Tag Archives: recipes

National French Toast Day November 28

Nation French Toast Day is November 28

Remember the orange popsicle filled with vanilla ice cream?  Who didn’t love them then and who doesn’t still love them now?  Here at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast we regularly order a case of fresh Organic Valencia Oranges to use in Orange Ricotta Pancakes, Fresh Orange Smoothies, Fruit Salads and more.  Recently I made this creamy French Toast with a Gluten Free White Bread but I prefer using a fresh Challah Bread.  Challah makes the best French Toast and when combined with cream cheese, vanilla and orange, a dreamy

Creamy Orange French Toast

In a small bowl cream together 1/2 tsp orange zest, 1 tsp sugar and 4 oz softened cream cheese

In another bowl Whip together:

  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • zest from a orange
  • juice from that orange
  • cup of milk
  • 2 Tbsp heavy cream
  • 2 tsp sugar

Spread the cream cheese mixture between two slices of bread.  I like to lay the sandwiches on a cookie sheet where the milk and egg mixture has been poured, flipping them after about 5 minutes.  The type of bread you are using will determine how long to soak.  Dryer bread a little longer that a very moist bread like Challah. Fry on a hot griddle until golden, about 3-5 minutes on each side.

Meanwhile, combine fresh orange juice from half an orange, 1/2 cup maple syrup and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract in a small sauce pot. Bring to simmer and take off heat.

Serve piping hot garnished with thinly slices oranges and a dusting of powdered sugar.

You can adjust this recipe to satisfy dietary needs.  I’ve used coconut or almond milk for lactose intolerant guests. A Vanilla Soy Creamer adds flavor. There are some very good non dairy cream cheese products available.

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

December is National Pear Month

Gingered Pear and Raspberry Pandowdy

A Gingered Pear and Raspberry Pandowdy made with famous Hood River Valley Pears.  The Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast is located in the Hood River Valley, the largest pear growing region in the nation. Many of our growers have cold storage units where we can pick up fresh pears almost all year round. This Gingered Pear and Raspberry Pandowdy has become a guest favorite.

Fruit Filling:

1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbs cornstarch
Pinch of fine sea salt
4 large pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 Tbs lemon juic
1 dry pint raspberries, fresh or frozen
1 Tbs cold butter, cut into small pieces

Preheat oven to 400°. Butter 4 small ramekins.
Fruit Filling: Rub the sugar, cornstarch and salt together in a large bowl, add pears and lemon juice and toss until evenly coated. Gently fold in raspberries and divide into ramekins. Dot with butter.

Biscuit:
1 3/4 cup flour
3 TBS plus 1 TBS sugar
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp fine salt
10 TBS cold butter
1/3 cup chopped candied ginger
2/3 cup plus 1 TBS cold buttermilk

Biscuit: Whisk together flour, 3 TBS sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter until the size of peas. Stir in the Candied ginger, pour in the 2/3 cup buttermilk and stir until the dry ingredients are moistened. The dough will be crumbly, with large pieces of butter still visible. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and gently press the dough together. Divide into four pieces and place atop the fruit. Brush the dough with the remaining buttermilk and sprinkle with remaining sugar.

Bake in the lower third of the oven for 30 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350° and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the juices are bubbly and thick. Allow to cool a bit before serving.

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are ready to share Oregon, its environment, culture, and heritage with you.  Get to know our State like a local. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape, a world class city experience, or a new spin on business travel,  you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance when staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

National Banana Split Day

National Banana Split Day August 25

Banana Split for breakfast?  How about this healthy, delicious and nutritious variation from the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast?  Oatmeal Breakfast Banana Split is a fun breakfast recipe that will kickstart your day with the energy you’ll need to power through exploring Oregon.

