2020/07/21/sanctuary-ridge-family-recipes-moms-chicken-noodle-soup/. )

I decided to just make both recipes. Since I was in the kitchen anyway, I doubled the recipes to feed both our families. After dropping Noah off for a couple of classes, I made the porch drop-off delivery and texted my family to let them know dinner was on their porch! I am happy to say that they came through the illness fine. I’ve spent many sleepless nights praying for family and friends lately as they battle for their lives. All I know to do is pray, drop off supplies on porches, and cook.

Traditional or Not?

I recently made Smoked Meatloaf, which was loaded with veggies like bell peppers, onions and garlic. The recipe for that can be found here: https://sanctuary-ridge.com/2021/09/03/sanctuary-ridge-family-recipes-smoked-meatloaf/. After serving the Italian Meatloaf, my husband and son wondered why it tasted so different. They LOVED the smoked meatloaf. The Italian Meatloaf is more traditional so they were surprised when I made it instead of the smoked meatloaf. I didn’t want to serve the new recipe to my brother and his family because when they asked for meatloaf, they were probably thinking of the more traditional version. We enjoyed the Italian Meatloaf, but our favorite so far is the smoked meatloaf.

The Recipe

Italian meatloaf

Garlic infused meatloaf with traditional Italian spices.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 8 people

Equipment

  • Foil Loaf Pan
  • Large Mixing Bowl and spoon
  • garlic press
  • Knife and cutting board or food processor

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves minced or pressed garlic
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 TBSP Fresh Basil, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup fine bread crumbs Panko Bread Crumbs
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese Add extra to the topping if desired.
  • 1/2 Jar Garlic Pasta Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, onion, garlic, egg, salt, bread crumb, Basil, parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
  • Shape the meatloaf and place in prepared foil loaf pan. Top with 1/2 jar of garlic pasta sauce. Cover with foil.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until internal temperature reaches at least 160 degrees.
  • Top with additional shredded parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Keyword Italian Meatloaf, Meatloaf, sanctuary ridge farm family recipe

Copyright 2020– or current year, Sanctuary Ridge. Unattributed use of this material is strictly prohibited. Reposting and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Sanctuary Ridge with active link and direction to this original post.

Chicken Enchiladas
Sanctuary Ridge Family Recipes

Chicken Enchiladas

Monica ScottLeave a comment
Chicken Enchiladas

Simply Delicious Dinner!

I love a simple recipe! Sometimes I forget about these easy-to-make dinners that my family loves. We have such a variety of meals that I rotate throughout the year, that sometimes I forget about these meals that are so quick to put together. Even with meals planned, sometimes I just search the pantry for ingredients and suddenly remember a long-forgotten recipe. This is one of those dishes that I tend to throw together without a recipe, so today I wrote everything down so I could share it with ya’ll! I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine!

The Recipe

Chicken Enchiladas

Monica Scott
Deliciously simple Chicken Enchiladas! Loaded with shredded chicken breast, authentic flavors and fresh ingredients that are sure to please your tastebuds.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • 9×12 baking dish or pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Spoon to stir
  • Can opener

Ingredients
  

  • 8 8 inch round Flour Tortillas
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
  • 1 10 1/2 oz canned cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 11 oz canned Mexican-Style Corn, drained
  • 1 can, Rosarita Enchilada Sauce Any brand is fine!
  • 1 Cup shredded, Pepper Jack Cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cooked chicken breast, sour cream, cream of chicken soup and drained Mexican-Style Corn.
  • Next, place 3-4 Tablespoons of the chicken mixture in the center of each flour tortilla. Fold 1/2 inch from each tortilla side and then bring the bottom of the tortilla up and roll into "enchiladas". Place each into the prepared baking dish/pan.
  • After rolling all the enchiladas, pour on the enchilada sauce. Top with shredded Pepper Jack Cheese. Cover with foil.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes. Serve immediately over black beans and rice!
Keyword Chicken Enchiladas, sanctuary ridge farm family recipe

Copyright 2020– or current year, Sanctuary Ridge. Unattributed use of this material is strictly prohibited. Reposting and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Sanctuary Ridge with active link and direction to this original post.