You’ll need about one cup of prepared oatmeal for each ‘split’.  Use your favorite oatmeal recipe making sure it’s on the thicker side.  You’ll be using a cookie or ice cream scoop to scoop into banana

  • Slice the banana lengthwise and lay in your bowl
  • Drop two or three scoops of oatmeal onto banana
  • Add fresh fruit.  Try peaches, pears , apples, and berries
  • Top with a tablespoon or two of Greek Yogurt
  • Sprinkle chocolate chips, hemp hearts and chia seeds
  • Drizzle with maple syrup or any fruit syrup
  • Don’t forget the Cherry on Top

The great thing about this meal is you can top this banana split oatmeal with whatever you like.  In the Hood River Valley we have an abundance of berries, cherries, stone fruit, apples and pears.  Try some fall flavors with pumpkin puree and seeds. Or go tropical with mangos, pineapple and oranges.  The options are virtually endless. You can use fresh fruit, frozen fruit, puree fruit.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

1 Comment
Dutch Baby Pancakes, a guest favorite at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast

Dutch Baby Pancakes, sometimes called German pancakes, Bismarks or Dutch Puffs.  According to Sunset magazine, February 1960, Dutch babies were introduced in the first half of the 1900s at Manca’s Cafe, a family-run restaurant that was located in Seattle, Washington.  While these pancakes are derived from the German Pfannkuchen, it is said that the name Dutch baby was coined by one of the owner’s daughters.

Whatever we want to call them they continue to be a welcomed breakfast dish at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast.  We serve them filled with fruits and berries from the Hood River Valley, a bit of fresh squeezed lemon, butter, powdered sugar, spices and syrups.

Ingredients ~ this will make one large baby or 6 individual.

  • 2/3 cup milk, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup packed all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 Meyer lemon, juiced
  • 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Your cooking vessel, whether it be individual ramekins or an 9-10″ oven proof pan, must be hot.  You wouldn’t cook a pancake on a cold griddle, right?  So I put butter in the cookware of choice and pop them in the oven while it is preheating and while I create the batter.

Blend milk, flour, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt together in a blender until batter is smooth.  When your cooking equipment is nice and hot, remove from oven,  brush butter around, making sure to get the sides, add batter and pop back in the oven.  Bake in the preheated oven until puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.  Brush with 1 tablespoon butter, drizzle lemon juice over the top, and dust with confectioners’ sugar

‘I mix it up a bit depending on the fruit available.  Maybe using almond or anise extract in place of vanilla when using blueberries and other berries.  Add a dollop of yogurt or whipped cream and sprinkle some toasted almond slivers or ground hazelnuts. Dust with cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg. Enjoy!’

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

National Peaches and Cream Day

National Peaches and Cream Day June 21

National Peaches and Cream Day is June 21 and the innkeeper of Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast shares a fond childhood memory and a recipe for Swedish Pancakes she serves at the inn.

‘Growing up, it was a struggle for my mom to get us out the door on the weekdays.  I really hate waking up, and my breakfast fare often suffered for it.  But on Sundays I could manage to get to the table because Dad was making breakfast before church.  His Swedish pancakes was a recipe from my mom’s Aunt Ann and we’d fill them with all sorts of stuff, not just the traditional lemon juice and powdered sugar.  I’ve taken this recipe and filled it with oh-so-sweet and juicy peaches and cinnamon mascarpone cream filling for this delicious breakfast for our guest.  Hope you enjoy and it gets you out of bed.’

Swedish Pancakes
6 each egg
4 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk

1.   Blend together the egg and melted butter until emulsified.  Add flour and sugar, blend until smooth.  Add milk slowly while whisking.

2.       Let batter rest 30 minutes. Heat pan over medium high heat and cook like a crepe.

Filling
8 ounces Mascarpone cheese
1 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp heavy cream
5-6 large ripe peaches, peeled and sliced

1.       Stir together the Mascarpone cheese, cinnamon and heavy cream.

2.       Fill each crepe with a schmear of the Mascarpone and peaches down the middle. Fold the crepe in half, then roll it up.