Cumberland Mountain State Park, TN
Sanctuary Ridge Adventures in Camping

Cumberland Mountain State Park, TN

Monica ScottLeave a comment
Kayaking the lake at Cumberland Mountain State Park

Cumberland Mountain State Park, TN

One of Tennessee’s best kept secrets is Cumberland Mountain State Park! Beauty abounds at this park! Take a stroll through the woods on a trail that winds beside a beautiful creek. Kayak or paddle boat on the lovely Lake Byrd and get a close up view of the stone arches located along the dam. Fishing, golfing, hiking and more await you at this secret getaway!

The campsites at Cumberland Mountain State Park are shady and most of them are pretty level. Only one loop in the campground has full hookups. The bath house facilities are clean and of course they offer a dump station. Playgrounds and picnic areas are located throughout the park. This park also offers Tennis, Basketball, and a pool for swimming in Summer. If you don’t want to camp, the park has cabins for rent too! You can even stay in one of the historic buildings on site! For more information check out their website at https://tnstateparks.com/parks/cumberland-mountain.

Selah Farms B&B

I highly recommend a stay at this local Bed and Breakfast! My dear friends, John and Reina, will make your stay as comfortable as possible while you explore the parks that are so close to their doorstep! Their B&B offers privacy in the separate space. Reina is an amazing cook too! Their farm is absolutely breathtaking! If you aren’t camping, I would definitely stay at Selah Farms B&B! Check out their listing here https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/11342086?source_impression_id=p3_1632400130_6tFfUDNd5PUCVRI6&guests=1&adults=1.

Crossville, Tennessee

Located in Crossville, Tennessee, this park has so much to offer for a weekend getaway. The small town of Crossville has a weekly flea market, local livestock sales, convenient grocery and fast food. If you are looking for local cuisine, the park offers a lodge style restaurant on the beautiful Lake Byrd. Trip Advisor has some great local suggestions too! Check those out here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/RestaurantsNear-g54986-d207251-Cumberland_Mountain_State_Park-Crossville_Tennessee.html. Also located nearby is Fall Creek Falls State Park!

Cumberland County Playhouse

An ever popular pastime is attending one of the wonderful productions at Cumberland County Playhouse! When my grandparents used to camp at Cumberland Mountain State Park, they always made time for a show. Every season a new production is offered! Check out their website for more information: https://ccplayhouse.com

Paved Trails

A wonderful, paved trail can be found across from the camping area that winds its way around Byrd Lake where you cross the wooden walking bridge that leads to the Paddle Boat and Kayak rental docks. You can explore the lake via kayak or paddle boat too!

The Walking Bridge at Cumberland Mountain State Park

Hiking

What are you waiting for? It’s a wonderful time of year to get out and explore the beautiful state of Tennessee!

Copyright 2020– or current year, Sanctuary Ridge. Unattributed use of this material is strictly prohibited. Reposting and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Sanctuary Ridge with active link and direction to this original post.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Brunch · Sanctuary Ridge Family Recipes

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Monica ScottLeave a comment
Chunky Monkey Bread- Also known as Banana Bread

Re-naming recipes is something I love to do! When I first started making Zucchini Bread, none of my children would even try it. I knew they would love it if they would just give it a taste, but alas the name involved a vegetable they had not yet come to love. So began my experiment in re-naming recipes. With so much cinnamon flavor, zucchini bread soon became known as Christmas Bread. All of my children loved Christmas Bread! Re-naming Banana Bread is just for fun, because everyone loves banana bread in my house. My family will PURPOSELY let the bananas get over ripe just so I HAVE to make a batch of this yummy bread. Chocolate chips add the “chunky” to the bread, unless of course you prefer pecans or blueberries. Sometimes I split the batter and make half blueberry/ half chocolate chip. This is a fun, easy recipe! Happy Baking!