3.       Keep warm until serving.  This recipe makes 16 crepes, serving 5

Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast offers a peaceful retreat from adventure and the Willamette Valley below.  Perched on eight acres atop Chehalem Mountain overlooking the Willamette Valley and Coast Range, the inn’s four guest rooms and one suite, all with en suite bathrooms, offer a peaceful retreat between adventures with spectacular views of both mountain and valley.

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are ready to share with you their version of Oregon Culinary Tourism and Geotourism.  Get to know our State like a local; stay with one of our nearly 100 hosts in any one of our many regions. Experience romantic getaways, historic treasures, and tucked away rustic retreats.  Whether your trip is for a quiet escape to a quaint rural or coastal town, taking in Oregon Geotourism, for a World Class City experience, or for a new spin on business travel, you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance by staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

National Strawberry Shortcake

National Strawberry Shortcake Day

National Strawberry Shortcake Day was June 14 and the innkeeper of the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast shares a guest favorite

Shortcakes ~ this recipe will make 8 shortcakes.  The innkeeper stretches it a little, making 6 slightly larger cakes, making room for more whipped cream and berries, and perfect for the 6 guests that the Old Parkdale Inn can accommodate.

2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1 Tbs Grated lemon rind
1 Tbs baking powder
¼ teas salt
¼ cup chilled butter, cut into small pieces
¾ cup half and half
melted butter
2 teas sugar

Preheat oven to 450°
Shortcakes:  Whisk flour, sugar, lemon rind, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.  Cut in the chilled butter with a pastry blender until the mixture is a coarse meal.  Add half and half and stir just until moist. Don’t overwork the dough if you’re looking for tender shortcakes. Drop by large spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 15 minutes or until brown

You’ll want to mix your berries with 3 tablespoons sugar and a splash of lemon juice then refrigerate while juices develop, at least 30 minutes.  In Oregon and the Hood River Valley we are blessed with an abundance of berries: Oregon’s child the marionberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries being just a few.  Use the freshest ones you can find, mix it up.

Try adding a drop of almond extract to the bowl as you whip up some fresh cream.  Slice the Shortcake in half horizontally, spoon the berries with their juice onto each shortcake bottom. Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream and then the shortcake top.  Garnish with slivered and whole mint leaves, a little more whipped cream and a few more berries.

The Old Parkdale Inn is located in the Upper Hood River Valley on the north slope of Oregon’s tallest peak, Mt. Hood, in the quaint town of Parkdale.  Outdoor adventure, farms, wineries and fine dining are nearby. Three well appointed rooms with private baths offer complete privacy and the serene gardens are perfect for romantic and restful getaways.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

National Donut Day

National Donut Day is the First Friday in June – June 7, 2019

National Donut Day is the first Friday in June, June 7, 2019.  We hope you have a chance to try this delicious baked donut recipe shared by the innkeeper at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast.  Clean up is easier than with a fried version not to mention a bit less guilt-inducing!

Baked Pumpkin Donut

  • 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 tbs. vegetable oil
  • 2 tbs. butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp. maple extract
  • 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare your donut shaped baking pan with non-stick cooking spray
  • In a mixing bowl, add in the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, melted butter, granulated and brown sugars. Mix on medium until combined.
  • Add in both of the eggs and maple extract. Mix on medium until incorporated.
  • Add in the pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, salt and flour. Mix until just combined.

Use a piping bag, or spoon, to fill each donut cup about 3/4 full, making sure the center post is clear.  Innkeeper uses a 9 cavity donut silicone baking mold.  Bake until the donuts are a light golden brown and spring back when touched, 6-10 minutes.  Let cool slightly, flip pan over, glaze or roll in cinnamon sugar

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

National Buttermilk Biscuit

National Buttermilk Biscuit Day is May 14

National Buttermilk Biscuit Day is May 14 and the innkeeper at WildSpring Guest Habitat, a small eco-friendly resort with amazing Pacific Ocean views on Oregon’s south coast shares a guest favorite

Big Fluffy Biscuits:  Preheat oven to 475° and prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Mix together:
2 C flour
2 t baking powder
½ t baking soda
1 T (heaping) dark brown sugar
1 t salt
sprinkle cinnamon

Mix 1 cup cold buttermilk with 1 stick melted, unsweetened butter, stirring with a balloon whisk until butter clumps.  Let sit 5 minutes

Mix all ingredients, stirring just to moisten.

Use ¼  cup portion/ice cream scoop to drop biscuits on parchment paper. Sprinkle tops with white sugar.  Bake at 475° for 11 – 13 minutes.  The biscuits will will expand during cooking to be about 2 ½” diameter, and 1 ¼” high.

Peach Biscuit/Scones

Use the recipe above, with the following changes:  Add 1 can sliced peaches, drained well and chopped fine to the buttermilk/butter mixture

Fold into the flour mixture until well blended. (do not overmix)
Bake as directed above.

WildSpring Guest Habitat is a small, eco friendly resort in Port Orford and is the perfect location to use as your home base when visiting Oregon’s South Coast.   A member of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, WildSpring Guest Habitat sits on 5 secluded acres and offers luxury accommodations in a naturally beautiful environment. Five elegant cabin suites built like small homes are filled with with art and antiques and sit in a secluded, peaceful forest surrounded by 100-foot trees.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Eggs Benedict

Southwest Eggs Benedict from Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast

Eggs Benedict is an American brunch or breakfast dish that consists of two halves of an English muffin each of which is topped with Canadian bacon, a poached egg, and hollandaise sauce. Many variations on the basic recipe are served and this one from Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast is a bit out of the box and oh so delicious.

Southwest Eggs Benedict
Servings: 6

8 each saltine cracker, broken up
2 each garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
ground pepper to taste
2 cans black beans, canned, rinsed
6 each green onions, chopped
2 sprigs cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

In food processor, grind crackers well. Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper and blend well. Add one can of beans and blend well. Then add the second can, the green onions and cilantro and blend until just incorporated.  Add water, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach consistency to hold together without being too sticky. Form into 12, 3 inch round, ½ inch high patties.  Fry patties over medium high heat in vegetable oil, about 5 minutes per side.

To serve, arrange 2 patties per plate, spread a fan of avocado on each patty, place a poached egg on the avocado and top with the grated cheese. Garnish with tomato salsa or corn relish cilantro sprigs

Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast is perched on eight acres atop Chehalem Mountain overlooking the Willamette Valley and Coast Range. This B&B offers a peaceful retreat between adventures in the valley below.

The original recipe was from Maryana Vollstedt, The Big Book of Breakfast
with just a wee bit of change from the innkeeper at Chehalem Ridge.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

National Cherry Pie Day

National Cherry Pie Day

National Cherry Pie Day is February 20.  The Hood River Valley anticipates the Cherry Harvest, due to start around the first of July.  A little earlier in The Dalles Cherry Orchards.  Innkeepers at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast, in the heart of the Valley, will be making cherry crepes, cherry scones, cherry cobblers and of course placing big bowls of cold, crisp cherries on the table to nibble on before, during and after breakfast.

Although this is not a cherry pie, this tart is a favorite at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast in the Hood River Valley.

1 cup (1/2 lb.) butter, at room temperature
2 large egg yolks
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 pounds fresh cherries, rinsed and pitted
2 Tbs. quick-tapioca
1 Tbs. lemon juice

In a bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat butter with 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in egg yolks. Stir in flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt until well blended. Divide dough in half. Press one portion over bottom and up sides to rim of a 9-inch tart pan with removable rim. Place other portion on a lightly floured piece of waxed paper. Set aside.
In another bowl, mix cherries, tapioca, lemon juice and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes as you roll out second portion of dough with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 10-inch round.

Pour cherries into tart shell. Invert round over cherries. Press edges into rim of tart pan, pinching off any excess. Sprinkle tart lightly with sugar.
Place tart pan on a baking sheet and bake on the lower rack of a 375 degree over until top is golden brown, about 35-40 minutes.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.