Chunky Monkey Bread

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

Monica Scott
Deliciously rich Banana Chocolate Chip Bread! Easy to make and impossible to resist!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 3 medium loaves

Equipment

  • Prepared loaf pans- 3 medium or 2 large
  • Kitchen Aid Mixer or large mixing bowl and spoon to stir
  • measuring cups and measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 Cup vegetable shortening Don't use butter for this one!
  • 1 Cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup banana, ripe, mashed
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 cups plain flour
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream vegetable shortening and sugar until smooth.
  • Add remaining ingredients in order, stirring between each additional ingredient.
  • Prepare bread pans with non-stick spray and fill each 2/3 full with the banana bread batter.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of your bread pans. Insert a clean toothpick into the center of the bread- if it comes out "clean" it is done; "gooey" it needs more time. Just keep checking every 5 minutes until it is finished. Let cool on a cooling rack for 30 minutes before removing from the pan. Enjoy!
Keyword Banana Chocolate Chip Bread, sanctuary ridge family recipes

© Copyright 2020– or current year, Sanctuary Ridge. Unattributed use of this material is strictly prohibited. Reposting and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Sanctuary Ridge with active link and direction to this original post.

Brasstown Bald, GA
Sanctuary Ridge Adventures in Camping

Brasstown Bald, GA

Monica ScottLeave a comment
Brasstown Bald Overlook

Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains

“The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, and extends 550 miles southwest from southern Pennsylvania through Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia.”

They are called the Blue Ridge Mountains because from a distance, the mountains look blue in color. This is actually because of the isoprene released into the atmosphere from the trees!

Bald Mountain RV Resort

Bald Mountain RV Resort is a nice little resort, with both campsites and cabins for rent! Located near Lake Chatuge, it is a great jumping off point for sight seeing all around the area. The resort offers paddle boats, fishing, swimming pool, playgrounds, put-put, a camp store and a game room for the kids!

Most of the campsites are shady in this park! Our favorite campsite is by the creek where we can listen to the water rushing over the mountain stones. You really can’t go wrong in this resort! Make sure you plan ahead, as the park is closed for winter every year!

Bald Mountain RV Resort

There are lots of hiking trails nearby to explore nature too!

Call the RV resort at 706-896-8896. Their website is currently down!

So Much To See!

There are many things to do within one hour of the campground! The Bell Mountain Historic Site is just a short drive with stunning views of Lake Chatuge. The graffiti covered rocks and walkways make for an interesting climb to see the view. You may want to shield little eyes from some of the artwork! It’s a steep climb- both in your vehicle and once you arrive, but the views are amazing!

Helen, Georgia is also a short drive! This quaint little town is loaded with German charm, a step back in time that you don’t want to miss! Authentic German cuisine is offered at several restaurants. Check out the beautiful river that runs through the town, the local glass blowing craftsman, or one of the many local artisans. This little town in the Blue Ridge Mountains is Georgia’s third most visited town in the state! For more information, visit https://www.helenga.org/?utm_campaign=Branded+Keywords+-+State&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=helen%20ga&utm_content=2917811xCjwKCAjwybyJBhBwEiwAvz4G78Zc2CNhKS93sln2x8lTjSSiYLYBfl_feZpLwoqz84pQYNeR1_bOVhoC9-8QA.

Brasstown Bald- Georgia’s Highest Peak

Towering near the RV resort is Georgia’s Brasstown Bald! A steep trail & shuttle access this peak, Georgia’s highest, offering panoramic views from 4,784-ft. A visit here on a clear day will grant you views of four states! A small museum tells of the local history. There is a small fee to visit the site because you must take a shuttle to the viewpoint. Here is the website for more information:https://www.exploregeorgia.org/hiawassee/outdoors-nature/hiking/brasstown-bald-visitors-center-recreation-area.

Brasstown Bald Overlook

Mercier Orchard

One of our favorite orchards is located nearby! Visiting Mercier Orchard is a real treat! The expansive orchard grows most everything onsite and offers U-Pick events throughout the year! We love to pick strawberries here! The store has a great variety of items from fresh baked goods, homemade fudge, jellies and produce to unique gift items. My favorite is the fresh baked pies! The onsite restaurant is really great too! Here is the website for more information: https://mercier-orchards.co

This is the most beautiful time of year to visit this area with the colors of fall! Go on a great adventure this weekend!

© Copyright 2020– or current year, Sanctuary Ridge. Unattributed use of this material is strictly prohibited. Reposting and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Sanctuary Ridge with active link and direction to this original post.